gistfile1.rb

  def recent_messages(batch = 250, uid = nil)
    get_connection.select('INBOX')

    if uid
      last_seen = get_connection.uid_fetch(uid, 'ENVELOPE').first.seqno
    else
      last_seen = get_connection.responses['EXISTS'].first
    end

    if last_seen > batch
      mid_range = ((last_seen - batch)..last_seen)
    else
      mid_range = (0..last_seen)
    end

    envelope_data = get_connection.fetch(mid_range, ['ENVELOPE', 'UID'])

    messages = []
    envelope_data.each do |m|
      uid = m.attr['UID']
      m = m.attr['ENVELOPE']
      messages << {
        :date         => Time.parse(m.date).to_i,
        :from_address => [m.from.first.mailbox, m.from.first.host].join('@'),
        :subject      => m.subject,
        :uid          => uid
      }
    end
    return messages
  end