I mentioned Outlook because Outlook is more than a simple SMTP/POP3/IMAP client when connected to an Exchange server: It can change server settings, so you can configure a forward rule on the server. Most other combinations of mail servers and mail clients do not have this feature, at least not natively.

Regarding god-like sys-admins: Comes with the territory. ;-) I'll never forget the day I told and proved my wannabe-gods that anyone inside the university could read and write any home directory of any student, any assistant, and any professor, including the mail directories. It really scared the hell out of them, and they never managed to completely fix the problem.

Alexander