Current version of Thunderbird -- really OK now

jimbo45 · Mar 1, 2023

Hi folks

after the last time I tried Thunderbird it was on its knees and about to be dropped. Current developers must be given credit for reviving it and making this a great FREE email client without all the B/S of having to pay for more than 1 account, being able to use exchange servers, hassle in setting up private email servers that don't appear in databases so endless problems with "Automatic set up" options with no manual settings.

It works very well now -- but the config still needs work as to get it "just right" -- a lot of the configuration options are either hidden or not easily accessible at all.

So for User --- 9/10, for set up still only around 6/10 but it does work and if you are using a non windows machine it saves having to logon o a Windows VM to use Ms Office outlook or similar. Interface on both Windows and Linux is identical and it works perfectly on latest insider builds of W11.

Cheers
jimbo

GCG1000 · Mar 1, 2023

Jimbo-
I've been using Thunderbird for years, without any major issues. The developers have made great strides with integrating TB's calendar. Glad you're getting better results with TB.

Cheers.

Edwin · Mar 1, 2023

First play with Thunderbird 'Supernova UI' to be released as version 115 in July of 2023...

trevo · Mar 1, 2023

Here's a link should anyone want to help fund development and keep it free for business and personal use.

Give to Thunderbird | Give to Thunderbird

I gave to @mozthunderbird today to #freetheinbox. Join me to support communication privacy.

give.thunderbird.net

Quandary · Mar 1, 2023

Great email client. I have been using it for years, and make a contribution annually.

safron · Mar 2, 2023

We've been using Thunderbird on our devices for years. Beside Outlook, it's the most powerful desktop client I know of - highly configurable, multiple accounts, well maintained, and yes, free.

jimbo45 · Mar 2, 2023

It really is so much better now -- my original beef was that there was no way (or a very convoluted) way to manually install accounts if you had non standard mail servers or mail servers with character sets not supported by standard Thunderbird language options.

Seems really good now --I hope the developers keep on with the project -- At one time it was almost "Dead on the ropes".

Definitely not "Blunderbird" any more.

Just watch though that slight hiccup when SENDING emails from whatever account that the SENT MAIL goes into the right account and not the "Default one".

However it's fixable as I've posted -- and of course Open source is FREE -- doesn't have the zillions of USD / EUR etc that Ms can throw at Ms office developers (or the share holders).

Nice to see many people still using it on Windows -- on Linux it's been the "Real Go to" email app for years -- things like KMAIL, and EVOLUTION just don't hack it any more (Windows users you won't know about those usually but most Linux users may have messed around with those at some time or other).

Anyway "'nothing more to be said" --other than for a really tiny fast email client try the Windows port of Claws email -- you can't compare it with Thunderbird but just give it a whirl -- on a low specc'd laptop it might just do the trick.

Cheers
jimbo

Edwin · Mar 15, 2023

The New version is comin along nicely...

Edwin · Apr 30, 2023

Thunderbird Supernova beta 5

jimbo45 · May 1, 2023

Edwin said:
Thunderbird Supernova beta 5

View attachment 59130

@Edwin

Thanks for the link

even available in Icelandic -- hardly the most widely spoken language on the planet !!!

Am installing the beta on Linux first -- I've got Ms Office (a cheap version !!!!) that's still OK and updating properly so I'll stick with that on Windows.

Cheers
jimbo

Edwin · May 14, 2023

trevo · May 14, 2023

Edwin said:
View attachment 60104

How stable do you find the beta channel?

dlross · May 14, 2023

It's great to see it being actively supported now. I went to Thunderbird when I dropped MS Office for Libre Office and find it works very well for me. Don't forget to send them a contribution every once in a while. Doesn't have to be much and I'm sure it's appreciated. Looking forward to the new version.

safron · May 14, 2023

I really do appreciate Thunderbird. One thing they've done which drives me nuts, however, is threading messages by default, with now global setting to disable. After every (?) upgrade I find my hundred or so folders are now threaded, and must me set individually to non-threaded. What a royal pain!

Edwin · May 14, 2023

trevo said:
How stable do you find the beta channel?

There was a couple glitches in b112 and b113 but, this one seems pretty solid!
I really like the clean UI.

trevo · May 14, 2023

Edwin said:
There was a couple glitches in b112 and b113 but, this one seems pretty solid!
I really like the clean UI.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

Edwin · May 14, 2023

Edwin said:
I really like the clean UI.

Wisewiz · May 15, 2023

@Edwin @jimbo45

I'm not sure I get the version diff's I'm seeing here and on my own install, even given that some of you are using Beta versions: My fresh, new install (portable, though) is version 102.11.0, while I'm seeing 113, 114, 1nd 115 in posts here. Is there to be a closed gap in version numbers in the next month or two, as new features are made ready? Will I jump from, say, 102 to 110 or so in one fell swoop?

Wisewiz · May 15, 2023

@Edwin @jimbo45

If I install the beta from the link in #9 above, will I have to start all over again with new settings and with new approvals from GMail, or will the beta get my stuff from the current (portable) installation, which has the full Profiles folder in Users ... Roaming ... Thunderbird ... Profiles ??

Whatcha think?

trevo · May 15, 2023

Wisewiz said:
@Edwin @jimbo45

If I install the beta from the link in #9 above, will I have to start all over again with new settings and with new approvals from GMail, or will the beta get my stuff from the current (portable) installation, which has the full Profiles folder in Users ... Roaming ... Thunderbird ... Profiles ??

Whatcha think?

I downloaded and installed the Beta and copied the full contents of my profile folder into the beta default folder.

All settings were intact and I could use it just like the stable version.

I still have the stable version installed currently and the two subsist independently.

I don't use the Portable version, so can't speak for that scenario.