- Quick specs
- Price: Free
- Operating system: Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000
- Date added: July 14, 2008
- Total Downloads: 27,517
- Downloads last week: 176
- See full specifications
A newer version of Lightning is available.
(Download doesn't provide access to previous versions of this program.)
- CNET editors' rating: stars
- Average user rating: stars out of 28 votes
See all user reviews
CNET editors' review
Reviewed by: CNET Staff
Lightning makes Thunderbird soar above Outlook for home use, and places it on nearly equal ground in the office. It includes an overhauled interface with easy-to-use buttons for jumping between email and your calendar, LDAP directory support for event invites, and Sun Java Calendar Server support.
Work on the plug-in is now handled by Mozilla as they prepare to integrate its code into Thunderbird for the big version 3 update coming later this year, but that doesn't mean the plug-in isn't ready for prime-time now. A menu bar for switching between mail and calendar views can live either above or below the folder tree on the left. On the right side of the main pane is a new panel for quickly viewing and managing events and tasks. Option-heavy, it can show only events, only tasks, both, or hide the pane completely, as well as make changes to and create new events and tasks.
Events are searchable at the calendar top. Just below it is a hideable pane showing upcoming events in a spreadsheet format. There are built-in presets for the next seven, 14, and 31 days, and they can be arranged by start date, end date, title, location, and calendar. Lightning supports multiple calendars, including iCal, and has bidirectional support for Google Calendar with the Provider for Google Calendar plug-in.
There is also support for Exchange servers, although for enterprise use fans of Thunderbird/Lightning will likely have to talk to their tech support teams to get the servers configured properly. That, of course, is the biggest drawback compared to Outlook. Old bugs relating to timezone management and invitation responses have been eliminated, though, making this add-on an absolute requirement for all users, both at home and in the office.
Publisher's description
From Mozilla Calendar Project :Lightning is an extension for Mozilla Thunderbird that adds an integrated calendar to the e-mail client. It is based on the standalone Mozilla Sunbird calendar application. Lightning includes the Daylight Savings Time (summer time) changes passed by the U.S. legislature in 2005.
Version 0.8 introduces a task mode, a new icon set and reworked menu structure, an event list, a totally overhauled alarm dialog, and several performance fixes.
What's new in this version:
Lightning 0.8 introduces a task mode, a new icon set and reworked menu structure, an event list, a totally overhauled alarm dialog, and several performance fixes.
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User reviews of Lightning 0.8
- Average user rating: 3.2 stars out of 28 votes
- My rating: 0 stars Write review
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Showing 5 of 13 user reviewsSee all 13 user reviews
This software version | All versions -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Lightning 0.8
"Doesn't install with Firefox 3.0"
Cons: you apparently need firefox to install xpi files (which this is) and it doesn't install for Firefox 3.0.
Summary: null
It looks like you CAN install this plugin if you're using Firefox 3.0. If the above "Download Now" link doesn't work, I had to visit http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/ ... read more >>
Updated on Sep 4, 2008 -
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
Version: Lightning 0.8
"And just how do you install this?"
Pros: Can't say a whole lot since it won't install
Cons: There must be some deep dark secret about installing this because Windows and Thunderbird don't recognize it.
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Version: Lightning 0.8
"Works well for tasks, I use it for my daily to do tasks."
Pros: The task portion works well, its simple easy and right there with my mail.
Cons: The event portion of the program is weak from the point of not being able to modify category names and colors. I use Sunbird for that. I hope with the scheduled update later in the year it is a really great program. A fully functional Sunbird integrated into Thunderbird would be perfect.
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Version: Lightning 0.8
"The addon is not for Firefox"
Pros: I have no use for it, but several people had problem with this add-on which is for Thunderbird, and not Firefox. I have TB2.0.0.16, and I installed it like any other add-on. The file was downloaded to the Desktop, and I brought up Tools|Add-ons. then dragged and dropped the .xpi in the add-on manager. No problem.
Not compatible with TB3.0b1, and SM2.0a1.
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Version: Lightning 0.8
"Integrates a calendar into Thunderbird! Wonderful."
Pros: Easy to load and easy to use. Multiple calendars is a plus.
Cons: First several attempts to incorporate a web based calendar did not work well.
- See all 13 user reviews Write review
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