CNET Editors' review
Despite perceptions to the contrary, the desktop-based e-mail client is not dead. Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0 is a serious reaction to the prevalence of Web mail, so whether you're looking for a strong desktop client, an Outlook replacement, or a powerful tool for managing archives and Web mail offline, Thunderbird can scale to your needs.
Outlook users will notice the speed and responsiveness of the program, which loads fast, even when weighed down by multiple folders and RSS feeds, and the basic feature set remains intact: good junk mail filters, HTML support, multiple identities, and robust Web mail, POP, IMAP, and Microsoft Exchange server support. Security features include S/MIME, digital signing, message encryption, and a built-in phishing detector. Add-ons, based on the same code as Firefox's add-on network, can enhance your security even further.
Joining such useful features as the back and forward e-mail browsing buttons and customizable tags in version 3.0 are a set of must-have features. The powerful search tool integrates results with Spotlight desktop searches, along with Growl notifications and integration with the OS X address book. Tabs reinforce the connections between Web browsing and e-mail reading. In fact, the new search tool is so powerful that if you have a massive number of e-mails, you may want to set it to index them overnight lest it drain system resources from other programs. Gmail support especially has been revamped, so you now get an All Mail folder in Thunderbird, among other improvements. Mozilla's new Personas skins work in Thunderbird, while the Lightning add-on supplies the missing Microsoft Exchange-compatible calendar feature.
Mac users looking for a solid alternative to Entourage will find Thunderbird to be a flexible and feature-rich choice.
Watch the CNET video review of Mozilla Thunderbird beta:Publisher's Description
From Mozilla:
Thunderbird makes e-mailing safer, faster, and easier with such features as intelligent spam filters, a built-in RSS reader, and quick search. Thunderbird was designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail. Thunderbird 3 includes tabbed e-mail, new search tools and indexing, "smart" folders, support for Firefox's Personas, a simplified setup wizard, and robust junk protections that include phishing and spam filters. Thunderbird 3 is based on the Gecko 1.9.2 platform including some major re-architecting to provide improved performance, stability, web compatibility, and code simplification and sustainability.
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All versions:
3.1 starsout of 72 votes
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Current version:
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"Repeatedly asks password"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 12.0b2
Pros
Love it when it works but it doesn't
Cons
1. Keeps asking for password.
2. Says it is sending to send mail but doesn;tSummary
Stinks. I prefer gmail
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"keeps getting better is a good replacement."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 11.0b5
Pros
Fast and efficient at what it does.
Cons
Its nit-picking I no but its my pet pee. You can't choose a font size only small to large. There are lots of times I need to pick a size 11 or I need to no what size it is and you can't. Fix this and I can switch from apple mail to thunderbird.
Summary
Still its a very good replacement.
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"How about an update?"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 10.0b2
Pros
Continuously improving
Cons
Almost every new version breaks add-ons / extensions
Summary
I really think Seth Rosenblatt, anyone, should write a new review of Thunderbird. Here we are downloading betas in Version 10, and the most recent CNET review is for Version 3?
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"Can't import settings from AppleMail"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 6.0b2
Pros
none
TrallalaCons
The only program it is aware of is Eudora. Come on people! Why can't i import setting from AppleMail? Mailsmith can do it, it has other problems but at least it can do it. It is 2011, I will not manually import email settings from one app to another.
Summary
Stuck with AppleMail.
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"GREAT PROGRAM! EASILY MIGRATED DATA FROM EUDORA."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.11
Pros
Installed easily on my Mac, running Lion 10.7. I was easily able to migrate data from Eudora 6 into Thunderbird.
Cons
In the Mac Library, Thunderbird consumes about twice the space of Eudora 6.
Summary
August 3, 2011
I initially installed Thunderbird 5.0, but had a problem sending mail using its SMTP server settings. So I trashed T-bird 5.0 and installed T-bird 3.1.11 and the SMTP server worked with no problem.
Shortly after the installation, Mozilla automatically notified me that an update to T-bird 3.1.11 was available. This update was to T-bird 5.0. I downloaded the update and everything converted from 3.1.11 to 5.0 with no problem.
I then used a third-party Eudora migration tool (located via Google search) to convert and transfer data from Eudora 6 into Thunderbird. All data, including 19 different mailbox files, seamlessly migrated Eudora data perfectly on the first try.
So far, I'm pleased with Thunderbird. It's on four of my Mac machines in one location. When I travel to another state, I'm going to install it on five machines there. -
"A fantastic program"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.11
Pros
Easy to use and takes so little space on the page.
Cons
None that I can think of so far.
Summary
I recommend it to all of my friends.
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"Pretty Easy To Use - Some Hiccups..."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.10
Pros
Simple Setup. Setting up multiple email accounts from scratch is very easy.
Cons
Difficulty transferring data/settings from other email programs; Additional issues transferring data to/from Mac and Windows releases. Gave up and went back to Outlook.
Summary
I do like the look of the interface and overall ease of operation.
Read more: Mozilla Thunderbird for Mac - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Downloads http://download.cnet.com/Mozilla-Thunderbird/3000-2367_4-10207484.html?tag=api/&tag=nl.t701#submitReview#ixzz1Ntg58kwL -
"overwhelming amt of problems with 3.1.10"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.10
Pros
none none none
Cons
empty messages arrive, difficulty in deleting even though settings are correct, general disruption of receiving, reading email, some difficulties sending ARRRGH!
Summary
bring back an older version if you are unable to get this one to work properly. MAJOR issues.
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"version 3.1.10 doesn't find my email servers"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.10
Pros
up to versionn 3.1.9 everything is ok.
Cons
I cannot login to any of my mail accounts (aol,yahoo,hotmail,gmail). Server internal errors, etc.
Summary
I went back to version 3.1.9 where all works perfect again.
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"MAC version still not ready for prime time"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird beta 3.1.9
Pros
Tabbed windows built-in
Improved HTML editor
Incorporated "mismatched" domain checking
Built-in advanced configuration editorCons
Tabbed windows built-in
Does not bounce dock icon as in v2
Folders do not display unread messagesSummary
Tabbed windows - love them or hate them, you've got 'em. There is a hidden advanced configuration setting to at least hide tabbed windows. I never saw the point on a mail client and it should be an option. It takes up a lot of room on the screen.
My biggest gripe - They broke every way there is to know about new mail. Come 'on people, it's a mail client. The first and most important thing it's got to do is send and receive email. Version 2 used to bounce the dock icon forever until you gave the application focus. Version 3 bounces it once, maybe twice. If you blink, you'll miss it. If that's not bad enough, they've introduced bugs to the folder display which kill the new mail indicators. If you are like me and have two dozen folders to sort incoming email you could loose new mail forever - NOT what I desire in an email client program. Version 2 might have its quirks but I'd rather use a quirky program which tells me when I have new mail.
Skip the fluff. Work on new email notification bugs first.
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