CNET Editors' review
Formerly known as the e-mail component of the Mozilla Web browser, Thunderbird now exists as a stand-alone, full-featured client. The recently stripped-down code feels leaner and more focused than the original Mozilla component. In terms of features, the program is comparable to or exceeds other products in this space, boasting good junk-mail filters, compatibility with RSS feeds, HTML support, and multiple identities. Thunderbird handles both POP and IMAP accounts admirably, but we would like to see greater support for Microsoft's Exchange server. The program also boasts stellar security features such as S/MMIE, digital signing, and message encryption. Visually ahead of the game, Thunderbird's interface is a joy to use, and the application now lacks the sluggishness that plagued pervious versions. We also like the layout options, which allow us to view our mail in various columned arrangements. Other little perks include message searching, saved-search folders, import tools, smart-address completion, labels, and return receipts. Though the lack of full Exchange support will keep this e-mail app on the sidelines in the corporate world, home users looking for an alternative to Outlook Express will absolutely find Thunderbird a high-flying choice. Watch the CNET video review of Mozilla Thunderbird:
Publisher's Description
From Mozilla:
Thunderbird makes e-mailing safer, faster, and easier than ever before with the industry's best implementations of features, such as intelligent spam filters, a built-in RSS reader, and quick search.
Thunderbird gives you a faster, safer, and more productive e-mail experience. Thunderbird was designed to prevent viruses and to stop junk mail so you can get back to reading your mail. Thunderbird provides the most effective tools for detecting junk mail. Our tools analyze your e-mail and identify those that are most likely to be junk. You can automatically have your junk mail deleted or you can put it in a folder you specify, just in case you like reading junk mail. View your e-mail the way you want it. Access your e-mail with Thunderbird's new three-column view. Customize your toolbar, change its look with themes, and use Mail Views to quickly sort through your messages.
Version 1.0.5 improves security.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 1,132 votes
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Current version:
3.9 starsout of 26 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"3 in 1"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
Write, read and reply your e-mails, join newsgroups and follow the blogs and the news by the RSS. Are you bored of spams? Or are you one of the users who likes to change the view of the programs? Spam filter is working perfectly and saving you from spams. With extensions and themes, Thunderbird becomes more beautiful and more powerful.
Cons
It is addictive, this is the only con.
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"Very good"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
Have usued thunderbird for several months now and its great. Fast and secure But COURIER email is now free and really it is the prime client in my book. You should check them both out and get whats best for you
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"okay, but not useful to hotmail users."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
its a brilliant programme, very nice interface.
Cons
does not retrieve hotmail, i have tried all the programmes, all the possible extensions, i ended up with more programs on my computer! if the whole point is to get rid of outlook (i would love to do that) then there should be a worthy challenger, a program that can "at least" do everything outlook does, and on that thunderbird fails, if you got a pop3 mail and would like to ditch outlook, then this is the one for you, but if you got hotmail, then forget it, its just a waste of time.
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"Good & simple I like it..."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
It seems better than outlook evenif there is no more option like outlook
Cons
Making problem in offline mode, and take time to load.
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"Who needs Outlook?!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
Great program! As a Mozilla fan, i use it every single day. And there is no need for something else, believe me. He's fast, user friendly and you can do all what you need. Simply, you need to have this!
Cons
Tricky to make your account if you get used to Outlook, but try to recall: This GREAT stuff isn't Outlook. Few minor bugs, but nothing much.
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"THIS is the one I use"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
I have been using this for a while now and just like Firefox is an excellent browser, this is an excellent e-mail program. Great replacement for Outlook or Outlook Express. You can customize the appearance with themes and add features through the ever growing list of extensions. Simply put, it works great and has all of the features that I need.
Cons
Starting the program could be a little faster.
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"Peice of garbage!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
NONE
Cons
I hate this program! I was looking for an alternative to Outlook but this program has to many bugs. Although it does successfully retreive my email, I constantly get a pop 3 error message.
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"A more secure and stable Mail and News reader than MsOutlook or Outlook Express"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
A secure and stable Mail and News reader. With MsOutlook and Outlook Express, I face security exploits all the time, cause anything that is downloaded to your PC is a security risk, the same level of exploits with temporary Internet files, but Thunderbird's file formats are not easily exploited, cause little is known on its hidden files, it is however not perfect, but for a free product, it rates best for stability and security.
Cons
Very rigid in design, with not as much customisation as Microsoft's products, especially the way it handles login IDs and passwords.
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"A nice replacement for Outlook Express"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Pros
I've been using Thunderbird as my default e-mail program for about a month with no problems. To be very honest with you, though, I really haven't seen any difference between the two programs. It's as good as Outlook, but I can't say it is better. If you hate Big Brother,((Microsoft) I'm sure you will love Thunderbird. Try it, it's free!
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"bad UI"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 1.0.6
Cons
It didn't trim a space at the end of the server name, so it wouldn't connect and I wasted time trying to figure it out. Then a POP account login failed and I can't figure out how to change the password.
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