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Mozilla's Thunderbird comes into its own with version 2.0, offering features and innovations that take aim at both Web mail clients and industry standards like Microsoft's Outlook.
The program 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 POP, IMAP, and Microsoft Exchange server support. Security features include S/MMIE, digital signing, message encryption, and a built-in phishing detector. Interface tweaks maximize message viewing, an obvious necessity in an e-mail reader.
What makes this freeware e-mail client such a serious contender are the new features. Back and forward buttons, like you have in your Web browser, let you jump through messages in the order that you viewed them. Customizable tag names and colors make it a cinch to keep things organized, even across dozens of message folders. The folder pane is customizable. Gmail and Mac users will find configuration as simple as entering your e-mail address and password, with rumored support forthcoming for other Web-based providers. Search results can be saved, and Thunderbird has Firefox's extension capability, allowing for user-designed tweaks that greatly enhance the program.
Flexible, powerful, and lightweight, Thunderbird 2 is an appropriate companion app to Mozilla's Firefox in every way.
New search and tabs take flight in Thunderbird 3: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 so you can get back to reading your mail. Thunderbird provides effective tools for detecting junk mail. Its 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 2.0.0.12 is a security-fixing release.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0.0.12 is a security-fixing release.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 1,193 votes
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Current version:
3.8 starsout of 24 votes
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My rating:
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"Very vulnerable and difficult to back up."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
Not brilliant but it did a very basic job and I used it for over two years. It promptly imported all my email accounts and messages from Outlook (something which outlook is unable to do, hence change only if you can trust Thunderbird). Unusual search function which is different from Outlook.
Cons
Not as flexible or easy to configure as Outlook Express (e.g. cannot start by going into inbox).
Woke up this morning to see all my emails (since 1999) have disappeared. It started by asking me to set an account. No trace of the thousands of emails that I had. This could never happen with outlook. I have an up to date AVG antivirus, Adaware, Zonealarm Firewall..etc. None seemed to have stopped this attack!
A very sad lesson to potential users: stick to OUTLOOK until Thunderbird becomes less vulnerable. I wish Outlook would include a utility to import all emails from Thunderbird. This would help many to go back to the safer option!
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"Almost perfect...."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
Very practic, no too much manual to read, and its reliable.
Cons
If U have more than one eMail account it cant tell you from what account you get it, just - Boss here is some eMails, but you will probably guess from who it is. And, by the way, you can not minimize it to try and let it be in stand-bay stage like services, so you must minimise it to taskbar, and hold RAM memory still working for it.
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"Nice face, shame about the legs"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
Almost everything you would expect from an email program.
Cons
...except that email storage manipulation, moving and backup requires specialised knowledge, use of the command line and other nonsense. Even the lowly Outlook Express does a better job on this count. If the makers of this program dont give a damn about sensible, simple and coherent email storage then thats your signal to give this program a pass.
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"IT's OK but...."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
It's free
It's Customizable
Lot of extra functions
Cons
It doesn't support hotmail. I had to download like 3 stupid add ons and when i finally able to use hotmail, i could only receive messages but i couldnt send anything. Kept asking for a password that is not even the one i use to log in. Works fine with GMAIL
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"Simple and easy to use"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
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"Goodbye - Outlook!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
It's so great that I've given up to use Outlook. TB meets everything I need!
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"Start to use it, it's wonderful!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
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"Has issues with importing other types of e-mail formats, like it's own! HELP!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
Seems less likely to virus attacks. Multi cut and paste and delete is nice.
Cons
I guess I need to read up on this but I have never been able to import my old Thunderbird e-mail files into my current Thunderbird program. In fact, there isn't even a choice on the import file type list that says "Thunderbird". When I get the importer program to sniff around in a folder that has my old backed-up files in them it can't see them as any type of file. It just sees the folder as empty.
Can some one post here and tell me what the magic trick is to import Thunderbird e-mail files from a backup folder to the current program?
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"Better than Outlook"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
Works great. Interface is easy to use and has a lot of high end configuration ability under the cover.
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"A small smooth aplication"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 2.0.0.12
Pros
The software runs smoothly
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