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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 quickly, 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 desktop searches on Windows Vista and Windows 7, while 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.
Flexible, powerful, and lightweight, Thunderbird 3 is an appropriate companion to 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. 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 1.9.1.5 platform including some major re-architecting to provide improved performance, stability, web compatibility, and code simplification and sustainability.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0.0.23 has fixed security issues.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 1,192 votes
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Current version:
2.9 starsout of 87 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"TB 3 a non-starter"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Don't know.
Cons
Cannot import address book from Windows Mail, which makes TB3 a non-starter for me. Very disappointing.
Summary
Inability to import address book from Windows Mail makes TB3 a non-starter for me. Very disappointing.
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"So slow in the latest version I have given up on it."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Does just about everything one would need.
Cons
As above, so slow. Seemed to be continually indexing . Never thought I would change to another email client, but that is what it has forced me to do!
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"Well, it@s a step forward in most ways."
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
It's fairly quick to load and stacks up ok.
Cons
Takes a long time to index files, to what advantage? Tabs are in the wrong place - last version was best. doesn't have the capacity of the previous version.
Summary
Guess I'll have to get used to it. I hate having to learn new updates when they move familiar things around. New additions for safety and security are good.
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"hi every you must now update thunderbird to 3.0.1"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
looks good
Cons
needs to start up faster
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"nice e mail client"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
still "divorced " from the other mozilla products
Cons
still "divorced " from the other mozilla products
Summary
nice client. perhaps a (n) possible improved integration(s).
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"Good alternative to Outlook!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Ease of use.
Cons
None that I know.
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"I don' like it !"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Nothing jumps to mind
Cons
Knows better than I do how I want my mail handled (or so the developers imagine).
Summary
I am a long time user of Thunderbird but I will stick with version 2. I like programs that are evolutionary. Unless my particular set up is in some way unusual this latest version has changed things for no particular reason. It appears to be unstable.
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"works for my needs"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
works well with most search engines , clean design and function
Cons
I find no problems with the program as I use it.
Summary
for me it works better and and easier than IE.
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"horrible!!!!"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Only thing good about it, is you can now import yahoo if they can get the filters and folders to work, had to go back to Thunderbird 2 in the meantime.
Cons
I have multiple gmail accounts and have many filters to to group everything in its folders. Thunderbird 3 put a couple of my emails in the folders, others it put in the inbox, others got put in the archives, and others put in the all mail. Just BAD!
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"Fantastic Email Client"
Version: Mozilla Thunderbird 3.0
Pros
Can handle multiple email address like a charm. Unlike Microsoft Outlook that is more of a personal information manager instead of an email manager Thunderbird can treat each of your individual email address totally separate. Very smooth GUI
Cons
Version 3.0 (at the date that i'm writing this) is still lacking support in many 3rd party plugins. For example Google Calendar sync or the more popular task scheduler plugins do not function in version 3.0
Summary
Over all Version 3.0 is a very impressive upgrade from 2.0. For people that need to manage multiple email address Thunderbird is light years beyond Microsoft Outlook Professional a software package that is over a hundred dollars by itself. Unfortunately the lack of third party plugins is forcing me to give this 4 stars instead of 5. For my business I need the more advance features of the plugins found in version 2.0 such as the calendar plug in, priority lists, and advance contact management. I can easily see Version 3 being a real contender to Microsoft Outlook for business once the third party plugins start to support the new Thunderbird V3.0
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