Comments on: Three cheers for portable Thunderbird

Portable Thunderbird--the best type of bird.

[WayneEdmondson]

Portable Thunderbird

Good tip.. how does the portable version handle updates to the core application and/or add-ons? Do you know of any issues with the portable version and the Lightening calendar add-on? Will the Lightening calendar data also be stored within the same single folder? Finally, why wouldn't the Mozilla Foundation use the simple portable concept in the first place?

[Jim Hubbard]

One major drawback.....

...has always been the complete lack of a calendar component. While Mozilla had put out Sunbird as a calendar app, they have recently orphaned the project - sending it out into open source to fend for itself - exactly the opposite of what should have been done which is a merging of Thunderbird and Sunbird to have a true Outlook slayer.

[Jim Hubbard]

Please look before you reply.....

Lightening (available at https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/2313) is not even compatable with Firefox 2.0.0.5+. so, no, lightening is NOT an alternative to Sunbird at this time.

[tenc21]

Portable Thunderbird, the best...DUH!!!!!

There is no software of any kind that will fulfill the requirements of every user to the degree desired. So, while some may feel portable Thunderbird is notably lacking a calendar component, others look at the positives and can live with that shortcoming, not finding that omission such a big deal.

In fact, IMHO it is belaboring the obvious to tout Thunderbird and its portability when any techie geek worth his/her pen filled pocket protector already knows it's no contest--Thunderbird wins hands down. DOUBLE DUH!!!!

[mhinnewyork]

Replying to reader comments/questions

The portable version of Thunderbird updates itself the same way as the normally installed version. Of course, updating any application can cause problems and this is where portable applications shine. You can make a full backup of portable Thunderbird before updating it.

I updated version 1 of portable Thunderbird many times without incident. However, I waited a very long time to move from version 1 to version 2 and by the time I ran that update, it failed. But, I had a full backup, so the failure didn't slow me down. Some day, I'll deal with this, no rush though.

This story does however, illustrate the big problem with free software - the lack of technical support. I'm on my own to deal with this problem. A posting I made at the official forum was a waste of time even though it included a screen shot of all the error messages.

As for the Lightning calendar add-on for Thunderbird, I haven't tried it. I prefer my email program to only do email. Just keeping that alive and well can be hard enough (see above), no need to complicate things.

The supported operating systems for Portable Thunderbird are listed in the posting. Windows Mobile was not one of them.

Michael Horowitz

[tenc21]

Quite a Surprise

I'm very surprised to learn from your comment that you used VERSION 1 of Thunderbird against your own advice elsewhere. Also, in waiting "a long time" for Version 2, was it over 2.5 years? Has Thunderbird matured enough in your opinion to be safe for everyday use?