Difference between revisions of "Thunderbird"

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[[fr:Thunderbird]]
 
[[fr:Thunderbird]]
 
[[it:Thunderbird]]
 
[[it:Thunderbird]]
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{{Article summary start}}
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{{Related articles start}}
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{{Article summary text|This article discusses the installation and configuration of the e-mail client, Mozilla Thunderbird. It also provides information about several popular add-ons and extensions to the program, including EnigMail, Lightning, and WebMail.}}
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{{Related|Thunderbird Export URLs}}
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{{Article summary heading|Related}}
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{{Related|Firefox}}
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{{Article summary wiki|Thunderbird Export URLs}}
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{{Related articles end}}
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{{Article summary wiki|Firefox}}
 
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{{Article summary end}}
 
  
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'''Mozilla Thunderbird''' is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness while avoiding bloat. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the Enigmail extension). Similarly to Firefox, it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.
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[https://www.mozilla.org/ Mozilla] [https://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/ Thunderbird] is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness, while avoiding bloat. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the [[Thunderbird#EnigMail - Encryption|Enigmail extension]]). Similarly to [[Firefox]], it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.
  
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==Installation==
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== Installation ==
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The {{Pkg|thunderbird}} package can be found in the [extra] repository and installed with [[pacman]]:
 
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# pacman -S thunderbird
 
  
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There are a number of language packs available if English is not your preferred language. To see a list of available language packs, try:
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[[pacman|Install]] {{Pkg|thunderbird}} from the [[official repositories]].
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$ pacman -Ss thunderbird-i18n
 
  
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==Extensions==
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Other alternatives from the [[AUR]] include:
  
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===Encryption with EnigMail===
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*{{AUR|thunderbird-esr-bin}} (a [http://www.mozilla.org/thunderbird/organizations/ long-term] supported version)
 +
*{{AUR|thunderbird-beta-bin}} (the official [http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/channel/ cutting-edge] version by Mozilla)
 +
*{{AUR|thunderbird-nightly}} (a [https://ftp.mozilla.org/pub/mozilla.org/thunderbird/nightly/latest-comm-central/ nightly] version)
  
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====Installation====
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There are a number of language packs available, if English is not your preferred language. To see a list of available language packs, try:
 +
$ pacman -Ss thunderbird-i18n
  
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=====Via addons.mozilla.org=====
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== Extensions ==
  
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{{Note|This method won't work for x86_64, see [[#Via AUR]].}}
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=== EnigMail - Encryption ===
  
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The first step to setting up email encryption is to download the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG). Several packages are needed for this:
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[https://www.enigmail.net EnigMail] is an extension that allows writing and receiving email signed and/or encrypted with the OpenPGP standard. It relies on the [[Wikipedia:GNU Privacy Guard|GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG)]].
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# pacman -S gnupg gnupg2 gpgme
 
  
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EnigMail can be downloaded from [https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/addon/71 here], at Mozilla's addon database. Make sure that it is installed as a Thunderbird addon and isn't automatically interpreted to be a Firefox addon. This can be done by going to Tools -> Add-ons and clicking Install, then selecting the XPI addon package. Congratulations, EnigMail is now installed. You should now restart Thunderbird.
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It can be installed from [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/enigmail/ addons.mozilla.org] (e.g. through the {{ic|Add-ons Manager}}) or the [[AUR]]. Common packages are: {{AUR|thunderbird-enigmail}} and {{AUR|thunderbird-enigmail-bin}}.
  
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=====Via enigmail.mozdev.org=====
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==== Sharing the public key ====
  
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EnigMail addons that works for x86_64 can be downloaded from [http://enigmail.mozdev.org/download/download-static.php.html this] page. Select the Arch build of the addon and follow the instructions in the previous section to install.
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There are a variety of ways to distribute the public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.
  
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=====Via AUR=====
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==== Encrypting emails ====
  
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There is an [[AUR]] package: {{AUR|enigmail}}.
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First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails plain text by choosing ''Options > Delivery Format > Plain Text Only'' in the new email window.
  
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=====Issues with the x86_64 version of enigmail=====
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Once the email is finished it can be signed through the ''OpenPGP'' menu.
  
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It is possible that Thunderbird (Lanikai) hasn't got the same build-type (Error: Linux_x86-gcc3) as the enigmail (x86_64) and won't get installed. Downloading Thunderbird in the i686 version an installing enigmail by the Add-On application works fine.
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==== Decrypting emails ====
  
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If you download Thunderbird manually, remember copying the files to {{ic|/opt}} and creating a directory for Thunderbird. To still be able start Thunderbird from the "default location" create a file that points at {{ic|/opt/thunderbird/thunderbird}} for example.
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Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking to type in the keyphrase.
  
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Open a new file called thunderbird.
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==== Removing Information Disclosure in Email and OpenPGP Headers ====
  
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# nano /usr/bin/thunderbird
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By default, Enigmail discloses unnecessary information in the email headers of the sent email and in the OpenPGP comment field. This information includes the fact that Enigmail is being used and which version. Both these can be disabled in the Thunder Config Editor (<code>Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Config Editor</code>)
  
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Write in the file:
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To delete the email header (X-Enigmail-version) set <code>extensions.enigmail.addHeaders</code> to '''false'''.
  
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/opt/thunderbird/thunderbird
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Counter-intuitively, to disable the the OpenPGP comment, set the <code>extensions.enigmail.useDefaultComment</code> to '''true'''.
  
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Finish with setting the right permissions and "updating" your shell.
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Users who do this will also be interested in disabling the user-agent email header that advertises that the sender is using Thunderbird. Enable the setting <code>general.useragent.enable_overrides</code> and set <code>general.useragent.override</code> to a blank string.
  
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# chmod 755 /usr/bin/thunderbird
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=== Lightning - Calendar ===
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# bash
 
  
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====Creating a Keypair====
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[https://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning/ Lightning] is a calendar extension that brings [[Wikipedia:Sunbird|Sunbird's]] functionality to Thunderbird. You can use [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/lightning/ addons.mozilla.org] or the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|lightning-bin}} to install Lightning.
  
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A keypair can be created by opening Thunderbird and finding the 'OpenPGP' menu and clicking 'Setup Wizard'. The wizard will now help you create your keypair. All of the options are fairly self-explanatory and are not discussed in this article.
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=== FireTray - Tray icon ===
  
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====Sharing your Public Key====
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FireTray is an extension that adds a customizable system tray icon for Thunderbird. It can be installed from [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/addon/firetray/ addons.mozilla.org] or the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|thunderbird-firetray}}.
  
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There are a variety of ways to distribute your public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.
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== Tips and tricks ==
  
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====Encrypting your Emails====
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=== Setting the default browser ===
  
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First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails you wish to send plaintext. This can be ensured by going to Options in the 'New Email' window and finding Format, then clicking on "Plain-text only".
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{{Note|Since version 24 the {{ic|network.protocol-handler.app.*}} keys have no effect and will not be able to set the default browser.}}
  
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Once you have chosen a recipient and title and have written your message, you can sign and encrypt the message by using the OpenPGP menu. Once that is done, simply click "Send" and your encrypted email has been sent.
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Recent versions of Thunderbird use the default browser as defined by the [[Default applications|system MIME settings]]. This is commonly modified by the Gnome Control Center (''Gnome Control Center > Details > Default Applications > Web'') (available in: {{Pkg|gnome-control-center}}).
  
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====Decrypting Emails====
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This can be overridden in Thunderbird through ''Edit > Preferences > Advanced > General > Config Editor'' by searching for {{ic|network.protocol-handler.warn-external}}.
  
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This article will not go into the details of key signing.
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If the following three are all set to {{ic|false}} (default), turn them to {{ic|true}}, and then Thunderbird will ask you when clicking on links which application to use. Depending on the chosen desktop, common values include {{ic|/usr/bin/firefox}}, {{ic|/usr/bin/google-chrome-stable}}, {{ic|/usr/bin/exo-open}} (Xfce) or {{ic|/usr/bin/xdg-open}} (non-DE environments). Remember to check ''"Remember my choice for .. links"''.
  
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Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking you to type in your keyphrase. Do so now, and the email will be decrypted for your viewing pleasure.
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.ftp
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.http
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.https
  
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===Adding a Calendar with Lightning===
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=== Plain Text mode and font uniformity ===
  
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Lightning is an extension that brings Sunbird's functionality to Thunderbird. This integrates calendar functions into Thunderbird.
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Plain Text mode lets you view all your emails without HTML rendering and is available in ''View > Message Body As''. This defaults to the [[Wikipedia:Monospace_(Unicode)|Monospace]] font but the size is still inherited from original system fontconfig settings. The following example will overwrite this with Ubuntu Mono of 10 pixels (available in: {{Pkg|ttf-ubuntu-font-family}}).
  
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===Adding a Webmail Account with WebMail===
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Remember to run {{ic|fc-cache -fv}} to update system font cache. See [[Font Configuration]] for more information.
  
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This issue is covered in the article [[Webmail with Thunderbird]].
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{{hc|~/.config/fontconfig/fonts.conf|<nowiki>
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<?xml version="1.0"?>
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<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
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<fontconfig>
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  <match target="pattern">
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    <test qual="any" name="family"><string>monospace</string></test>
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    <edit name="family" mode="assign" binding="same"><string>Ubuntu Mono</string></edit>
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    <!-- For Thunderbird, lowering default font size to 10 for uniformity -->
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    <edit name="pixelsize" mode="assign"><int>10</int></edit>
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  </match>
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</fontconfig>
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</nowiki>}}
  
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===Resizeable tray icon===
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=== Webmail with Thunderbird ===
  
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There are a number of plugins that let Thunderbird close to tray, but most of them seem to make use of {{ic|/usr/lib/thunderbird-5.0/chrome/icons/default/default16.png}}, and if you are using a big screen and a bigger-than-standard dock (e.g. Avant Window Navigator) the icon could appear too little compared to the other tray icons.
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Please see upstream Wiki: [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_webmail_with_your_email_client Using webmail with your email client].
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To make those plugins use the icons from {{ic|/usr/share/icons/hicolor/}} you just have to disable {{ic|/usr/lib/thunderbird-5.0/chrome/icons/default/default16.png}} renaming it for example to {{ic|default16.png.disabled}}, not forgetting to prevent pacman from reinstalling it by adding the following line to {{ic|/etc/pacman.conf}}:
 
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NoExtract = usr/lib/thunderbird-5.0/chrome/icons/default/default16.png
 
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===Links in Thunderbird do NOT open in Firefox===
 
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If you update from Firefox 3 to Firefox 4, you may no longer be able to click on a link in Thunderbird and have it open in Firefox. Especially if you are using KDE. To correct the problem, issue the following as your user, from the command line:
 
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gconftool-2 --type=string -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/http/command "firefox %s"
 
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gconftool-2 --type=string -s /desktop/gnome/url-handlers/https/command "firefox %s"
 
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Another option is go to the preferences => advanced => general and then select Config Editor.
 
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Search for "network.protocol-handler.warn-external"
 
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those following three were false, turn then to true, and then Thunderbird will ask you when clicking on liks which application to use. Select /usr/bin/firefox or /usr/bin/xdg-open and do not forgot to select remember my choice wink
 
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.ftp
 
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.http
 
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network.protocol-handler.warn-external.https
 
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the mimetype where saved on ~/.thunderbird/.default/mimeTypes.rdf
 
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=== Webmail with Thunderbird ===
 
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Please see upstream wiki: [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_webmail_with_your_email_client Using webmail with your email client].
 
  
 
== Troubleshooting ==
 
== Troubleshooting ==
  
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=== Segfault at startup ===
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=== LDAP Segfault ===
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A [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127 problem (mozilla-bug)] arises on systems configured to use ldap to fetch user information: Thunderbird segfaults at startup. A [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127#c7 work around] exists.
 
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=== Folder name in local language but menus in english after Thunderbird update ===
 
  
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First, verify that you have package <i>thunderbird-i18n-xx</i> installed, where "<i>xx</i>" is the language you want. If not, install it. If you have it already installed remove it with <code>sudo pacman -R thunderbird-i18n-xx</code> and reinstall it again.
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An [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127 LDAP clash (Bugzilla#292127)] arises on systems configured to use it to fetch user information. A possible [https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=292127#c7 workaround] consists of renaming the conflicting bundled LDAP library.

Revision as of 14:35, 12 February 2014

Mozilla Thunderbird is an email, newsgroup, and news feed client designed around simplicity and full-featuredness, while avoiding bloat. It supports POP, IMAP, SMTP, S/MIME, and OpenPGP encryption (through the Enigmail extension). Similarly to Firefox, it has a wide variety of extension and addons available for download that add more features.

Installation

Install thunderbird from the official repositories.

Other alternatives from the AUR include:

There are a number of language packs available, if English is not your preferred language. To see a list of available language packs, try: 

$ pacman -Ss thunderbird-i18n

Extensions

EnigMail - Encryption

EnigMail is an extension that allows writing and receiving email signed and/or encrypted with the OpenPGP standard. It relies on the GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG).

It can be installed from addons.mozilla.org (e.g. through the Add-ons Manager) or the AUR. Common packages are: thunderbird-enigmailAUR and thunderbird-enigmail-binAUR.

Sharing the public key

There are a variety of ways to distribute the public key. One way is to upload it to a public keyserver network. Another is to share it with friends who are also using email encryption.

Encrypting emails

First of all, encryption does not always work properly with emails containing HTML. It is best to make all of the encrypted emails plain text by choosing Options > Delivery Format > Plain Text Only in the new email window.

Once the email is finished it can be signed through the OpenPGP menu.

Decrypting emails

Assuming that the email was encrypted properly, just trying to open it should result in a popup window asking to type in the keyphrase.

Removing Information Disclosure in Email and OpenPGP Headers

By default, Enigmail discloses unnecessary information in the email headers of the sent email and in the OpenPGP comment field. This information includes the fact that Enigmail is being used and which version. Both these can be disabled in the Thunder Config Editor (Edit -> Preferences -> Advanced -> General -> Config Editor)

To delete the email header (X-Enigmail-version) set extensions.enigmail.addHeaders to false.

Counter-intuitively, to disable the the OpenPGP comment, set the extensions.enigmail.useDefaultComment to true.

Users who do this will also be interested in disabling the user-agent email header that advertises that the sender is using Thunderbird. Enable the setting general.useragent.enable_overrides and set general.useragent.override to a blank string.

Lightning - Calendar

Lightning is a calendar extension that brings Sunbird's functionality to Thunderbird. You can use addons.mozilla.org or the AUR package lightning-binAUR to install Lightning.

FireTray - Tray icon

FireTray is an extension that adds a customizable system tray icon for Thunderbird. It can be installed from addons.mozilla.org or the AUR package thunderbird-firetrayAUR.

Tips and tricks

Setting the default browser

Note: Since version 24 the network.protocol-handler.app.* keys have no effect and will not be able to set the default browser.

Recent versions of Thunderbird use the default browser as defined by the system MIME settings. This is commonly modified by the Gnome Control Center (Gnome Control Center > Details > Default Applications > Web) (available in: gnome-control-center).

This can be overridden in Thunderbird through Edit > Preferences > Advanced > General > Config Editor by searching for network.protocol-handler.warn-external.

If the following three are all set to false (default), turn them to true, and then Thunderbird will ask you when clicking on links which application to use. Depending on the chosen desktop, common values include /usr/bin/firefox, /usr/bin/google-chrome-stable, /usr/bin/exo-open (Xfce) or /usr/bin/xdg-open (non-DE environments). Remember to check "Remember my choice for .. links". 

network.protocol-handler.warn-external.ftp
network.protocol-handler.warn-external.http
network.protocol-handler.warn-external.https

Plain Text mode and font uniformity

Plain Text mode lets you view all your emails without HTML rendering and is available in View > Message Body As. This defaults to the Monospace font but the size is still inherited from original system fontconfig settings. The following example will overwrite this with Ubuntu Mono of 10 pixels (available in: ttf-ubuntu-font-family).

Remember to run fc-cache -fv to update system font cache. See Font Configuration for more information. 

~/.config/fontconfig/fonts.conf
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">
<fontconfig>
  <match target="pattern">
    <test qual="any" name="family"><string>monospace</string></test>
    <edit name="family" mode="assign" binding="same"><string>Ubuntu Mono</string></edit>
    <!-- For Thunderbird, lowering default font size to 10 for uniformity -->
    <edit name="pixelsize" mode="assign"><int>10</int></edit>
  </match>
</fontconfig>

Webmail with Thunderbird

Please see upstream Wiki: Using webmail with your email client.

Troubleshooting

LDAP Segfault

An LDAP clash (Bugzilla#292127) arises on systems configured to use it to fetch user information. A possible workaround consists of renaming the conflicting bundled LDAP library.

Retrieved from "https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=Thunderbird&oldid=297022"