Avatar for Username

Search Support

Avoid support scams. We will never ask you to call or text a phone number or share personal information. Please report suspicious activity using the “Report Abuse” option.

Learn More

This thread was archived. Please ask a new question if you need help.

Syncing TB with Dropbox: choosing directory for messages

  • 2 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 1 view
  • Last reply by Matt

sra97
sra97
more options

Happily synced TB via Dropbox for years by placing the TB profile in Dropbox and then pointing the profiles.ini to:

Path=C:\Users\NAME\Dropbox\Thunderbird\XXXXXX.default

But recently, I noticed a file appear on my C: drive: C:\Dropbox\Thunderbird\ghnrgs5d.default

Upon checking Account Setting found that TB had assigned this in Message Storage and my attempt to point it back at dropbox prompted the message: The Local Directory path "C:\Users\NAME\Dropbox\Thunderbird\XXXXXX.default" is not suitable for message storage. Please choose another directory.

Wondered if there were any way of remedying this. I'm aware of TB portable that can be put in the Dropbox folder. I would like to ask whether you good people consider this a workable solution.

I'm also curious to know how the developers deem a directory on Dropbox 'not suitable for message storage' given that it's backed up securely. Many Thanks.

Happily synced TB via Dropbox for years by placing the TB profile in Dropbox and then pointing the profiles.ini to: Path=C:\Users\NAME\Dropbox\Thunderbird\XXXXXX.default But recently, I noticed a file appear on my C: drive: C:\Dropbox\Thunderbird\ghnrgs5d.default Upon checking Account Setting found that TB had assigned this in Message Storage and my attempt to point it back at dropbox prompted the message: The Local Directory path "C:\Users\NAME\Dropbox\Thunderbird\XXXXXX.default" is not suitable for message storage. Please choose another directory. Wondered if there were any way of remedying this. I'm aware of TB portable that can be put in the Dropbox folder. I would like to ask whether you good people consider this a workable solution. I'm also curious to know how the developers deem a directory on Dropbox 'not suitable for message storage' given that it's backed up securely. Many Thanks.

All Replies (2)

Zenos
Zenos
more options

I simply don't understand this interest in placing profiles on Dropbox. It seems to me to be inefficient. And it wouldn't meet my needs because you can't trivially port a profile between windows and Linux. There are issues with incompatible add-ons and stupid absolute pathnames in the settings files.

However I don't think there is an intrinsic distrust of Dropbox, but more a concern about the form of the profile folder's pathname.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Dangerous_directories_-_Thunderbird

Matt
Matt
  • Moderator
  • Top 10 Contributor
more options

@Zenos, a real bummer if you happen to open Thunderbird with no internet connection.

The bottom line is if you want to use a cloud mail store, your probably in need of a cloud mail solution.

I am forever seeing folk fiddling around with nas devices and cloud storage providers. The purpose of all this escapes me. IMAP mail synchronizes your mail. A contact sync synchronizes your contacts with a cloud provider. CalDAv synchronizes your calendar. So what is the point of placing Gigabytes of information in a cloud providers hands when it is basically already on the web with your mail provider.

Personally I feel it is only a matter of time until dropbox and all the other cloud storage providers get hacked. Do you want your mail on public release?