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Webmail services as alternative to Thunderbird?

  • 6 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 5 views
  • Last reply by GregS2

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Are there any webmail providers that come to close to the functionality provided by Thunderbird? Here are my requirements:

- The ability to display a list of shared accounts/mailboxes, and to be able to very easily access those mailboxes - The ability to MOVE messages between mailboxes. (OWA doesn't actually allow this - it only allows COPIES, for example) - The ability to have all sent mail go to the top level of the sender's Inbox - even for discussions initiated by the sender. - The ability to automatically notify mailbox owners when messages have been moved into their own mailbox by someone else.

The reason I am looking into webmail is that Thunderbird simply isn't working reliably for me yet, which is a crying shame, because it's functionality is excellent.

Greg.

Are there any webmail providers that come to close to the functionality provided by Thunderbird? Here are my requirements: - The ability to display a list of shared accounts/mailboxes, and to be able to very easily access those mailboxes - The ability to MOVE messages between mailboxes. (OWA doesn't actually allow this - it only allows COPIES, for example) - The ability to have all sent mail go to the top level of the sender's Inbox - even for discussions initiated by the sender. - The ability to automatically notify mailbox owners when messages have been moved into their own mailbox by someone else. The reason I am looking into webmail is that Thunderbird simply isn't working reliably for me yet, which is a crying shame, because it's functionality is excellent. Greg.

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Your not going to find what you want I do not think. So perhaps your need to either explain why Thunderbird is not reliable (it is not groupware), look at a hosted solution that is groupware, or modify your requirements.

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Your not going to find what you want I do not think. So perhaps your need to either explain why Thunderbird is not reliable (it is not groupware), look at a hosted solution that is groupware, or modify your requirements.

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Ok, thanks. The main problem I am having with Thunderbird is that the IMAP folder state can be incorrect, requiring a complete restart of Thunderbird, OR, to go offline and back online. If I can get that problem solved, I'll continue with my evaluation.

Btw, I don't think Expunge On Delete is working for me either - I still need to do a Compact. I should not have to do a Compact.

I have reported the first problem here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1012175

The "groupware" that comes closest to what I want in terms of functionality is the Collaborative Inbox mode of Google Groups for Business. If this worked well, we'd sign up. It's not working well enough yet, IMHO, for various reaons, all of which I have reported in their Product Forums.

Right now, the best option appears to be a helpdesk system.

Greg.

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FWIW, I have reported the Expunge problem here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1012488

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I have not seen the imap issue you describe at https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1012175

But, some very strange issues have been reported on win8, and also most of our support contributers have not seen thunderbird on win8. (myself included)

One starting point - Start *Windows'* safe mode with networking enabled - win8 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/windows-startup-settings-including-safe-mode Still In Windows safe mode, start thunderbird in safe mode - http://support.mozillamessaging.com/en-US/kb/safe-mode

Does problem go away?

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Thanks Wayne, I haven't done your test yet, because it's started to work reliably. :) Just maybe, it was due to a problem regarding deleting messages, which I reported here: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1012488

Also, in our production environment we're still running WinXP, so if there is a problem on Win8, it won't matter too much. I'll focus on WinXP testing for the time being, or if I do see a problem on Win8, I'll see if it is reproducible on XP as well etc.

I've spent many hours tearing my hair out with all this, but at the moment, it seems fine. Touch wood!! :)

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I experienced the problem again, although admittedly it was on Windows 8 again.

I'm completely fed up. It may not be Thunderbird at fault, but just don't trust IMAP in general to do what I'm trying to do reliably.

I'm recommending we get a helpdesk system, or wait until something else comes along.

Bye bye, Thunderbird. Bye bye IMAP.