Thunderlook? Outbird?
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Chris | Live Tech Support | Video Help | Add to iTunes
I have been using Outlook since it came out in 1998. Until recently, I wouldn’t have recommended using Thunderbird, but that has changed. Both are good clients, but it depends on what exactly you’re looking for, and your preferences are.
The first email client I ever used was VMS. After that came Elm (via Unix), Eudora, Pegasus, and finally Outlook Express. When Microsoft Outlook became available in 1998, I switched to that, and have used it ever since. I currently run Outlook 2007 on Microsoft Exchange 2003.
racedude from our live chat channel asked me today which email client he should be using… Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird. He says that he doesn’t use any of the features that come with Outlook, he just reads email with it. Until recently, I wouldn’t recommend Thunderbid, as it seemed to have been left behind while Firefox was developed further. However, Mozilla has recently begun updating Thunderbird, and it’s a pretty good email client now.
Both programs will do essentially the same thing. Take a look at the features and previews of each, and see which better fit your needs and lifestyle.
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Tags: email, email client, microsoft, mozilla, outlook, outlook express, thunderbird
4 Comments
Bruce
September 28th, 2007
at 4:00am
I switched from Outlook 03 to T’bird in January and haven’t looked back. By adding the extensions (add-ons) I need and want (the calendaring program called Lightening for example), T’bird has become a very functional and somewhat powerful email program. T’bird ver. 3 will be published in the next year and that is going to be even more powerful and full featured.
-=George=-
September 28th, 2007
at 4:17am
I have been using Thunderbird for several years now, previous to that I used Eudora. There is a plugin or addon for Thunderbird called Lightning which will put a calendar on the left side below the mail folders.Along with displaying the calendar it allows you to keep track of appointments, make notes & reminders.
There are numerous skins available to change the look of Thunderbird should you so desire. Also there is a small program available to easily transfer setting and mail folders if you like to other computers. I like the fact Thunderbird stores mail in easily readable files should Thunderbird not function.
I am very satisfied with Thunderbird, recommend it highly and have not had any problems whatsoever during the past several years of use. One last note, it’s junk filter system works quite well once it gets past its learning stage, plus you can add your own filters.
-=Geo=-
dabrace1984
September 28th, 2007
at 5:28am
I use Thunderbird for my work e-mail because it is awesome for IMAP accounts. But I also use Windows Live Mail desktop because it allows me to check all of my Window Live/MSN Hotmail accounts without having to use a web browser. I used to use Outlook Express for this sole purpose but I started to experience problems.
Related to the Mozilla Corporation calendar that Chris mentioned. You
actually have two different possibilities
1. Lightening which is an add-in/extension to Thunderbird
2. Sunbird which is a stand-alone calendar
I played around with the betas/nightly builds of both Lightening and Sunbird for about 1 week each. Download them at http://www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/ if you are interested
I actually reverted back to Google Calendar which I can access from anywhere with an Internet connection.
Tom Peterson
September 28th, 2007
at 6:28am
Chris, if you were still at the University of Northern Iowa you’d likely have migrated to Thunderbird with us. I particularly like the “Quote” feature when composing email.