The email client Thunderbird is a popular choice among users who install a desktop email client. The email software was recently updated by its developers to version 3 which brought many changes and new features like a global search option or better email account integration and configuration options.
Thunderbird 3.1 will be the next release of Thunderbird and the first alpha release marks a new milestone towards that goal. The Thunderbird developers ask interested users to test the new email client but also warn anyone from installing the email client in a productive environment as it is an alpha version that can contain bugs.
The most notable changes in Thunderbird 3.1 alpha are:
- upgrade of the layout engine to Gecko 1.9.2.
- Several improvements to IMAP.
- Several fixes for Smart Folders, message filters, and attachment handling.
- Several design improvements and corrections to the interface.
- Download Manager is now accessible as a menu item (Tools > Saved Files).
- Stability and memory improvements.
Bugzilla lists a total of 147 bug fixes and changes in Thunderbird 3.1 alpha of which 2 have been rated as blockers (highest rating) and 14 as critical. Several of the critical bugs fix issues when updating from Thunderbird 2 to Thunderbird 3. Others fix crashes and fix other issues.
Users who are interested in trying out Thunderbird 3.1 alpha can download the email client from the Mozilla Messaging website.
Update: Mozilla has moved on since the release of Thunderbird 3. The developers have adopted the same rapid release process that accelerated the release of new versions for the Firefox web browser. In less than a year’s time, Thunderbird has moved from version 3 to version 11.
Both Firefox and Thunderbird do get released in sync now, with new versions being released every six weeks. Thunderbird has a lot of new features, like better mail migration, built-in search, message archviving or a new Smart Folders system that can combine multiple inboxes into one folder.
Related Articles:
Thunderbird 3.1 Beta Desktop Email Client ReleasedEmail Client Thunderbird 3.1.5. Released
Mozilla Thunderbird 7 Email Client Released
Email Client Mozilla Thunderbird 8 Released
Email Client: Thunderbird 2.0.0.21
Enjoyed the article?: Then sign-up for our free newsletter or RSS feed to kick off your day with the latest technology news and tips, or share the article with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ using the icons below.
Thunderbird 3.0.1 is much worse and bugged than the last 2.0 version…