Just after a little bit of info on Thunderbird.

I've just changed over to using this programme and as with anything new there are 100's of settings and options.

First issue I have is that when I open the email programme it does not automatically show anything in the preview panel unless I click on an email. Is this just how it is, or can I have it show the email in my inbox ?

Second issue is that it doesn't seem to be checking spelling as I type a new email. I have the box ticked to check spelling as i type. Any ideas ?

 

Check your view options in settings also when you make a change close the program and allow it to reboot on opening

Go to the Thunderbird menu and select Preferences. Select the Composition tab. Under Spelling, select the Enable spellcheck as you type check box. To change the spellcheck dictionary, select the Language drop-down menu, and choose an option.

 

Hello. Just tried this programme out of interest on my PC.

When I first opened it the inbox view was set in 'card' format. I didn't like it so I found this button with which I could change to 'Table view'.

There were no full email previews; I guess if would be too busy/too much on the screen if you had a number of emails in there like I do. However, if I then double click on any one of them I get the full email instantly displayed.

Have you loaded the English language options? When loaded it will highlight possible misspelled words but not automatically try to correct them.

I have been using Thunderbird for some years, I like it a lot.  I do not like Outlook and use Thunderbird for gmail accounts

I do not run with the preview pane open.  My understanding is that with the preview pane open, then you have possibly opened the door to a virus.

I stand corrected, see Luke below.

If suspicious of an email in the list mode, then select, but do not open the email. use "Control U" to view all the content in text mode - you should then see if it is genuine and safe to open normally.

I cannot remember the default columns in list mode, but I customise to show sender, recipient, size attachment etc to suit what I want.

Enjoy it !

Edited August 20, 20241 yr by Paulkp
Correction

2 hours ago, unofix said:

Just after a little bit of info on Thunderbird.

I'm far from an expert, but have been using it successfully for about a year now. I have a preview pane below the list of emails 50/50 screen), and it also 'spellchecks'. I'll have a slosh in my settings and see if I stumble across anything useful for you!

1 hour ago, Paulkp said:

I do not run with the preview pane open.  My understanding is that with the preview pane open, then you have possibly opened the door to a virus.

Just thought I'd reply to this bit, I don't use thunderbird, but emails are html rendered, you cannot get a virus simply by opening an email, only by downloading and running an attachment, which you'd have to do intentionally. Not trying to be rude about it, just needed to be said that that is untrue before other people start believing it.

That is, unless thunderbird works in such as way that thunderbird specifically is vulnerable to that, and for that to be true, it would have to be a truly dreadfully designed bit of software and nobody should ever be using it. But its not, so people can.

48 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

I have a preview pane below the list of emails 50/50 screen),

Yes that is how I have set mine. The preview pane works, BUT I first have to click on an e-mail to see it in the preview panel. All other e-mail programmes I've used in the past always just show the last e-mail received in the preview as soon as the programme opens.

The spelling thing is very odd, everything is ticked and yet it fails to detect spelling errors. I often have problems with Firefox either not checking spellings or, it insists on American spellings. This usually happens after an update. To fix the problem I have to toggle the dictionary from UK to USA and then back to UK. Perhaps this is a similar problem with Thunderbird ?

6 minutes ago, unofix said:

Yes that is how I have set mine. The preview pane works, BUT I first have to click on an e-mail to see it in the preview panel. All other e-mail programmes I've used in the past always just show the last e-mail received in the preview as soon as the programme opens.

The spelling thing is very odd, everything is ticked and yet it fails to detect spelling errors. I often have problems with Firefox either not checking spellings or, it insists on American spellings. This usually happens after an update. To fix the problem I have to toggle the dictionary from UK to USA and then back to UK. Perhaps this is a similar problem with Thunderbird ?

Have just closed/opened Thunderbird, and you're right. On 1st opening the preview pane has a 'sponsor' message from Thunderbird seeking donations, never really noticed before. On highlighting a message, it opens straight in the preview pane. Then if I scroll up/down message list, it auto previews the highlighted email in the pane.

As for 'spellcheck', I use to have issues with FireFox, but fettled with something and it seemed to fix it, really can't remember what I did, but as TB is linked to FF, I don't have a spellcheck issue, with the TB setting ticked to check spelling as I type. Like I said, I'm no expert but it al does seem to work. The only issue I did have was that on clicking on an email link, it use to open a different browser to my usual one, until, I set FireFox as my 'default' browser, now all links open with FF.

7 minutes ago, StephenFord said:

On 1st opening the preview pane has a 'sponsor' message from Thunderbird seeking donations, never really noticed before.

You can turn that off in settings just by unticking a box. I've just not found a way to point the opening page to show the last e-mail received automatically.

3 hours ago, LuukeTheKing said:

. Not trying to be rude about it, just needed to be said that that is untrue before other people start believing it.

Luke,  No problem, it is probably something I got confused or paranoid about !  Thanks for correcting me.