Using Thunderbird in Linux

[Skeeter]

In Windohs I've used Thunderbird for my email client for a couple of years and I love it. Having just installed Linux I'm wanting to explore it. I think TB comes installed in Mint.
My question is: While exploring and playing in Linux can I read and send emails in TB as usual then when I go back to Windohs will I be able to still use TB as I do now? Will emails that I have in my inbox when I leave Linux still be in my inbox in Windohs? Or will I have to choose which OS I'm going to use TB in and stick with that?
You're probably laughing at such a lame question (even I am giggling) but I just want to be sure so I don't lose any emails.
Again...Thank you!

[oz]

My question is: While exploring and playing in Linux can I read and send emails in TB as usual then when I go back to Windohs will I be able to still use TB as I do now? Will emails that I have in my inbox when I leave Linux still be in my inbox in Windohs? Or will I have to choose which OS I'm going to use TB in and stick with that?

If you are using the POP3 protocol, any emails that are downloaded to your machine will stay in whichever version of Thunderbird that you used. However, you can use IMAP to have the same emails on either version:

Internet Message Access Protocol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

You might also be able to import/export emails from one version of Thunderbird to another.

[devils casper]

As ozar mentioned already, POP3 and IMAP behaves differently. You have to check what type of access your email provider supports.

Check this help page provided Google for Gmail.

[Skeeter]

Thanks for coming through again.

[Rubberman]

I used to do just this. I had the POP account on in thunderbird on both systems (Linux & XP) configured to not delete downloaded emails from the server unless deleted from the client - just mark them as read. That way, it didn't really matter much which client I used. Now, I use IMAP if possible because I can leave copies of all but deleted stuff on the server.

[Rubberman]

Actually, what I used to do was to keep all my email on a thumb drive and configured tbird on both systems to use the thumb drive to store all the email configuration settings and messages. That way, all I had to do was plug in the drive and start tbird... One thing though, it is good to get it configured first in Linux and then check it out with Windows. This is because Linux is case-sensitive and Windows isn't, so by configuring the system and creating your folders w/ Linux, windows will use the correct (case-sensitive) file/directory names.

[Skeeter]

I have RoadRunner and I see no IMAP.
Thank you for sharing, Rubberman. I'm not sure how I'll do it.

[oz]

I have RoadRunner and I see no IMAP.

I'm pretty sure they offer IMAP service:

Road Runner Help

[oz]

The HowTo posted above is for Outlook Express but it should work on other email clients as well. In item #6 where it says choose POP3, see if IMAP is an option in the drop down box or other selection area.

I'm guessing that it is supported by Roadrunner only because I've seen others reporting that it is.

[Rubberman]

Well, even with POP, Skeeter should be able to do what he wants if he tells it not to remove messages from the server unless deleted on the client. That way, the next time he connects with either client, all the undeleted ones not downloaded to that client will be, so he will have a full list of current content whenever he connects. That worked well for me when I was using Windows at work, and Linux at home.