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University IT service claims that new Outlook-based email system will not work with Thunderbird client - what could be the basis for this?

  • 4 replies
  • 3 have this problem
  • 3 views
  • Last reply by donnervogel

donnervogel
donnervogel
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I just learned that our IT service plans to switch to an email service that "won't work with TB". What could be a reason that you can't use an established email client - it's not that TB is a mess of vulnerabilities, as far as I know.

I just learned that our IT service plans to switch to an email service that "won't work with TB". What could be a reason that you can't use an established email client - it's not that TB is a mess of vulnerabilities, as far as I know.

Chosen solution

Historically, the focus has been on open/standard protocols, and there is no shortage of other things to work on, so I don't imagine the lack of ActiveSync support is going to change any time soon.

(Mozilla did implement ActiveSync for the mail client in Firefox OS but based on info I can find today, not completely. Also, the phone manufacturers paid Microsoft's licensing fee, which is not something I imagine Mozilla wants to do for all Thunderbird users.)

There is a new extension in development to provide ActiveSync support, but the author warns that it is unfinished and should only be used for testing: TbSync (Provider for Exchange ActiveSync).

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All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Normally that shouldn't be a problem, as long as the standard protocols POP, IMAP, and SMTP are enabled on an Exchange server. I'd suggest you ask your IT folks.

donnervogel
donnervogel Question owner
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Thanks for that background info!

I learned that the new system will require the 'active sync' protocol, and that TB so far does not provide this possibility. The question, of course, is now - will TB get active sync? Does anyone know about this?

jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
jscher2000 - Support Volunteer
  • Top 10 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Historically, the focus has been on open/standard protocols, and there is no shortage of other things to work on, so I don't imagine the lack of ActiveSync support is going to change any time soon.

(Mozilla did implement ActiveSync for the mail client in Firefox OS but based on info I can find today, not completely. Also, the phone manufacturers paid Microsoft's licensing fee, which is not something I imagine Mozilla wants to do for all Thunderbird users.)

There is a new extension in development to provide ActiveSync support, but the author warns that it is unfinished and should only be used for testing: TbSync (Provider for Exchange ActiveSync).

donnervogel
donnervogel Question owner
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Thank you for the info! Well, one can only hope the development of the extension continues... Would be happy to keep TB!