Configuring Mozilla Thunderbird for use with MIT mail servers.

For information about installing, running and configuring Thunderbird
including a list of known issues and troubleshooting information,
refer to: http://getthunderbird.com/releases/

The following is based on Thunderbird Verions 1.0 build 20041206 on a Windows XP system SP2

Run installer and take defaults...,, Installer available at MOZILLA.org

The following screens will provide a setup using po14.mit.edu. Users can find their assigned po server here.

The Wizard will begin - Result:

The screens will configure Thunderbird to read mail using the IMAP protocol - ( configs of newsgroup reader and blogs not included)

Enter Username and email address

The recommend mail protocol and one that will work with Thunderbird is IMAP
(POP will not work as Thunderbird is not Kerberized)

Enter your incoming username and outgoing server name (kerberos principal at MIT) - Click the NEXT button

Give the account a name - Click Next button

Result :

Click Finish and exit the setup Wizard

You will be asked to use the application as default mail reader -

You will be prompted for your password . STOP , the application will not read mail at MIT without additional configuration.

In the application , go to the tools menu > account settings

Confirm the po.xx.mit.edu is using port 993 and server settings are using SSL (this is not checked by default)

RESULT:

Select the OUTGOING server (SMTP) is using port 465 (you will need to change from port 25)
Fill in the SSL radio button

Click ok and you will be able to send authenticated mail

Users have "questioned" the servers ability to save a copy of sent mail on server when using T-Bird

The following change will mail a copy of your sent mail to yourself,
in lieu of trying to copy into your "Sent" folder.

Enjoy -

Bill