Kontact / Kaddressbook 3.5.10 : mail-list disappeared + impossible to create

[Mathieu HAVEL]

Binary package hint: kontact

The new version of Kontact (3.5.10) have some small improvements and changes.
One of them is the mail-list feature in Kaddressbook part.
The upgrade from 3.5.9 to 3.5.10 lost all my mail-lists, but worse this version fail to create new mail-list (you can launch the tool to create them, but once you apply, it does nothing).
So it is impossible to have mail-list.

Launching kontact in a terminal do not show more information about the problem.

Please fix this important bug !

OS Information :
   Description: Ubuntu 8.04.1
   Release: 8.04
Package Information :
   Kontact 3.5.10-0ubuntu1~hardy1
   Kaddressbook 3.5.10-0ubuntu1~hardy1

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

Hi Mathieu

Kdepim has got a new distribution list format. In upstream kde svn they've added a helper application to migrate from the old list format to the new list format. I've build the package with the helper app included:
http://awen.dk/packages/kde3.5.10/kdepim/

Please test the package and see if you get your mail lists back.

I've tested and cannot reproduce the problem with adding distribution lists, but as this might be due to your current lists being the old format, please test and report back whether this is fixed also.

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

The helper add from the kde-svn is pretty unfinished atm. so it is not worth using. I'll probably keep an eye on the svn commits and see if it gets fixed.

This problem only affects mail lists created in kde 3.5.8 or prior versions; so fresh hardy installs is not affected.

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

I have got the helper application to compile, and it now works.

I have reproduced the situation by creating a distribution list in gutsy and upgrading to hardy (the list is still there) and after enabling hardy-backports the list disappears. After installing the new version with the helper application, logging out and in again, the list is back in place.

I'll have a debdiff ready soon.

[Mathieu HAVEL (mathieu-havel)]

Ok thanks a lot !
I had no time to test further...

But in fact, my mail-list were created since kde 3.5.7 (or 6 i don't remember).
Can you provide us your compiled version with the helper ?

I'm looking forward your debdiff :)

Mathieu

[Scott Kitterman (kitterman)]

Due to changes is the build system, it's a 10mb diff. I'm working on
getting the change and getting it uploaded soon.

[Launchpad Janitor (janitor)]

This bug was fixed in the package kdepim - 4:3.5.10-0ubuntu1~hardy2

---------------
kdepim (4:3.5.10-0ubuntu1~hardy2) hardy-backports; urgency=low

  * Add helper application to Kaddressbook to migrate distribution lists
    from old to new format. (LP: #262538)
    - Add kubuntu_13_upstream_r856958.diff with the initial helper app.
    - Add patch kubuntu_14_build_kabcdistlistupdater.diff to build it.
    - Add patch kubuntu_15_fix_kabcdistlistupdater.diff to fix build.
    - Add kabcdistlistupdater to debian/kaddressbook.install
  * Add kubuntu_16_upstream_r853610.diff:
    - Fixes potential crash in Kmail.
  * Changed debian/kdepim-doc.doc-base and debian/kdepim-doc.install to
    reflect apidocs being moved from kdepim-apidocs to kdepim-old-apidocs.

 -- Andreas Wenning <email address hidden> Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:14:06 +0200

[Mathieu HAVEL (mathieu-havel)]

Hi Andreas,

I didn't try the Kmail version packed with the helper... I've finally jump to KDE 4.1 with a new fresh installation of Kubuntu Intrepid.
The only thing i've done is reinstalling my "old" kmail directory and the files "kmailrc" and "kadressbookrc" in the new .kde dir. I've looked in these files, and no reference to any distribution list was found. I've also imported my saved .vdf contacts files...
So I tried to recreate my distribution list, and surprise it doesn't work, with the same symptoms than with Kadressbook 3.5.10 (it is now in version 4.1).

What's going on ? Is it the same problem than previously ? How to fix it now ?
I fear that even if kadressbook is in version 4.1, the program is roughly the same than 3.5.10 with same bugs...

Thanks a lot for great job.

Mathieu

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

Hi Mathieu

korganizer has changed to using a new distribution list format; and as your mail lists was created in an old version they can't be read by a new version.

The distribution list updater in kde 3.5.10 solves this problem by upgrading your distribution lists to the new format. I'm not sure if the list updater will get into kde4, but as everyone upgrading to intrepid/jaunty should do this via a fully updated hardy this should prevent any further cases from happening.

In your particular case you could try moving your korganizer directory back to a kde3.5.10 installation, update the lists, and move it back (is a good idea to keep a backup if this doesn't work as expected).

[Mathieu HAVEL (mathieu-havel)]

Humm the fact is that I've reinstalled a fresh new system (Intrepid) and did not try to import any distribution list. And I still cannot create new one with the newly installed Kontact (Kmail, Kaddressbook...). So I think there is nothing to do (this time) with the old/new format issue.
It is just that I cannot create new distribution list.

Thanks,

Mathieu

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

Sounds unrelated, yes. You can file it as a new bug report if it isn't already reported; please remember to check which version of korganizer you are running when reporting (works in 4.1.3 for me).

[gilweber (gil-gilweber)]

Hello, everyone. Getting in late on this discussion. I'm new to Ubuntu and not at all skilled in command line work in Linux, so I hope you'll be patient with me.

I had KMail working wonderfully in Ubuntu 7.10. Three extensive mailing lists, all easy to edit and use. But when I upgraded to 8.04.1 those lists disappeared, and I cannot figure how to get them back.

I have read all the comments in this thread, and I have also communicated with Tobias Koenig at kde.org who told me about the kabcdistlistupdater. Tobias suggested that I contact my distributor and ask to have it included. Unless I am missing something obvious I don't see that as a practical solution, and certainly not one that will get me "fixed" NOW!

I cannot find kabcdistlistupdater anywhere in 8.04.1, but then maybe I'm not looking in the right places for it. I looked in the Synaptic Package Manager and also in the add/remove software feature. Nothing. :o(

I'm desperate to get back my mailing lists as my business depends upon them. I have even tried recreating the lists but, as mentioned above, the mailing list creation tool in kaddressbook 3.5.10 (KMail 3.5.10) simply does not work.

Help!! Anyone have the solution? And if it involves command line work a walk-through **really** would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Gil

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

$Gil
kabcdistlistupdater is installed together with kaddressbook from version 4:3.5.10-0ubuntu1~hardy2 an onward and is set to auto-start one time after being installed. You can run it manually afterwards by opening the terminal and running "kabcdistlistupdater".

[gilweber (gil-gilweber)]

Andreas, many thanks! That was SO simple. :o)

If I want to create a new mailing list or edit an existing one, is there a way to drag-and-drop e-mail addresses into the distribution list? I tried both creating a new list and editing an exiting one and found that I have to manually type in the new addresses.

Thanks.
Gil

[Andreas Wenning (andreas-wenning)]

@Gil
I haven't really ever been using the distribution lists in KMail so I actually don't know. You could try to jump into the #kubuntu channel at irc.freenode.net and see if anyone there knows it.

[gilweber (gil-gilweber)]

Thanks!! I'll look.
Gil