thunderbird account wizard unable to make imap gmail account

[Lars Noodén]

Binary package hint: thunderbird

The account wizard in Thunderbird 2.0.0.14 makes only pop-based Gmail accounts. Further, it appears the account cannot be switched to imap after creation. The account settings -> server settings have 'hard coded' Pop Mail Server as server type.

This is on Kubuntu as installed from kubuntu-kde4-8.04-alternate-amd64.iso plus updates

$ lsb_release -rc
Release: 8.04
Codename: hardy

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

Gmail has instructions, which bypass the Gmail option in the wizard, but those that choose Gmail in the wizard choose POP. This is insecure *and* means data is downloaded to the client and erased from the server. Beginners can lose serious data that way.

Gmail's IMAP instructions:
http://mail.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=77662

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Lars Noodén wrote:
> Public bug reported:
>
> Binary package hint: thunderbird
>
> The account wizard in Thunderbird 2.0.0.14 makes only pop-based Gmail
> accounts. Further, it appears the account cannot be switched to imap
> after creation. The account settings -> server settings have 'hard
> coded' Pop Mail Server as server type.
>
> This is on Kubuntu as installed from kubuntu-kde4-8.04-alternate-
> amd64.iso plus updates
>
> $ lsb_release -rc
> Release: 8.04
> Codename: hardy
>
> ** Affects: thunderbird (Ubuntu)
> Importance: Undecided
> Status: New
>
I have yet to see a IMAP account for Gmail. Please show me the gmail
help page where it says they use IMAP now.

--
Sincerely Yours,
     John Vivirito

https://launchpad.net/~gnomefreak
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JohnVivirito
Linux User# 414246

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

sorry missed the last comment. Ignore my above comment

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Please file this bug as a feature request upstream at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/
There might be one already reported so please look if there is first or during.

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

I've filed it upstream:
https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/post_bug.cgi

@Vivirito:

 keep in mind that, no matter how you slice it, it's still two bugs. One bug is you cannot create an IMAP account using the Gmail option in the account wizard. The other is that you cannot change the account type after creation from POP to IMAP. That could cause beginners and less careful power users to lose lots of mail ( or at least lots of time ad effort).

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

| One bug is you cannot create an IMAP account using the Gmail option in the account wizard.
The above is not a bug but a lack of a feature, Thunderbird doesnt allow you to set gmail as IMAP if it allowed it and didnt work than it would be a bug.

| The other is that you cannot change the account type after creation from POP to IMAP.+
Also not a bug but a lack of a feature, Mozilla set it up that way on purpose (however not sure why but that is why i asked you to file it upstream since this is something they need to implement.

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

Can you please go to your bug report (the link should have a bug number in it.
With upstream tracker you have to file bug report fully than it opens a temp page with no bug number in URL but at top of bug report you see a link with the number in it you have to click that to be brought to bug report and that is the link i need.

[Jayson Rowe (jayson.rowe)]

Since it's been a very long time since any additional info was added to this bug, I'm just checking to see if this is still an issue, and find out what additional work should be done on this bug.

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

No additional info because the problem is still as it was back in May.

Tools -> Account Settings -> Add Account -> Gmail -> Identity

The wizard then automatically and unavoidably selects Incoming Server Name to be pop.gmail.com and incoming server type as POP3.

It should allow the choice of IMAP, or better default to IMAP, and point to imap.gmail.com on port 993.

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

Here is the upstream bug report :

https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=400931

[Jayson Rowe (jayson.rowe)]

Thanks Lars,
I was just checking on old bug reports that were marked to expire due to inactivity. Thanks for the update.

[Lars Noodén (larsnooden)]

No worries. Post when you need more info or testing.

[John Vivirito (gnomefreak)]

This has been fixed. Please see posted upstream bug for more info