Importing emails into T'bird from another computer SOLVED

[Bloggsworth]

I have converted my Kubuntu laptop to Mageia4, and chosen Thunderbird for my email, but it appears that T'Bird will only import email data from another email provider within the same computer. I have copied my folders from W7 onto an SD card (I even do this for Windows to Windows as Live Email will never export all the folders, just random ones). My plan was to create identical folders in T'Bird and paste in the mail (which works in Windows), but I can't find where T'Bird keeps its folders. I've tried using Dolphin, but its search facility is as useful as a chocolate tea-pot. I gave one of my T'Bird folders an odd name to make the search easier, but telling Dolphin to search"Everywhere", by which I assume it to mean everywhere, turns up nothing. I only did this an hour or two ago, but nothing shows up when I search "Today" - Any suggestions please as to how I find my T'Bird folders?

[Latte]

You will find your thunderbird folder here:

Code: Select all

 ~/.thunderbird/<Profile name>/

(http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folde ... x_and_Unix)

Which means it is a hidden folder (please note the dot before .thunderbird) in your home directory (~)
If your are using dolphin you need to activate the option to see the hidden folder and files...

[Bloggsworth]

Thanks for that Latte, I just found it, but it is clear from opening the relevant folders that they are strored in such a way that I can't just dump a bunch of eml files into the folder - At least, I haven't tried that yet...

[Latte]

they are strored in such a way that I can't just dump a bunch of eml files into the folder - At least, I haven't tried that yet...

Maybe this addon is useful? https://addons.mozilla.org/de/thunderbi ... porttools/
I don't know or use it - I just looked for the explanation and maybe it is what you are looking for...

- eml files import;

[doktor5000]

Could you please first provide basic details, as it's not clear for me what you're trying to do.

You used Thunderbird under Kubuntu, and want to import that profile now under Mageia, is that correct?
No addon is needed for that.

[Bloggsworth]

No - I have a W7 lap-top computer, which I use for 3D Solid Modelling (Rhino3D), and which is my main portable computer, I use a desktop to do the heavy lifting, rendering needs muscle. I also write, and have had published, poetry, which I can do anywhere with any Word clone. I had a second-hand Toshiba which, if I lost, I would not be over-worried, and about which I was unsure as to the legality of the W7 installation, so that's the one I would take out with me if I wanted to write in a café (I sometimes find it easier to write in a busy environment as it forces me to concentrate, whereas, at home I am too easily distracted). I had installed Kubuntu on the Toshiba, then while converting my neighbour's Advent (See Kodak printer problem) I decided to change my Kubuntu to Mageia, and it on the Toshiba that I wish to put the folders from Windows Live Mail, but as I said, it seems that Thunderbird will only install folders from another email program if it resides in the same computer as Thunderbird.

[Latte]

... I wish to put the folders from Windows Live Mail, but as I said, it seems that Thunderbird will only install folders from another email program if it resides in the same computer as Thunderbird.

If you are trying to migrate from Window Live Mail please take a look here: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Importing_and ... c_programs (there is a section with Windows Live Mail).

[Bloggsworth]

It seems that you are not understanding the problem. Windows Live Mail is on computer A, Thunderbird is on computer B. The folders are on SD card C. With Windows Mail you can export the folders, address book and settings to a memory device and, on another computer, import those files/folders from the memory device. With Thunderbird it seems that you can only import files from a mail program within the same computer, not from an external source.

[Latte]

Did you follow my link?

The best way to import .EML files is with the ImportExportTools add-on, it lets you import all of the .EML files in a directory in one step using "Tools -> ImportExportTools -> Import all eml files from a directory

If I use the described plugin I can browse to any folder (including USB device, network drive) on my computer? I have no eml-files available, but I did not get your point, why this only works if the files are on the Computer? And if so, why don't you copy the files from the memory card on your computer?

Did you try the other solution and drag&drop the eml-file from an file manager (e.g. dolphin) into thunderbird?

if you only have a few .EML files you could drag and drop them from Windows Explorer to a folder in Thunderbird instead

[doktor5000]

Topic has been marked SOLVED - Would you mind telling the others how you solved it in the end?

[Bloggsworth]

Odd - I thought I had. Must have forgotten to hit the Submit button.

I followed the link given by Latte, http://kb.mozillazine.org/Importing_and_exporting_your_mail#Specific_programs - Not an elegant solution, but more importantly, it works.