Thunderbird at GC

Getting Started

Thunderbird vs. Eudora

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Getting Started

Getting Started at the Office (On Campus)

We have started converting all faculty and staff who were using Eudora to Thunderbird.  If you have not already been converted, you will recieve an email at some point about setting up a time to be moved to Thunderbird.  Please DO NOT install it yourself.  This is very important!  Thunderbird on campus needs DIFFERENT settings than Thunderbird at home.  ITS-set requirements and standardizations help us give you better program support and ensure that important files get backed up.

Getting Started at Home

Installation

If you are using Thunderbird on campus, you will also need to switch to using Thunderbird at home. Here is how to do so:

1. Go to the Thunderbird webpage and download a copy of the program by clicking the 'Download' button.

2. Double-click on the Thunderbird installation icon (called 'Thunderbird-setup. Should be located on your desktop) to run the setup wizard.

   The default options during the install are fine. Agree to the licensing statement and then click next until the setup is complete. The final step of the setup will automatically start Thunderbird.

Account Creation

After Thunderbird starts up, follow these instructions to set up your account:

1. 
   Make sure 'E-mail Account' is selected and click 'Next'.
2. 
   Type in your name and email address and click 'Next'.
3. 
   Select IMAP and type 'mail.goshen.edu' for the Incoming Server field and "smtp.goshen.edu" for the Outgoing Server field and click 'Next'.
4. 
   Type in your username and click 'Next'.
5. 
   Type in 'GC IMAP Account' and click 'Next'.
6. Click 'Finish'.

Thunderbird will now try to connect to your GC email account. Unfortunately, not all settings are correctly configured yet, so click "Cancel" when asked for you password.

We need to enable secure communications between your Thunderbird client and the Goshen College email server. To do this, click on the Tools menu of the main Thunderbird application and then select "Account Settings."

1. 
   Select "Server Settings" under "GC IMAP account" in the left pane. In the "Security Settings" section on the right be sure that either "TLS" or "SSL" is chosen.
2. 
   Select "Outgoing Server (SMTP)" at the very bottom in the left pane. Then select the outgoing server in the right pane that has "smtp.goshen.edu" in the name and hit the "Edit" button. A new window should open detailing the settings for the connection. Be sure that "SSL" or "TLS" is selected under the options for "Use secure connection." Click "OK."
3. Click "OK" to leave the account settings window.
4. Check for new messages and enter Goshen College password when prompted.

Additional Configuration (Junk mail, security, etc.)

After you click 'Finish', the Account Setup wizard will close and Thunderbird will prompt you to enter your password. After you have entered your password, follow these instructions to continue setting up your account:

1. In the 'Tools' menu click on 'Run Junk Mail Controls in folder'.
2. Mark Emails you want considered junk. This will help Thunderbird determine which emails you consider junk.
3. You can delete your junk mail at any time by clicking on 'delete mail marked as junk in folder' in the 'Tools' menu.
4. Click 'OK' to apply these settings.
5. In the 'Tools' menu click on 'Account Settings'.
6. Click on the option at the left called 'Composition & Addressing'.
7. Under the section 'Composition' select 'Start my reply above the quote' from the drop-down menu.
8. Click 'OK' to apply these settings.
9. In the 'Tools' menu click 'Options'.
10. Click on the icon 'Composition' along the top of the window.
11. Where it says 'Forward messages:' select 'Inline' from the dropdown menu.
12. Click on the button that says 'Send options'.
13. Under 'Text Format' select 'Send in both plain text and HTML' from the dropdown menu.
14. Click 'OK', then when the 'Send' window closes click 'OK' again to apply these settings.

You should now have a working Thunderbird account. Check out our Extensions page for fun and useful add-ons to the program. For help, check out the Thunderbird Help sections, the F.A.Q.'s, or contact the Helpdesk by or phone (ex. 7700).