Synchronizing mail on two computers: Difference between revisions
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(Removed SynchingThunder since its no longer maintained and wasn't popular (in these forums). Reordered instructions for "leave message on server due to some users never noticing the simpler solution.) |
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* If possible, switch to an [[IMAP]] account. All your mail (incoming, outgoing, drafts, etc.) will be stored on the server and be accessible from multiple computers. Many IMAP providers also let you configure your account (server-side) to fetch mail from separate POP accounts. You could also use the [http://www.gargan.org/extensions/synckolab.html Synch Kolab] extension to synchronize your address books. | * If possible, switch to an [[IMAP]] account. All your mail (incoming, outgoing, drafts, etc.) will be stored on the server and be accessible from multiple computers. Many IMAP providers also let you configure your account (server-side) to fetch mail from separate POP accounts. You could also use the [http://www.gargan.org/extensions/synckolab.html Synch Kolab] extension to synchronize your address books. | ||
* Install and run Thunderbird [[Running from a USB drive (Thunderbird) | from a flash drive or other portable USB device]]. If you're using [http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/thunderbird_portable Portable Thunderbird] [http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan Toucan] is a utility lets you synchronise, backup and secure your data. It also supports command line arguments so that you could use it in a batch file. | * Install and run Thunderbird [[Running from a USB drive (Thunderbird) | from a flash drive or other portable USB device]]. If you're using [http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/thunderbird_portable Portable Thunderbird] [http://portableapps.com/apps/utilities/toucan Toucan] is a utility lets you synchronise, backup and secure your data. It also supports command line arguments so that you could use it in a batch file. | ||
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* Set Thunderbird to leave incoming mail on the server (for a long enough period of time) so that the same messages can be downloaded on both computers. | * Set Thunderbird to leave incoming mail on the server (for a long enough period of time) so that the same messages can be downloaded on both computers. | ||
:* | :*If you don't care about synchronizing the folder(s) storing copies of messages you sent: | ||
::*Check "Leave messages on server" and "For at most X days" in Tools -> Account Settings -> [account name] -> Server Settings on each computer. | |||
:*If you do care about synchronizing the folder(s) storing copies of any messages you sent: | |||
:* | ::*For the ''secondary'' computer only (such as a laptop), go to "[[Menu differences in Windows, Linux, and Mac|Tools -> Account Settings]] -> [account name] -> Server Settings", check the box for "Leave messages on server", and then set "Tools -> Account Settings -> Copies & Folders -> Bcc these email addresses" to automatically send yourself a copy of any messages you send. | ||
::*On your ''primary'' computer write a [[Filters (Thunderbird)| message filter]] that moves those messages to your Sent folder and marks them as read. | |||
* Use a script or batch file like [http://gemal.dk/mozilla/profilesync.html 4NT] to synchronize the files in two profiles. This method is most likely to cause problems, especially if you forget to synchronize before doing something that modifies the profile. | * Use a script or batch file like [http://gemal.dk/mozilla/profilesync.html 4NT] to synchronize the files in two profiles. This method is most likely to cause problems, especially if you forget to synchronize before doing something that modifies the profile. | ||
* [http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/ Unison] is a file synchronization tool that runs on both | * [http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~bcpierce/unison/ Unison] is a file synchronization tool that runs on both Windows and Linux that can synchronize files on two or more computers. If there are conflicting updates it displays them and lets the user choose the appropriate action. | ||
* [https://www.foldershare.com/ FolderShare] is a Windows Live service that lets you synchronize files across multiple devices, and share the files. It supports automatic and on-demand synching using server software that runs in the background. | * [https://www.foldershare.com/ FolderShare] is a Windows Live service that lets you synchronize files across multiple devices, and share the files. It supports automatic and on-demand synching using server software that runs in the background. | ||
Revision as of 13:21, 10 May 2008
- This article was written for Thunderbird but also applies to Mozilla Suite / SeaMonkey (though some menu sequences may differ).
There are several different ways to synchronize messages on two different computers.
- If possible, switch to an IMAP account. All your mail (incoming, outgoing, drafts, etc.) will be stored on the server and be accessible from multiple computers. Many IMAP providers also let you configure your account (server-side) to fetch mail from separate POP accounts. You could also use the Synch Kolab extension to synchronize your address books.
- Install and run Thunderbird from a flash drive or other portable USB device. If you're using Portable Thunderbird Toucan is a utility lets you synchronise, backup and secure your data. It also supports command line arguments so that you could use it in a batch file.
- Install Thunderbird separately on each computer but store your profile on a portable USB device or on a network file share. To launch Thunderbird with that profile, use the -profile "path" command line argument.
- Set Thunderbird to leave incoming mail on the server (for a long enough period of time) so that the same messages can be downloaded on both computers.
- If you don't care about synchronizing the folder(s) storing copies of messages you sent:
- Check "Leave messages on server" and "For at most X days" in Tools -> Account Settings -> [account name] -> Server Settings on each computer.
- If you do care about synchronizing the folder(s) storing copies of any messages you sent:
- For the secondary computer only (such as a laptop), go to "Tools -> Account Settings -> [account name] -> Server Settings", check the box for "Leave messages on server", and then set "Tools -> Account Settings -> Copies & Folders -> Bcc these email addresses" to automatically send yourself a copy of any messages you send.
- On your primary computer write a message filter that moves those messages to your Sent folder and marks them as read.
- Use a script or batch file like 4NT to synchronize the files in two profiles. This method is most likely to cause problems, especially if you forget to synchronize before doing something that modifies the profile.
- Unison is a file synchronization tool that runs on both Windows and Linux that can synchronize files on two or more computers. If there are conflicting updates it displays them and lets the user choose the appropriate action.
- FolderShare is a Windows Live service that lets you synchronize files across multiple devices, and share the files. It supports automatic and on-demand synching using server software that runs in the background.
