Asa Dotzler: Firefox and more

Nice.
Quick question: Do you know if this means they will directly be contributing to what we know as Thunderbird? Or do they plan to create a new version of Eudora based on Thunderbird?

I guess what I'm asking is, will Future Eudora users be using Thunderbird or a Eudora based on Thunderbird. Non of the articles I've read, including the wiki seem to answer that,

Yeah, I just read this too. But why forking Thunderbird and make a competing product? Why not just join forces and make _the_ killer mail client.

The next version of Eudora will ship on top of the Mozilla Thunderbird framework, with some modifications to accommodate users who are familiar with the Eudora user interface. The two teams will be working together in the Mozilla CVS repository and both products will benefit from that collaboration. The two products serve different user bases today so there will be distinct product releases, but it's still a big win for both.

Think about it for a second. The Eudora developers and the Thunderbird developers working together will result in the most concentrated group of experts on how mail should work on the face of the planet. I think that's damn cool.

- A

After removing lots of marketing fuzz, it could also read like this: Eudora is giving up its own mail client and is moving all remaining customers to a re-labeled Thunderbird. Reminds me a bit of the all-new Netscape 6 browser that continued the long tradition of Netscape browsers. Though I never used Eudora, its a bit sad to loose this mail client with its long tradition, from a diversity point of view.

is firefox and thunderbird tradmark mozilla foundation or mozilla corparation?

The Mozilla Foundation owns the various Mozilla trademarks.

- A

Thanks Asa, for the clarification.
I agree this is very cool stuff, I just wish the press releases and relevant articles would explain what the situation is a bit better.

Why is Eudora moving to an open source development platform?
http://www.eudora.com/faq/#why
QUALCOMM has decided not to remain in the email market because it is not in alignment with the core business or strategic goals. By moving Eudora to an open source product, QUALCOMM can exit the Eudora business while still supporting Eudora users and advancing the Eudora e-mail client at a faster pace than before, through the power of the open source development community.

Does this mean that (many of) the items in https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=213562 will be fixed???

That would be great news!!!

I've never used Eudora either, but from their press info, and even their FAQ (http://www.eudora.com/faq/), it looks like they're trying to merge people slowly to Thunderbird, building upon Thunderbird to make a Eudora-like interface. The base will be Thunderbird, but with Eudora interface. I wouldn't be surprised if in a year or two, we start seeing Eudora type Addons and themes.

last version of Eudora I used was years ago and it would randomly make my toolbars disappear or change position (can't remember which, exactly). It was hyped as the best thing since sliced bread at the time, and it probably had lots of features, but as far as stability and me being comfortable with it? Not a chance. I promptly dumped it for Outlook Express (of all things!).

Years after that, they turned to some advertising model which made me laugh even more (never tried the ad-supported version).

I switched to Thunderbird a year or so ago. Especially with Portable Thunderbird on a USB drive http://www.portable.apps I am extremely pleased and don't really desire anything more.

erm, that url was meant to read www.portableapps.com

Yes, anyway, Thunderbird for the win.
Hopefully this news will bear fruit for Thunderbird, though I don't have particularly high hopes of the Eudora people offering much.

Why is Eudora moving to an open source development platform? QUALCOMM has decided not to remain in the email market because it is not in alignment with the core business or strategic goals. By moving Eudora to an open source product, QUALCOMM can exit the Eudora business while still supporting Eudora users and advancing the Eudora e-mail client at a faster pace than before, through the power of the open source development community.