Thunderbird and Gmail

[john9210]

I don't really understand how Thunderbird works with Gmail. In TB I organize all my messages in folders. It seems Gmail recreates these as labels. Is that correct. Also, are the messages in TB stored on my computer? Or do they just exist on the server. Finally, when ever I open the Gmail site, all my messages are in "All mail". I never archived any of my messages. How did they get into "All mail".

[smsmith]

Yes, Gmail uses labels as folders.

In Gmail, all your mail is also in the All Mail folder/label.

It sounds as if you have your Gmail setup as IMAP, so you have a copy in Thunderbird, with the original still in Gmail. If you move it in Thunderbird, it will move in Gmail. If you move it in Gmail, it will move it in Thunderbird.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Using_Gmail_w ... illa_Suite

[john9210]

Yes, I'm using IMAP. So, my messages reside on the server, not in TB. I suppose there is no need to use Mosbackup any more since it won't be able to restore messages to TB.

[smsmith]

It's always a good idea to make a backup of your profile, but to preserve your mail, IMAP certainly makes it a lot easier since all your mail is still on the server.

[mgagnonlv]

Yes, I'm using IMAP. So, my messages reside on the server, not in TB. I suppose there is no need to use Mosbackup any more since it won't be able to restore messages to TB.

Yes, the messages reside on the server.

Apart from that, if you check the Account parameters, under "Synch and disk space", you can check the following:
– decide which folders are saved locally
– whether you want to synch (i.e. save locally) all messages or only the most recent ones.

If you synch all messages and don't impose limits on the size of messages saved, then you will have a copy of all your messages locally on Thunderbird (and they still will be also on Gmail).