Importing Email from Netscape Communicator

[Stoney]

How do we import Netscape Communicator email archives into TBird? The
Mozilla Messaging help page shows a pop up dialog with choices of
importing Communicator, Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express. But my
installed Thunderbird 8.0 dialog omits the Communicator choice.

I noticed that a number of frequent contributors here still run older
versions of TBird. Would it help to first install an older version
having the Communicator import option, then import the email, then
upgrade to a more recent if there is compelling reason to upgrade? I
have survived with Communicator 4.8 for eons, so older does not concern
me as long as it works. My email archives have some folders about 1 gb
in size. Any problem with the size in TBird?

Thanks.

[Ron Hunter]

That might be a safer alternative. I know that the way TB saves
passwords has changed over the versions, so installing TB2 then going to
TB3, and then to TB9 might be a good path. The 1GB folders should be no
problem.

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/07/2012 05:04 AM, Stoney wrote:
> How do we import Netscape Communicator email archives into TBird? The
> Mozilla Messaging help page shows a pop up dialog with choices of
> importing Communicator, Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express. But my
> installed Thunderbird 8.0 dialog omits the Communicator choice.

-=-

if all you want is emails, with thunderbird closed, copy the archived
folder files into a location below "Local Folders".

open thunderbird and they will be picked up.

no need to revert to an earlier v/r of thunderbird.

--
peace out.

tc, hago.

walking the walk. long live tux.

g
.

*please reply "plain text" only. "html text" are deleted*

[Ron K.]

gla...@linuxuser.iam on 1/7/2012 8:47 AM, keyboarded a reply:

>
> On 01/07/2012 05:04 AM, Stoney wrote:
>> How do we import Netscape Communicator email archives into TBird? The
>> Mozilla Messaging help page shows a pop up dialog with choices of
>> importing Communicator, Eudora, Outlook, Outlook Express. But my
>> installed Thunderbird 8.0 dialog omits the Communicator choice.
> -=-
>
> if all you want is emails, with thunderbird closed, copy the archived
> folder files into a location below "Local Folders".
>
> open thunderbird and they will be picked up.
>
> no need to revert to an earlier v/r of thunderbird.
>

While Netscape Communicator 4.xx also used the Berkley Mbox message
storage format, the summary files are much different. The importing of NC
mail does work with TB2, my brother did that with our fathers setup a few
years ago.

--
Ron K.
Who is General Failure, and why is he searching my HDD?
Kernel Restore reported Major Error used BSOD to msg the enemy!

[Chris Ilias]

On 12-01-07 8:47 AM, gla...@linuxuser.iam wrote:

> if all you want is emails, with thunderbird closed, copy the archived
> folder files into a location below "Local Folders".
>
> open thunderbird and they will be picked up.

I'm not sure they'll be picked up. It's best to create the folders in
TB, then close TB and replace the newly created files with the old ones.

--
Chris Ilias <http://ilias.ca>
Mailing list/Newsgroup moderator

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/07/2012 09:08 PM, Chris Ilias wrote:
> On 12-01-07 8:47 AM, gla...@linuxuser.iam wrote:
>
>> if all you want is emails, with thunderbird closed, copy the archived
>> folder files into a location below "Local Folders".
>>
>> open thunderbird and they will be picked up.
>
> I'm not sure they'll be picked up. It's best to create the folders in
> TB, then close TB and replace the newly created files with the old ones.

-=-

i have a bunch of netscape email files, all the way back to netscape 1.3
and i am able to pull them into this 2.0.0.24 (20111108) linux release.
and i can pull them into fedora os which uses a 3.x v/r.

granted, op is using a later release and asking about going back to a
2.x release to pull in files.

what i did not emphasize and make sure that it was clearly understood,
*folder files*. i said nothing about index/summary files, which i admit
for clarity.

if op is using a more current thunderbird v/r, 8, 9 or what ever and
pre creates folders, would it not be best if he removes index/summary
files along with panacea.dat or what ever is main index/summary file
in his v/r and let it be recreated? tho to me, that would be very much
same as just moving folder files in.

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

chris,

excuse top post.

because i was pulling selected emails that i found from searching
folder files with a text editor, and thinking about old structure,
i may have put;

From -

at begining of emails that i brought in.

the emails are now archived of this system and i will need to locate
dvd's they are on.

i will look for them and post back tomorrow.

[Stoney]

snip

Thanks to all of you above. Success! I have run some tests and this is how it
works using the glad2be method with one additional step required. This is
possibly easier than the first idea of loading TBird 2.0, using the import
wizard, then upgrading to a current version, although that approach might be
more fully automatic.

In Communicator, we can have folders for Adams, Brown, and Cook each with
multiple individual emails. Those folders CAN be moved directly to the "Local
Folders" under Thunderbird using Windows Explorer with Tbird closed. They show
up under Local Folders in TBird email when TBird is opened and then open as
they would in Communicator.

However, in Communicator, and prevalent in my archives, we can group those
three folders under a sub-folder of the Inbox, and call it Friends A-C. That
shows up in Explorer as FriendsA-C.sbd folder. If we move the sbd folder
containing those several folders A, B, and C to TBird Local Folders, when we
open TBird, the .sbd folder is no where to be found, even though it is listed
in Windows Explorer the same as the individual folders that do transport
correctly.

There is a solution, but it takes a bit more work. We have to show the
contents of the sbd folder in Windows Explorer, and move the contents over to
Tbird Local Folder. Then, we open TBird and all that content will appear. We
now create a new folder under Local Folders in TBird while it is running, and
name it Friends A-C. Then the contents (Folders Adams,Brown, Cook) can be
moved into that newly created folder, in TBird not in Explorer, while TBird is
running. When TBird is closed, the folders appear as they should in Windows
Explorer under the TBird Local Folders. The sbd folders that did not get this
second step are still showing in Explorer, but not in TBird. Note that in
doing these file transfers we moved only the files/folders with no extension,
and did not move any .snm files.

Thanks. This was what I needed to finally retire Communicator from active
duty. I hope my explanation is clear and will help others make the move.

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/08/2012 05:58 AM, Stoney wrote:
<>

> Thanks to all of you above. Success! I have run some tests and this is how it
> works using the glad2be method with one additional step required. This is
> possibly easier than the first idea of loading TBird 2.0, using the import
> wizard, then upgrading to a current version, although that approach might be
> more fully automatic.

-=-

welcome.

you have another way to do it and as the saying goes, 'what ever works for
you, use it'. it is a bit more than what i found to work, but your way
worked and that is what counts.

i will presume that netscape v/r i last used may have been later than what
you used.

reason being is that files i pulled in a few minutes ago from archives are
multi emails in a common folder file. all i did was copy folder files into
a sub folder under "Local Folders" and open thunderbird.

if you look at source of your old emails and compare them to new emails,
you will see difference at start of header. i will presume that this is
something that is added when you import old email files into new v/r.

anyway, i am glad to see that you where able to get your old emails into
a current thunderbird v/r.

"no guts, no blue chips".

[Stoney]

gla...@linuxuser.iam wrote:

> On 01/08/2012 05:58 AM, Stoney wrote:
> <>
>
> > Thanks to all of you above. Success! I have run some tests and this is how it
> > works using the glad2be method with one additional step required. This is
> > possibly easier than the first idea of loading TBird 2.0, using the import
> > wizard, then upgrading to a current version, although that approach might be
> > more fully automatic.
> -=-
>
> welcome.
>
> you have another way to do it and as the saying goes, 'what ever works for
> you, use it'. it is a bit more than what i found to work, but your way
> worked and that is what counts.
>
> i will presume that netscape v/r i last used may have been later than what
> you used.
>
> reason being is that files i pulled in a few minutes ago from archives are
> multi emails in a common folder file. all i did was copy folder files into
> a sub folder under "Local Folders" and open thunderbird.
>
> if you look at source of your old emails and compare them to new emails,
> you will see difference at start of header. i will presume that this is
> something that is added when you import old email files into new v/r.
>

snip

Just to make a final clarification. Thanks again for your help. What you describe
above is what I did with success. The folders move from Communicator 4.8 to TBird
8.0 effortlessly, and all the header info is carried over, though slightly
rearranged. The extra steps required only come if you have combined several folders
into a subfolder under Inbox in Communicator.

Think of it as having many emails on each of several office buildings, and the same
for several shopping centers, and more on several development properties. All these
folder can be moved over. But, to keep some order and make it easier to find things
later, these folders had been combined under a sub-folder "Real Estate" in the
Inbox. To access the office buildings folder, I would first open the Real Estate
folder, then the office building folder. It is the higher tier folder "Real Estate"
that will not transport. It just does not show up in TBird when it is opened.

So, each of the subfolders need to be moved on their own while in Windows Explorer
with TBird off. That leaves the task of opening TBird, identifying them and
re-creating the Real Estate folder in TBird. A better way may emerge, but this one
works. In reality, for the very old archives, I may just retain Communicator
indefinitely to access some old files that may never be needed again, as it runs
alongside TBird with no problems so far.

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/08/2012 09:20 PM, Stoney wrote:
<>

> Just to make a final clarification. Thanks again for your help. What you
> describe above is what I did with success. The folders move from
> Communicator 4.8 to TBird 8.0 effortlessly, and all the header info is
> carried over, though slightly rearranged. The extra steps required only
> come if you have combined several folders into a subfolder under Inbox
> in Communicator.

-=-

you are very welcome.

ok.

i do not recall v/r of netscape communicator that i last used, but it
was last released after first thunderbird came out. at that time it was
just a simple import into thunderbird of what was active on system.

as i now recall, what i had to add the "From -" to was what i had built up
under linux KDE's 'evolution'. it kept each email in it's own separate file
and structure was no way near what thunderbird uses.

what i directly imported into thunderbird was from old n.c. archives when
i had to do some research using emails from what i had done years earlier.

> Think of it as having many emails on each of several office buildings
<>

-=-

understood.

> So, each of the subfolders need to be moved on their own
<>

-=-

ok.


as a suggestion and there is a lot of pro/con about this and i make
suggestion based on a mozillazine page i have yet to find and a lot of
reading of problems brought about by 'improper' sub folder building.

for your own sake of possible headaches and potential problems, _do not_
build sub folders under *any* "Inbox" folder.

there is a lot of email build up, filtering, and moving that goes on
with "Inbox" and because of it, problems can and do happen a lot with
"Inbox".

i can not say for sure, but i do believe that it happens when temp file
is built for "Inbox" when it is compacted and rebuilt. especially if
you are 'online' and new emails come in during compacting.

therefore i suggest that you build any and all sub folders under your
"Local Folders" folder.

your most critical folders are under your isp account's main folder and
they should stay as 'virgin' as possible.

i have filters for my 5 isp accounts and these filters move _everything_
to folders and sub folders under "Local Folders".

with this procedure, i have had *zero* problems with any folder, with
one exception and that was my own fault.

i ran a 'compact all folders' when i was 'online' and i learned my lesson.
i saw a pop window saying something about folder being busy.

then it seems that i over loaded thunderbird and memory and system locked
up. i could not get out of lockup and i had to power off and restart
computer.

when i restarted thunderbird, and i opened '2read' folder, which is where
i filter all my tech support emails. it was totally corrupt with screwed
'subject', 'recipient', 'sender', and 'date' columns. i also noted an
improper total email count.

i shut down thunderbird and open directory with '2read' file. there i
found a 'temp' file and 'temp.msf' file which was smaller than the '2read'
file. i presumed that they where the compressed emails and hope that
compressing had finished.

i moved '2read' and '2read.msf' files to a safe directory out of
thunderbird path and renamed temps to '2read'.

on a curious note, i opened the isp account directory and found the "Inbox"
file showing content. i opened it with a text editor and found it having
emails with new timestamps. i left it as is, moved to profile directory
and deleted 'panacea.dat file.

when i reopened thunderbird and after 'panacea.dat' rebuilt, i opened
isp account "Inbox" and there i found all the new emails.

i then opened '2read' folder and after it rebuilt, all looked good. and
i saw what i recalled as last thread at bottom. i then opened 'message
filters' and isp account and selected 'run filers'. all emails moved from
"Inbox" to '2read' and 2 other folders.

i opened '2read' again and all looked well. i do not care to imagine what
might have happened if i had not been filtering and moving emails from
account "Inbox".

this is just one example of what can happen to an "Inbox" if emails are
left in account "Inbox" and sub folders, if that is not where you have
built them.

so, if you wish, you can take a chance and ignore the advise.

or, 'cyoa' [cover your own ass] and decide how to set up folders and
sub folders under "Local Folders".


in closing, i am glad to know that you where able to get your old emails
moved in and that procedure worked for you.

do be aware of 1 thing. if you 'tag' a message and then move it to another
folder, 'tag' may not stay with email because old emails do not have;

X-Mozilla-Status:
X-Mozilla-Status2:
X-Mozilla-Keys:

headers. i imagine that these are added when you run an 'import'.

[Stoney]

gla...@linuxuser.iam wrote:

> On 01/08/2012 09:20 PM, Stoney wrote:
> <>
>
> > Just to make a final clarification. Thanks again for your help. What you
> > describe above is what I did with success. The folders move from
> > Communicator 4.8 to TBird 8.0 effortlessly, and all the header info is
> > carried over, though slightly rearranged. The extra steps required only
> > come if you have combined several folders into a subfolder under Inbox
> > in Communicator.
> -=-
>
> you are very welcome.
>
> ok.

> SNIP

>
>
> for your own sake of possible headaches and potential problems, _do not_
> build sub folders under *any* "Inbox" folder.
>

> SNIP

> therefore i suggest that you build any and all sub folders under your
> "Local Folders" folder.
>
> your most critical folders are under your isp account's main folder and
> they should stay as 'virgin' as possible.

> SNIP

> --
> peace out.
>
> tc, hago.
>
> walking the walk. long live tux.
>

Thanks for coming back on that, glad2be. It is a good thing you did because my
mis-spoken reference to putting folders "under Inbox" in my messages above must
have confused some people. I put you to some extra effort because of it, and I
apologize. In case there is still someone else out there who wants to move
Communicator files to TBird, I will take another stab at being clear and
correct for their benefit and the record.

I have been using Communicator for emails and news since it first came out. In
my mental image of how I do it, I put the subfolders under the Inbox. Going
back now and looking at the opened communicator dialog, I see that my mental
image is flawed, thankfully! In fact, I make subfolders routinely and drag
them, not to Inbox as I have been describing, but to "Local Mail" which of
course is the folder in Communicator under which all the sub folders fall. The
file structure displayed in Windows Explorer for Communicator shows simply
"mail" with all folders under it. One of those is "inbox". In the opened
Communicator dialog, "Local Mail" is at the top, easily missed, with Inbox and
all other folders shown as under "Local Mail". If you have created compilation
folders under "Local Mail" to collect some of the individual mail folders for
better organization, or just to shorten the list, those subfolders appear along
with the freestanding mail folders. I have not put any folders "into" the inbox
folder thankfully.

Over in Thunderbird, the file structure shown in Windows Explorer differs from
that. Under "mail" there are two folders. One is "Local Folders" and the other
is for lack of a better definition "ISP mail address". This second folder
contains the Inbox. The "Local Folder" has all the other message folders.

When you move the mail folders and the compilation subfolders from Communicator
"mail" to Thunderbird "Local Folders", all the folders move over, except the
compilation folders and their contents. They do not transport. You can display
the contents of those compilation folders in Windows Explorer, and move the
contents over to TBird. Then , with TBird opened, you can create new empty
compilation folders under "Local Folders", and move the individual message
folders you want into them, thus re-creating the compilation structure you had
in Communicator. If you don't care for compilation folders, this step is not
required. The original, short and sweet, instruction from glad2be is totally
correct for moving everything over if you don't have these compilation folders
to complicate the job. NOTE, as has been warned by others in other threads, be
sure Communicator and Thunderbird are closed when you move any files using
Windows Explorer or bad things will happen.

Note: TBird (version 8.0) offers a way to import mail from Eudora, Outlook, and
Outlook Expresss in tools/import/mail. If you were using Communicator, the
above method should work for you. It is like describing how an umbrella
works. Easier to do than to explain.

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/09/2012 07:13 PM, Stoney wrote:
<>


just to bring a little more clarification to what you stated.


when you use word "compilation" and you are meaning your,

"internet service provider", aka "isp",
or,
"email service provider", aka "esp",

where mozilla used word "account".


as for "Inbox", there 2 locations, under the "account" folder
and under "Local Folders".


as an addition to my previous post and 'compacting', when
'compacting' folders, thunderbird should be taken "offline"
to prevent any chance of a folder being *busy* and preventing
proper handling of new emails.

--
peace out.

tc, hago.

walking the walk. long live tux.

[Stoney]

gla...@linuxuser.iam wrote:

> On 01/09/2012 07:13 PM, Stoney wrote:
> <>
>
> just to bring a little more clarification to what you stated.
>
> when you use word "compilation" and you are meaning your,

By compilations I mean the subfolders that I create under Local Mail in
Communicator or Local Folders in TBird. In those subfolders, I put
message folders of similar subjects.

>
>
> "internet service provider", aka "isp",
> or,
> "email service provider", aka "esp",
>
> where mozilla used word "account".
>
> as for "Inbox", there 2 locations, under the "account" folder
> and under "Local Folders".

In my default install of TBird 8.0, the "account folder" has the only
Inbox. Under Local Folders I only show a Trash and Outbox.

>
>
> as an addition to my previous post and 'compacting', when
> 'compacting' folders, thunderbird should be taken "offline"
> to prevent any chance of a folder being *busy* and preventing
> proper handling of new emails.

Thanks for that tip. I would not have known to take it off line.

>

[gla...@linuxuser.iam]

On 01/10/2012 12:32 AM, Stoney wrote:
<>

> By compilations I mean the subfolders that I create under Local Mail in
> Communicator or Local Folders in TBird. In those subfolders, I put
> message folders of similar subjects.

-=-

ok

> In my default install of TBird 8.0, the "account folder" has the only
> Inbox. Under Local Folders I only show a Trash and Outbox.

-=-

ok. i have been running thunderbird too long to say for sure what i had
as default under "Local Folders".

i created a new user just to see what was default for this v/r to find
that "Inbox", "Sent", and "Trash" folders created as default under
"Local Folders".

i now have "Unsent", "Drafts", "Templates", and "Junk". i can not say
which were created due to my "Preferences", "Options" in ms, settings
and what i manually created.

> Thanks for that tip. I would not have known to take it off line.

-=-

welcome.

i do believe that not doing so is a cause of a lot of folder problems
that happen. if a folder is busy being compacted, downloading of emails
has to go somewhere and thunderbird will create a place for new emails
to go. problems occur because thunderbird does not move emails to proper
folders after compacting.