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vanden
Asked: 2010-08-11 19:44:04 +0800 CST

How can I access system mail in /var/mail/ via thunderbird?

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I've got cron jobs sending mail to my user at /var/mail. I know how to access that at the command line with the mail command. But, while a big command line fan, I do not like reading mail (even system mail) that way.

My mail client of choice is Thunderbird. Can I read /var/mail messages in Thunderbird? How?

I'm running Ubuntu 9.04 and Thunderbird 2.0.0.24 (though I'm soon to upgraded to 10.04).

thunderbird mail system

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    In Ubuntu 10.04, with Thunderbird 3, the option is accomplished by:

    1. Select Edit,   Account Settings

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    2. Choose Account Actions,   Add other account

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    3. Select Unix Spool (Movemail).

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    The UI to access this menu is slightly different in Thunderbird 2, but I didn't have it handy.

    In Thunderbird 2, do the following, adapted from the Gmail FAQ:

    1. Click the Tools menu, and select Account Settings..
    2. Click the Add Account... button to launch Account Wizard.
    3. Select Movemail from the list.
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