Release a Minimal Version of Thunderbird: Thunderbird Basic

[Anonymous]

Features like newsgroups, chats and RSS feeds have their place, but they're not what most people care about in an email app. These days, most people want only stuff like having their calendar and contacts other than email in an email client. So release a minimal version of Thunderbird called Thunderbird Basic alongside side Thunderbird with just these core functionality.

Benefits to the users:

• Uncluttered UI: By stripping away unnecessary features, Thunderbird's user interface can become cleaner and more intuitive.
• Security: Every additional feature introduces a attack surface. By removing unnecessary features, it reduces the risk of potential attack surface.
• App Footprint: A minimal version of Thunderbird will have a smaller memory footprint and a reduced app size.

Impact on Current Users' Experience:

This proposal won't affect existing Thunderbird users. Instead, it will be released as another variant alongside Thunderbird, similar to how Firefox and Firefox Developer Edition coexist. Those who prefer a basic email experience can install Thunderbird Basic, while others can continue using the full-featured version.

Acknowledgement:

The idea is inspired by F-Droid release a simpler version called F-Droid Basic and Debian packaging a stripped-down version of KeePassXC with only core features.

[Jon]

Thanks for submitting an idea to the Mozilla Connect community! Your idea is now open to votes (aka kudos) and comments.

[RJRJ]

I totally agree. The simpler the better. I just want to read my emails, when presented, click to open a link, and move the emails to sub folders. That is it.

[glen_at_drc]

The newsgroups, chats and RSS feeds, and even calendar can be Mozilla maintained addons which the installer can offer.

[molitar]

I agree I hate the UI and because of Security I will have to drop the Thunderbird as right now still stuck on v102 because nobody has made any type of hacks to get back the old UI.  So that means I will drop it and go to Outlook it is a sad day when Outlook looks better than Thunderbird!  Developers just have to keep screwing up with new graphics that take away functionality for ugly user interfaces!

[filipefreire]

@molitarcute you think developers have total control over how the app looks 😄

Jokes aside, I fully support this proposal! Personally speaking, I just wanted an email client that didn't spy on me or served me ads (yes, I'm looking at you Outlook), so features like the RSS feed, Todo list and calendar are already solved problems for me, even though they're nice to haves, they just end up bloating the app for my use case.

And of course, the design could be refreshed or kept as is to not be too jarring versus the Full Thunderbird. I personally don't mind the design 🙂