Release notes page does not give a procedure for updating
This is what I think:
The release notes reiterate that the version is only available as a direct download. One can only assume that if 102.1.0, for example, is already installed, that there must be some preferred procedure for using the download to update the existing installation.
Unfortunately there is no mention of any such procedure. There is no README. There is no INSTALL file. There is an executable called updater but running it yields:
Usage: updater patch-dir install-dir apply-to-dir [wait-pid [callback-working-dir callback-path args...]]
which is far from explanatory.
Since these updates are obviously generated by some sort of build script, it would seem to be a simple matter to add or clarify the update procedure. Once done, the work would not need to be repeated.
I would urge the developers to remember that not everyone who uses Thunderbird is a mozilla developer. The users lack many of the skills and background that are second nature to the developers. Without a bit more clarity, the average user cannot benefit from all the developer's hard work unless they can actually install the updates.
Thank you
Ændret af Wayne Mery den
Alle svar (8)
One can only assume that if 102.1.0, for example, is already installed, that there must be some preferred procedure for using the download to update the existing installation.
The release note refers to the initial download only, i.e. there is no automatic update from v91 (yet).
Once v102 has been installed updates are business as usual. I.e. either automatic, or manually checking for updates via the menu button at the top right of the Thunderbird window 
, then select Help > About Thunderbird
Ændret af christ1 den
Thank you. Perhaps 102.1.2 isn't ready to auto update.
This leaves me wondering, if this download is intended only for initial installs, why is there an update executable but no install executable or a README with an installation procedure?
Perhaps 102.1.2 isn't ready to auto update.
The latest version is 102.1.1.
why is there an update executable but no install executable or a README with an installation procedure?
I have no idea what you downloaded and from where. If you want to install the latest version or update to the latest version manually, download the full installer from https://www.thunderbird.net/ and run it. It's that simple.
I downloaded from here: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/download/
this file: thunderbird-102.1.1.tar.bz2
This is no updater executable, but just a tar archive. For instructions see https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/installing-thunderbird-linux#w_installing-thunderbird-manually-for-advanced-users
Thank you Why not put the text of that page in the README that is part of the download. I know that I am not the only one who has been stymied by the lack of those straightforward instructions.
essin said
Thank you. Perhaps 102.1.2 isn't ready to auto update. This leaves me wondering, if this download is intended only for initial installs, why is there an update executable but no install executable or a README with an installation procedure?
essin said
I downloaded from here: https://www.thunderbird.net/en-US/download/ this file: thunderbird-102.1.1.tar.bz2
There is no installer or setup or updater .exe as that is for Windows. Not sure about Thunderbird but Mozilla did have a installer of sorts for Linux version of Firefox long ago however it was a extra couple steps and more work compared to same end result of using the tarballs.
The basics with the tarball for Thunderbird (and Firefox) is you extract it and run the thunderbird-bin or firefox-bin to run them. Not unlike the .zip version of Firefox/Thunderbird for Windows if you ever used them.
You may want to make a launcher shortcut on panel or desktop or menu to the bin file.
If you installed Thunderbird (and Firefox) in a package manager then you get updates there as the tarbal version does not update those builds nor should they be installed over in folder.
To update your current (with tarbal version) Thunderbird/Firefox install with internal updates make sure the folder has read/write permissions for the user. A easy way is to have it in say /home/username/foldername
Thank you for all the info. I was able to get the Thunderbird update installed some time before creating the post here. There are several methods, all of which worked. 1) install from snap store, 2) using the procedure you suggested which I had already figured ot, etc.
The reason for the post was to call attention to the fact that the material offered on the download site is not enoigh, bynitself to get Thunderbird uodated. Thd question is often asked "Why has linux failed to become the primary OS for more users?" The answer, in part, is that those who create and maintain linux have such vast experience that they can't remember a time when they didn't know how to everything.
Apple made uniz palatable to the masses by wrapping it in a nice gui and by streamlining the install/update process. MS has done the same for it's OS and installers.
Linux lags far behind, although Fedora, imho, is much better that many.
When I have tried to suggest ways in which installers and documentation could be improved to help out those less experienced, I rarely get the response that I hoped for: "gee, thanks for pointing that out. Yes, it would be a simple thing to add a bit more documentation or fix whatever minor bug there might be. We'll do it right now and then it will be fixed permanently. "
I don't know how often you encounter a situation where an installation procedure fails; for me (and I install a lot of stuff) at least 20% of them fail. For example, VMware still can't figure out how to install workstation on Fedora and even Linus Torvald's uemacs makefile throws compiler warnings.
I really do appreciate all your suggestions, but I still apparently have not convinced you that it would take less time to make the changes that I suggested than it would to tell me how to work aroind the problem"
Maybe it just an organizational issue and you are not in a position to alter the download but ther must be someone who could, if they were motivated.
Thank you again