btw, I do see a "Reply All" button in Customize....

Why not "Select All?"

I think that because the Select All command is executed so easily by typing Ctrl+A, the devs don't think a button that does exactly what Ctrl+A does would be a worthwhile addition to the interface.

If you enable the Select Messages column, there is a box at the left end that selects (deselects) all messages when checked(see picture).

See my screenshot for what Ctrl-A does to a message window that's full, and there are many not on the screen, and all have been selected by that one tiny hotkey combination.

@ Wisewiz > I think that because the Select All command is executed so easily by typing Ctrl+A

Yeah, and Reply All also has a similar keyboard shortcut.

So, what's your point?

Why was iit apparently so easy to include the "Reply All" button, but the "Select All" button seems to be so toxic?

Serious question.

@ sfhowes > If you enable the Select Messages column,

Yeah, that's not what i asked.

More deflection from the problem.

@ WiseWiz> See my screenshot for what Ctrl-A does to a message window that's full

Yeah, I know that.

But i will go back to my original question...

Why cannot I put a button on my toolbar for "Select All?"

There used to be a most helpful add-in, but the numerous API changes kills that option.

But really, is this thread really going to make me go through all the use-case justifications that I have posted here in the past?

If that is the case, well, my view of Thunderbird has just plummeted.

All I have asked for was a simple replacement for the Select All plug-in.

If that is (as it seems to be) beyond the capabilities of the current developers, why not say so, and we are can just move on.

But all I see here is deflection and non-solutions.

Why?

@ WiseWiz> See my screenshot for what Ctrl-A does to a message window that's full Yeah, I know that. But i will go back to my original question... Why cannot I put a button on my toolbar for "Select All?"

I would guess because one does not exist! That is essentially what you have been told in this thread and your last. Have you formally requested such a thing? https://bugzilla.mozilla.org or even made a suggestion about it in the feedback forum? https://connect.mozilla.org/ If not I suggest you do.

There used to be a most helpful add-in, but the numerous API changes kills that option.

And that part of the discussion was detailed in your earlier topic. Nothing with regard to historical API changes is going to change. Add-ons are not supported on this forum as they are supported by their authors. Clearly the author of your add-on ceased updating it. Fundamentally it is no longer available. That is ALL we can report to you.

But really, is this thread really going to make me go through all the use-case justifications that I have posted here in the past?

Nope, actually to request features is off topic in the support forum, and you should have been pointed to the correct ways to request change rather than allowed to continue here. There is nothing anyone in a peer user support forum such as this can do that you can not do yourself.

All I have asked for was a simple replacement for the Select All plug-in.

And such a thing does not exist. No amount of discussing or lamenting will change that. I have given you the appropriate venues to request change. This is not one of them. Sorry.

If that is (as it seems to be) beyond the capabilities of the current developers, why not say so, and we are can just move on.

As no one has asked them (the developers) it is rather difficult to determine what is possible. I would think it would be fairly simple, but just because I think that does not mean anyone of the paid developers will actually implement it. First it will need to be requested.

But all I see here is deflection and non-solutions. Why?

You are asking in the wrong place of the wrong people might be a large part of your issue with getting what you think is acceptable service. You want the product changed to to include a button that has never been in the core product. This is simply the wrong place to request such a thing. This is user support where folk try and explain how to do what you want without the button. The addon developer has seen fit to not release a version of that button in recent years. (It might not even be possible. I am not an addon developer.) so from a support perspective the only option is a workaround.

Hi Matt...

Have you formally requested such a thing? https://bugzilla.mozilla.org or even made a suggestion about it in the feedback forum? https://connect.mozilla.org/ If not I suggest you do.

Thank-you for that.

I had not known about it. I had thought this community forum was the place to discuss new features.

Here on this support forum, we are neither Thunderbird developers nor Add-Ons developers, but users like you. The only difference may be that we are here to help as much as we can, while many come here only to have their complaints heard and to seek the help we try to give.

"Here on this support forum, we are neither Thunderbird developers nor Add-Ons developers, but users like you."

I now know that because of Matt's reply to me.

Maybe something along those lines could be added to the front page(s) of this support forum, pointing to the appropriate place for feedback.

thx for the reply.