How can I disconnect a subthread from the rest of the thread?
Hi! I friend of mine, who also uses TB, abuses threading by sending a large amount of emails with quit different subjects as ONE thread. So it would be VERY nice to be able to cut subthreads off from the rest of the huge thread to make some order in the chaos he creates. I have tried searching for a 'disconnect subthread' add-on, but no results. Thank you. :-)
All Replies (9)
You can probably do this by editing the Subject or References header, with the HeaderTools Lite add-on.
Hi sfhowes
Thank you for your reply. I will try that add-on - while looking at that info on threading in TB.
Now I have tried it. It doesn't really help. MAYBE if you make complex changes to the References:-header in every email message in the subthread. But that is practically impossible. And you can not easily edit the 'In-Reply-To:'-header. So in practice I guess you have to move the subthread to a new folder(?!)
After you modify the header in the unwanted messages, I think you have to re-index the folder (right-click, Properties, Repair Folder) to force the messages out of the thread.
OK. But I moved the 'falsely' threaded messages to some new folders. And I don't want to waste more time on those messages from that spammer. :-)
Henrik R. said
OK. But I moved the 'falsely' threaded messages to some new folders. And I don't want to waste more time on those messages from that spammer. :-)
The problem you are encountering is generally caused by folk selecting a previous email, selecting reply and then deleting everything. Perhaps they are just not able to address an email.
Unfortunately the process leaves the references in the message header, so threading continues. Perhaps suggest the use edit as new instead of reply if they do not know how to address an email. This will remove the references header information, but allow then to continue in their bad habits otherwise.
Generic information on threading here https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/message-threading-thunderbird more specific details here https://wiki.mozilla.org/MailNews:Message_Threading
The wiki describe hidden preferences accessible in the config editor that will allow some specific changes. But what you want is just not there.
I have explained to that person how his 'Reply All' habit destroys all order for me. He doesn't WANT to change his bad habit, because then he would have to create a mailing list instead of just hitting 'Reply all'. The most ridiculous thing is that he actually uses TB...
Henrik R. said
I have explained to that person how his 'Reply All' habit destroys all order for me. He doesn't WANT to change his bad habit, because then he would have to create a mailing list instead of just hitting 'Reply all'. The most ridiculous thing is that he actually uses TB...
Edit as new keeps the address list, it just clears the references and linking information so it goes out as a new mail. However I have found there is no reasoning with some people. the only result I ever got was to simply ignore all their mail, until they asked why I was doing that. Told them if they wanted a reply email responsibly and then continued to ignore them. It took about a year, but that one came around. Others I just blocked their emails from the mailing lists. Folks that stubborn usually are not adding anything to your life anyway.
Matt said
Henrik R. saidI have explained to that person how his 'Reply All' habit destroys all order for me. He doesn't WANT to change his bad habit, because then he would have to create a mailing list instead of just hitting 'Reply all'. The most ridiculous thing is that he actually uses TB...Edit as new keeps the address list, it just clears the references and linking information so it goes out as a new mail.
Great idea! I have sent it to the spammer!