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Thunderbird Support Articles Only Show Information Based Upon User Agent? (WHAT!)

mozerlafoxfire
mozerlafoxfire
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Forgive me if this is not the correct forum, but here it goes...

Upon helping a client migrate data to Thunderbird on a Windows 10 machine, I noticed this issue. I just finished up configuring Thunderbird on Windows 10 for a client, and I wanted to write down some notes on the process of migration from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird to speed things up in the future. Nice.

When setting up Thunderbird, I referenced this support article on their machine Window's machine (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switching-thunderbird) that gave all the information for Windows Live. Perfect!

However, later on when using a Apple MacOS machine to load that same article, I can only see information pertaining to Apple Support. What?

Maybe someone way smarter than me decided to make that just a catch all link that serves information based on your user agent. Weird. But, ok, I understand.

But, how do I, a lowly peon, find support for an operating system I am not currently using?

So I think real hard and try something else. I google 'Windows Live Email Import to Thunderbird.' Ha!

But I was still a fool. A fool looking at a mirage in desert sands of search results. That google search resulted with this SAME support link (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switching-thunderbird) with an extended blurb on the steps to accomplish this on a Windows Machine (*pic 1), but when clicking through the link, I only see support for Apple MacOS.

So I start to think even harder. Is that link just a catch all link that servers you information based on your user agent? I installed an add on for Firefox to change the user-agent to Windows, but I still receive Apple MacOS support.

Automatically serving up information based on user agent is fine 90% of the time, but I would recommend an option to select what operating system you want support for, or at least some kind of hard link.

I believe I've been as thorough as I can documenting the insanity that is Thunderbird's Support Articles.

Thank you for reading, and I wait with bated breath on a resolution; not necessarily for me, nay, for the others who will come after me in search of an answer to this bizarre quest.

Yours Truly, mozerlafoxfire

  • tried to upload a pic of the google search result, but the thumbnail for the uploaded image is still just loading.gif
Forgive me if this is not the correct forum, but here it goes... Upon helping a client migrate data to Thunderbird on a Windows 10 machine, I noticed this issue. I just finished up configuring Thunderbird on Windows 10 for a client, and I wanted to write down some notes on the process of migration from Windows Live Mail to Thunderbird to speed things up in the future. Nice. When setting up Thunderbird, I referenced this support article on their machine Window's machine (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switching-thunderbird) that gave all the information for Windows Live. Perfect! However, later on when using a Apple MacOS machine to load that same article, I can only see information pertaining to Apple Support. What? Maybe someone way smarter than me decided to make that just a catch all link that serves information based on your user agent. Weird. But, ok, I understand. But, how do I, a lowly peon, find support for an operating system I am not currently using? So I think real hard and try something else. I google 'Windows Live Email Import to Thunderbird.' Ha! But I was still a fool. A fool looking at a mirage in desert sands of search results. That google search resulted with this SAME support link (https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/switching-thunderbird) with an extended blurb on the steps to accomplish this on a Windows Machine (*pic 1), but when clicking through the link, I only see support for Apple MacOS. So I start to think even harder. Is that link just a catch all link that servers you information based on your user agent? I installed an add on for Firefox to change the user-agent to Windows, but I still receive Apple MacOS support. Automatically serving up information based on user agent is fine 90% of the time, but I would recommend an option to select what operating system you want support for, or at least some kind of hard link. I believe I've been as thorough as I can documenting the insanity that is Thunderbird's Support Articles. Thank you for reading, and I wait with bated breath on a resolution; not necessarily for me, nay, for the others who will come after me in search of an answer to this bizarre quest. Yours Truly, mozerlafoxfire *tried to upload a pic of the google search result, but the thumbnail for the uploaded image is still just loading.gif

Chosen solution

Look on side panel for Editing Tools then Customize this article for version and OS.

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All Replies (2)

James
James
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Chosen Solution

Look on side panel for Editing Tools then Customize this article for version and OS.

mozerlafoxfire
mozerlafoxfire Question owner
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Your quick response is much appreciated, James.

This definitely solves my issue!

My suggestion: add more concise language indicating more than just editing options. Or have those alternative versions options in a different drop down menu.

The name 'editing tools' does not convey that information well.

Thank you!