Setting Up Thunderbird 2 (Mac)
This document will help you configure Thunderbird for Mac OS X to work with your USC email account.
Thunderbird is a full-featured email program that also offers RSS and newsgroup services. For additional information about Thunderbird and its services, please visit the Thunderbird Project website. This website is not maintained by ITS, and ITS is not responsible for the content on the website.
What You Will Need
- A connection to the Internet.
- A USC username and password.
- A copy of the latest build or version of Thunderbird for Mac, which you can download for free from the Thunderbird project website, at Thunderbird Project website.
Using the Import Wizard
If you have never used Thunderbird before, the Import Wizard will launch the first time you open Thunderbird. If you want to migrate settings or messages from another email client, such as Netscape, you can do so by selecting appropriate options in the Import Wizard.
- Double-click the Thunderbird icon to start the application.
The wizard gives you the option to import from Mozilla or Netscape.
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Select what you want to import and click Next to automatically import your mail, account settings, and address books(if any).
New Account Setup
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For the first time, the Account Wizard might launch automatically.
If it does not, open the File menu, select New and click Account. The Account Wizard should open.
- Enter your name as you want it to appear on outgoing email messages in Your Name box. Enter your USC email address and click Next.
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Select the type of your incoming server. USC recommends the use of IMAP (see IMAP vs. POP3) Enter your server address: email.usc.edu
Note: If you choose to use POP3, you may check Use Global Inbox. Many people with multiple POP mail accounts prefer to use Global Inbox, where all mail is stored and managed in one folder directory. Caution: by default, Thunderbird will not leave email on server after download.
Then enter the outgoing email server: email.usc.edu
Click Next.
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Type in your USC username both for both Incoming User Name and Outgoing User Name and click Next.
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You will then be asked to name your account. You can leave the default, which
is your email address or choose to name it anything you wish. Click Next.
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The final screen summarizes the information that you just entered. Review the
information and click Finish.
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After clicking Finish you now have only one or two more things to set up.
Go to the Tools option, select Account Settings and then click the Outgoing Server (SMTP) option. Select your USC outgoing server and click Edit. Make sure that Use name and password is checked under Security and Authentication, and that TLS is selected under Use secure connection. In the Port field under Settings, type 587. If you are off-campus, you may use your Internet Provider's Outgoing settings if you wish, but email.usc.edu will work from any ISP as long as you use a valid USC username and password along with an TLS connection on port 587.
From this menu, you may also customize the settings for the account, and how Thunderbird behaves when using this account. This includes leaving a copy of messages on the server for a POP account, and setting up SSL for your incoming server.
Checking your email
To check for new email, launch Thunderbird and it will ask you for your password (unless you asked Password Manager to remember it). After you type in your password, you should see your new email in your Inbox displayed in bold.
- If you are already running Thunderbird, click the Get Mail button on the toolbar.
- You can also click the File menu, select Get New Mail For and then select the email account you want to check.
Composing and Sending Email
To write and send a message, click the Write button on the tool bar, or select the File menu, then select New, and then click Message. Both these functions will bring up a Compose message window.
- In the To: field, type the recipient's email address. You can enter multiple addresses by separating each address with a comma.
- In the Subject: field, type a brief description of your message.
- After completing the To: and Subject: fields, type your message in the space below. When you are finished, click the Send button.
Getting Help
Thunderbird has online help guides to assist you with its additional features. To find it look under the Help menu or visit the Thunderbird project website at http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird .
Last updated:
February 03, 2011