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Mozilla Thunderbird 3.1 is released June 24, 2010. Thunderbird 3.1 found on Fedora 14 and Fedora 13, but this version is not coming in earlier Fedora releases. So I decide to write guide, howto install Mozilla Thunderbird 3.1 (currently 3.1.7) on Fedora 14, Fedora 13 and Fedora 12 and even earlier releases, which has reach “End Of Life” Fedora 11 and even Fedora 10.

What’s new in Thunderbird 3.1⌗

  • Thunderbird 3.1 is based on the Gecko 1.9.2 platform – improved performance, stability, web compatibility, and code simplification and sustainability
  • Faster Search Results
  • Quick Filter Toolbar
  • New Migration Assistant – Thunderbird 2 users can choose the new features in Thunderbird 3.1 or to keep their current features and settings
  • Saved Files Manager – New Saved Files Manager displays all the files you downloaded from your email to your computer
  • Improved Mail Account Setup Wizard
  • Improvements to Stability, Memory, and Password Handling

Install Mozilla Thunderbird 3.1 (3.1.7)⌗

1. Change root user⌗ 

su -
## OR ##
sudo -i

2. Install Remi repository⌗

Note: Currently (2010-12-13) 3.1.7 version is available in official updates for Fedora 14. Remi repository is not needed.

## Remi Dependency on Fedora
rpm -Uvh http://download1.rpmfusion.org/free/fedora/rpmfusion-free-release-stable.noarch.rpm 
rpm -Uvh http://download1.rpmfusion.org/nonfree/fedora/rpmfusion-nonfree-release-stable.noarch.rpm

## Fedora 13
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-13.rpm

## Fedora 12
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-12.rpm
 
## Fedora 11
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-11.rpm
 
## Fedora 10
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-10.rpm
 
## Fedora 9
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-9.rpm
 
## Fedeora 8
rpm -Uvh http://rpms.famillecollet.com/remi-release-8.rpm

3. Check Available Thunderbird versions⌗ 

yum --enablerepo=remi list thunderbird

Output:

Loaded plugins: changelog, fastestmirror, presto, refresh-packagekit
...
remi                                                            | 3.0 kB     00:00     
remi/primary_db                                                 | 106 kB     00:00     
Installed Packages
thunderbird.i686                        3.0.5-1.fc13                           @updates
Available Packages
thunderbird.i586                        3.1.7-1.fc13                           @updates

4. Update or Install Thunderbird 3.1⌗ 

yum --enablerepo=remi update thunderbird
## OR ##
yum --enablerepo=remi install thunderbird

Output:

...
Setting up Update Process
Resolving Dependencies
--> Running transaction check
---> Package thunderbird.i586 0:3.1.7-1.fc13 set to be updated
--> Finished Dependency Resolution

Dependencies Resolved

=======================================================================================
 Package               Arch           Version                     Repository      Size
=======================================================================================
Updating:
 thunderbird           i586           3.1.7-1.fc13             updates            27 M

Transaction Summary
=======================================================================================
Install       0 Package(s)
Upgrade       1 Package(s)

Total download size: 27 M
Is this ok [y/N]: y
Downloading Packages:
Setting up and reading Presto delta metadata
Processing delta metadata
Package(s) data still to download: 27 M
thunderbird-3.1.7-1.fc13.i586.rpm                            |  27 MB     00:12     
Running rpm_check_debug
Running Transaction Test
Transaction Test Succeeded
Running Transaction
Warning: RPMDB altered outside of yum.
  Updating       : thunderbird-3.1.7-1.fc13.i586                                1/2 

WARNING : This thunderbird RPM is not an official Fedora build and it
overrides the official one. Don\'t file bugs on Fedora Project.
Use dedicated forums http://forums.famillecollet.com/

  Cleanup        : thunderbird-3.0.5-1.fc13.i686                                   2/2 

Updated:
  thunderbird.i586 0:3.1.7-1.fc13                                                   

Complete!

5. Start or Restart Thunderbird⌗

Thunderbird 3.1 Running on Fedora 13⌗