The free version of Open-Xchange has eventually been released for different Linux distributions. Binary versions are built using the OpenSuSE Build Service and are currently provided for
Open-Xchange contains groupware functions like eMail, calendar and administration of contacts. It is based on Java and uses an Ajax webinterface. It is provided under the GPL.
A quick install guide for our Debian users can be found here.
I. Abstract
Mozilla Thunderbird 3 alpha has been released on May 13th. It’s got a wonderful (terrible) working title: “Shredder Alpha 1”. Anyway, there are two features that we Mac users definitly appreciate to read:
Well to be serious, we don’t really care if it is a native Cocoa app or whatever app it is, if it is running stable in the end. But we do care about the address book integration. For all iPhone users this is really good news. We never had the chance to use Thunderbird and have the email addresses synchronized with our beloved iPhone.
But there are disadvantages at this very moment. First being the integration. Integration of the address book is a one way street only. Currently we can only synchronize our iPhone with our Mac and have the addresses, phone numbers and mail addresses available in Thunderbird. But you still won’t be able to add new contacts, phone numbers or email addresses to your OS X Address Book using Thunderbird. Thunderbird 3 alpha has read access only. To change entries you need to use the OS X Address Book application. Second disadvantage is, the address book integration has been disabled by default, simply because this compatibility module is under heavy development. In this article we’re gonna show you how to enable it in simple steps.
As note: although we didn’t experience any problems while testing during the last week, we have to point out that this is an alpha release that is not intended for productivity use.
II. Requirements
III. Thunderbird’s Config Editor
We assume you already have Thunderbird 3 alpha installed. Follow these steps:
Preferences menuAdvanced menuGeneral you will find the Config Editor... button – click itYou will see a picture similar like that:
Since you know what you are doing, otherwise you would not be here reading this article, just click the “I'll be careful, I promise” button.
IV. How to add new values
After having promised that you won’t destroy your own system, you will see a new window, which is titled “about: config“. The window will look similar like this:
Some more instructions here: with a click on the right mouse button (or ctrl+left mouse button!) you open the context menu in the Config Editor.
V. Add the description tag
As shown add a New > String value. You will be asked to Enter the preference name, then. Enter this:
ldap_2.servers.osx.descriptionOK
After clicking OK a new box will ask you to Enter the string value. Enter this:
System Address BookOK
VI. Add the dirtype tag
As shown add a New > String value. You will be asked to Enter the preference name, then. Enter this:
ldap_2.servers.osx.dirtypeOK
After clicking OK a new box will ask you to Enter the string value. Enter this:
3OKVII. Add the uri tag
And again friends: as shown add a New > String value. You will be asked to Enter the preference name, then. Enter this:
ldap_2.servers.osx.uriOK
After clicking OK a new box will ask you to Enter the string value. Enter this:
moz-abosxdirectory:///OK
You’re almost done.
Just restart your Thunderbird and you will have entries of your OS X’s Address Book available in Thunderbird.
VIII. Conclusions
We found no problems with our system configuration during testing. But as said: Thunderbird 3 is alpha status. Problems and issues may occur on your system and alpha status also means there will be changes to the final version.
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