Lightning 0.8

• License:

  Free

• Editor's Rating:

  5.0 stars

• Average User Rating:

  3.5 stars (out of 21 votes) Rate it!

• Downloads:

  18,731

• Requirements:

  Windows 2000/XP, Mozilla Thunderbird 1.5

• Limitations:

  No limitations

• Date Added:

  July 14, 2008

• Previous Versions:

  Select a version Lightning 0.7 Lightning 0.5 Lightning 0.3.1

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Publisher's description of Lightning

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Lightning is an extension for Mozilla Thunderbird that adds an integrated calendar to the e-mail client. It is based on the standalone Mozilla Sunbird calendar application. Lightning includes the Daylight Savings Time (summer time) changes passed by the U.S. legislature in 2005.

Version 0.8 introduces a task mode, a new icon set and reworked menu structure, an event list, a totally overhauled alarm dialog, and several performance fixes.

Editor's review of Lightning

• 5.0 stars

• "Lightning strikes Thunderbird"

Lightning makes Thunderbird soar above Outlook for home use, and places it on nearly equal ground in the office. It includes an overhauled interface with easy-to-use buttons for jumping between email and your calendar, LDAP directory support for event invites, and Sun Java Calendar Server support.

Work on the plug-in is now handled by Mozilla as they prepare to integrate its code into Thunderbird for the big version 3 update coming later this year, but that doesn't mean the plug-in isn't ready for prime-time now. A menu bar for switching between mail and calendar views can live either above or below the folder tree on the left. On the right side of the main pane is a new panel for quickly viewing and managing events and tasks. Option-heavy, it can show only events, only tasks, both, or hide the pane completely, as well as make changes to and create new events and tasks.

Events are searchable at the calendar top. Just below it is a hideable pane showing upcoming events in a spreadsheet format. There are built-in presets for the next seven, 14, and 31 days, and they can be arranged by start date, end date, title, location, and calendar. Lightning supports multiple calendars, including iCal, and has bidirectional support for Google Calendar with the Provider for Google Calendar plug-in.

There is also support for Exchange servers, although for enterprise use fans of Thunderbird/Lightning will likely have to talk to their tech support teams to get the servers configured properly. That, of course, is the biggest drawback compared to Outlook. Old bugs relating to timezone management and invitation responses have been eliminated, though, making this add-on an absolute requirement for all users, both at home and in the office.

User reviews

• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 21 votes
• My rating: 0 stars Write review

• Showing 5 of 13 user reviewsSee all 13 user reviews
  This software version | All versions

• 1 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Lightning 0.8

  "Doesn't install with Firefox 3.0"

  by design_girl on July 15, 2008

  Cons: you apparently need firefox to install xpi files (which this is) and it doesn't install for Firefox 3.0.

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• 1 stars

  1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

  Version: Lightning 0.8

  "And just how do you install this?"

  by zlftcav on July 15, 2008

  Pros: Can't say a whole lot since it won't install

  Cons: There must be some deep dark secret about installing this because Windows and Thunderbird don't recognize it.

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• 4 stars

  Version: Lightning 0.8

  "Works well for tasks, I use it for my daily to do tasks."

  by Thad Taylor on August 17, 2008

  Pros: The task portion works well, its simple easy and right there with my mail.

  Cons: The event portion of the program is weak from the point of not being able to modify category names and colors. I use Sunbird for that. I hope with the scheduled update later in the year it is a really great program. A fully functional Sunbird integrated into Thunderbird would be perfect.

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• 3 stars

  Version: Lightning 0.8

  "The addon is not for Firefox"

  by fulvio7 on August 12, 2008

  Pros: I have no use for it, but several people had problem with this add-on which is for Thunderbird, and not Firefox. I have TB2.0.0.16, and I installed it like any other add-on. The file was downloaded to the Desktop, and I brought up Tools|Add-ons. then dragged and dropped the .xpi in the add-on manager. No problem.

  Not compatible with TB3.0b1, and SM2.0a1.

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• 3 stars

  Version: Lightning 0.8

  "Integrates a calendar into Thunderbird! Wonderful."

  by BainterJr on August 8, 2008

  Pros: Easy to load and easy to use. Multiple calendars is a plus.

  Cons: First several attempts to incorporate a web based calendar did not work well.

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