The Mozilla Foundation, most widely known for creating Firefox, have started a new subsidiary for the purpose of developing messaging software, such as the open-source Thunderbird.

Mozilla Messaging is a new subsidiary of Mozilla charged with the development and promotion of messaging software. Currently, Thunderbird 2 is a popular alternative email application that is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux. The primary focus as of now is to begin development on Thunderbird 3.

Some of the major improvements in Thunderbird 3 include better search, integrated calendar, and easier configuration. Mozilla Messaging Chief Executive David Ascher says, “We’ve started defining what Thunderbird 3 will be, because we think that there is enough consensus to make some of the first decisions on the most important changes to tackle first. Specifically, Thunderbird 3 will build on the great base that is Thunderbird 2 (and the work already performed in trunk by the current and past contributors), and add some key features.”

Ascher goes on to describe email as “broken”, and says that it could be fun to check your messaging. It seems that the long term solution for the Mozilla team may be some sort of integrated messaging solution including IM. “The walled gardens that we’re faced with today aren’t the right answer either. There is room for innovation and progress here, and we need to facilitate it,” says Ascher.

Related:

Entry was posted on Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 at 8:27 am under Uncategorized.

Read more entries by Ken Mitchell.
Stumble It!