[SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

ComputerBob · 2025-08-24 21:24:18

I've spent the past few months, on and off, trying to figure out how to change my up-to-date Daedelus computer from Thunderbird esr version (currently 128.14.0esr (64-bit) to the current (142?) Release Channel version.

I keep finding all of the same circular reasoning, with pages of prerequisites, technical requirements, and confusing (to my 2-stroked brain), and exhausting-to-even-consider steps, that could EASILY brick my entire email setup and thousands of stored messages!

Since when has it been SO DIFFICULT to make that Thunderbird "channel" change??

In everything I find, Mozilla keeps enthusiastically "threatening" my that I need to do it anyway!

Scroll down this search page,

(https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%22devuan%22+ … 3-1&ia=web)and it even says that Devuan HAS a Release version 142 package! But I don't see anyone discussing it, and I can't find it online anywhere?

Yes, years ago, I taught computer courses for years, at several colleges in several states.

Then, I had 2 strokes, in my 50s and early 60s.

So now, my brain is like a ping-pong ball-sized ball of swiss cheese, floating around inside my skull.

Is it really as DIFFICULT as it feels to me?

Where is the DEVUAN Thunderbird 142 package, and why is no one apparently even talking about this subject?

Altoid · 2025-08-24 22:43:55

Hello:

ComputerBob wrote:

Where is the DEVUAN Thunderbird 142 package ...

As you surely know, Devuan packages come (basically) from the Debian repositories, unless they are in need of systemd sanitation, task performed by our (few and tireless) Devuan maintainers.

If for [reasons] that is not possible, the package in question is banned from the Devuan repositories, keeping things on the up&up , so to speak.
ie: our distribution in a healthy state. 8^°

This means that for a package to appear in the Devuan repositories, it first has to appear in the Debian repositories.

The latest Thunderbird package available in the Debian repositories (stable/Trixie) is 1:128.14.0esr-1~deb13u1.
See https://packages.debian.org/search?mode … hunderbird

As Devuan Excalibur is still in its development phase, the latest Thunderbird package available in the Devuan repositories (stable/Daedalus) is 1:128.14.0esr-1~deb12u1.
See https://pkginfo.devuan.org/cgi-bin/poli … d&x=submit

When Excalibur gets released as stable, the latest Thunderbird package available will be the same one as the one in the Debian repositories.

ComputerBob wrote:

Scroll down this search page ...

I'm afraid you missed an important bit:

duckduckgo.com wrote:

Auto-generated based on listed sources. May contain inaccuracies.

TL;DR
If you don't see a package in the Debian repository, you will not see it in the Devuan repository.
If you see it in the Debian repository and not in the Devuan repository, it is because it has been banned due to unfixable systemd dependencies.

And that is most probably the reason why no one is talking about this subject.

Best,

A.

Last edited by Altoid (2025-08-24 22:47:41)

HardSun · 2025-08-24 23:42:23

I think i would just stick with the debian/devuan thunderbird esr version computer bob, it sounds as if mozilla are trying to push new shiny things onto you. They do this with firefox too. Ive had messages that im not running a secure browser or some such info and should use their releases. No thanks, ill stick with the debian/devuan releases.

RedGreen925 · 2025-08-24 23:42:42

I've spent the past few months, on and off, trying to figure out how to change my up-to-date Daedelus computer from Thunderbird esr version (currently 128.14.0esr (64-bit) to the current (142?) Release Channel version.

You can get the stand alone .tar.xz version at the link below in whatever language you desire. It is fully self-contained and should just run on your system I would think.

https://download-installer.cdn.mozilla. … ux-x86_64/

Backup before trying it once you have downloaded and extracted the compressed file. Do at least the .thunderbird directory in your home making sure to have shutdown the current version if it is running to avoid a locked error from running instance when starting the new. Personally I am so paranoid of my machines I would do full backup and test on the backup instance. I have used this method for years and years with both this and firefox though for the email I switched to the betterbird for it, they just work.

stargate-sg1-cheyenne-mtn · 2025-08-25 07:48:05

our email journey/saga starts at aol and ends at claws-mail
(aol/earthlink/thunderbird/evolution/claws-mail)

forty years of irreplaceable correspondence...sigh...

...walks off muttering something something put those something backups...cough...

Altoid · 2025-08-25 12:43:42

Hello:

stargate-sg1-cheyenne wrote:

... email journey/saga starts at aol and ends at claws-mail

Yes, it can be trying.

Fortunately I found my email client (in another life running W3.10 and the rest of them) after trying out a couple which did not make an impression on me.
I cannot recall the exact names but I'm sure one was called Eudora.

Never keen on any sort of webmail or IMAP, Pegasus Mail ended up being my email client for the last 26 years or so.
While not FOSS, it has always been free and community support has always been great.
Never let me down.

Being able to run it under Linux via WINE was the deal breaker in my definitive move to Linux back in late 2013 (?)

Best,

A.

Last edited by Altoid (2025-08-25 12:44:11)

stargate-sg1-cheyenne-mtn · 2025-08-25 13:31:59

a few links for those curious regarding eudora:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudora_(email_client)

https://www.vice.com/en/article/eudora-email/

and pegasus:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pegasus_Mail

ComputerBob · 2025-08-25 19:54:19

WOW! I'm very happy and GRATEFUL for ALL OF EVERYONE'S RESPONSES.

I downloaded the tar a few months ago, but I was unable to extract that type of compressed file -- and if I HAD been able to, I would've been terrified to try to follow Mozilla's cryptic, confusing (to me) instructions and hope that I didn't mess it all up.

I'm in no hurry to switch. I'm perfectly happy waiting for the Debian/Devuan process to eventually provide the correct package. But I didn't understand why it felt like Mozilla was pressuring me into switching it MANUALLY myself, to try to avoid being "stuck" in esr version permanently, and I incorrectly thought that everyone else must have either chosen to follow Mozilla's manual upgrade instructions, OR everyone else knew how to get the upgraded package that (for some reason), I had been unable to find!

Now I understand! Thanks, everyone! You guys (or girls) are THE GREATEST!

Last edited by ComputerBob (2025-08-25 19:56:27)

ComputerBob · 2025-08-25 20:09:46

Just in case anyone wonders why I seem a little "slow," I was a college professor, teaching several computer applications courses to 200 students every semester, plus instructors, administrators and other educators, at regional, state and national conferences, for several years.

Then, I had two strokes -- the first one in my early 50s.

Now, I can ask questions, sometimes slowly figure things out, and occasionally even remember what I had for lunch.

Now you know why I'm so grateful that people here are so patient, helpful, and friendly to me!

Last edited by ComputerBob (2025-08-25 20:33:09)

Altoid · 2025-08-25 21:29:36

Hello:

ComputerBob wrote:

... why I seem a little "slow" ...

I cannot imagine why you would seem slow.
Your questions were clear enough for everyone to know what you were asking about.

ComputerBob wrote:

... remember what I had for lunch.

Most times I can't, even if I cook it myself. 8^°
No big deal.

ComputerBob wrote:

... grateful that people here ...

All part of the Devuan team.

ComputerBob wrote:

... why it felt like Mozilla was pressuring me ...

Probably because that is exactly what they were doing.

Glad you were able to get things sorted.

Best,

A.

Last edited by Altoid (2025-08-25 21:31:05)

ComputerBob · 2025-08-25 21:45:31

Thank you, again, for your knowledgeable, thoughtful, kindness!

stargate-sg1-cheyenne-mtn · 2025-08-26 08:15:44

Anytime Bob!

The officially official Devuan Forum!

#1 2025-08-24 21:24:18

[SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#2 2025-08-24 22:43:55

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#3 2025-08-24 23:42:23

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#4 2025-08-24 23:42:42

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#5 2025-08-25 07:48:05

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#6 2025-08-25 12:43:42

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#7 2025-08-25 13:31:59

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#8 2025-08-25 19:54:19

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#9 2025-08-25 20:09:46

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#10 2025-08-25 21:29:36

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#11 2025-08-25 21:45:31

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

#12 2025-08-26 08:15:44

Re: [SOLVED] Devuan Thunderbird Release Channel v142?

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