Thunderbird - Building summary file?

[Richard England]

Bob Goodwin wrote:
>
> I'm using Thunderbird 1.5.0.2 and FC-5 with current updates.
>
> Periodically when I check mail it displays the message
> "Building Summary File for [Inbox, whatever I select]"
> and I have to wait for it to finish whatever it does. After that I 
> have to select the threaded display of
> messages again! I don't know what this "summary file"
> is but I don't think I want or need it.
>
> Does anyone know what this is about? I have only become
> aware of this recently.
>
> Bob Goodwin Zuni, Virginia
>
>
>
I think you _do_ need/want the summary files.

Thunderbird's mail files are in the standard plain text "mbox" format, 
which almost all mail programs can use or import.
extension (Your mail files are inside your profile, in the Mail and (if 
you use IMAP) ImapMail folders. Each mail folder (Inbox, Sent, etc.) is 
stored as two files – one with no extension (e.g. INBOX), which is the 
mail file itself (in ‘mbox’ format), and one with an .msfe.g. 
INBOX.msf), which is the index (Mail Summary File) to the mail file. 
These summary files are built and updated as needed. If you delete one, 
Thunderbird will rebuild it for you.

I'm no expert, but do you compact your mail "folders". Is it possible 
that you did this while email was being downloaded? Do you have 
processes that delete files for any reason?

I would suggest you do some Googling on this topic. There are a lot of hits.


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