The release of OS X Lion a few months ago included the latest version of Apple’s email client, Mail 5.0. The new Mail is a significant update for the built-in app and a welcome facelift for users frustrated by some of the limitations of previous versions.

Mozilla Thunderbird is a free, cross-platform email and news client developed by the Mozilla Foundation. The project strategy is modeled after Mozilla Firefox, a project aimed at creating a smaller and faster web browser.

While the reception has been generally positive, Mail 5.0 has some design and usability issues that users are having trouble adjusting to. Most of the issues arise from using multiple email accounts – switching between accounts requires an app restart, and there have been reports of emails not being received or sent on certain IMAP accounts. Others have criticized the app for the drab look of icons and columns (although this is certainly subjective). But Mail 5.0 has shortcomings, and some users have had trouble adjusting to the new version, for any number of reasons.

Luckily a number of third party alternatives to Mail 5.0 have stepped in to fill the gaps. Here are a few to try if you’re less than satisfied with the new Mail. One of the most popular third-party email apps, Sparrow is intended for users looking for a simple, no-frills email client. Simplicity is the focus with Sparrow. Emails are organized into Twitter-like conversations that let you reply quickly.

Sparrow also supports Facebook Connect to keep up to date on your News Feed. Image courtesy This app is aimed exclusively at Gmail users. While it lacks support for other email providers, Gmail users may find it useful to have a dedicated window for their inbox, and switching between Gmail accounts is easy. If you’re a Gmail fan, Image via Developed by Mozilla, Thunderbird is a free open-source email client that has the look and feel of Firefox, also created by Mozilla. Tabbed emails and Smart Folders make Thunderbird familiar to Firefox users, as well as the huge selection of add-ons and extensions that allow you to customize Thunderbird pretty extensively.

Thunderbird is free. Image via Postbox is great for users who require powerful tools for managing multiple email accounts in one application.

In addition to a great UI layout and conversation view, Postbox supports Gmail integration and uses Dropbox to host attachments that are then included as links in the body of an email. Social features also include services like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Gravatar. Image courtesy This is just about as simple as an email client can be. Got Mail is a unobtrusive app that adds an email notification and light email browsing to your menubar. These are some of the most popular alternatives to Mail 5.0 in the Mac App Store, each with its pros and cons.

People use email in vastly different ways, from simple personal use to managing clients’ accounts. Some email apps are better suited for light use and others for more intensive functions. There are some drawbacks to using third-party apps in general, too.

With Apple’s built-in applications, upgrades and support are virtually guaranteed. Not so with other apps – future versions may become obsolete with future iterations of OS X. All of the paid apps mentioned above can be downloaded for free and used for a trial period, so you can find the one that is best for you.

Hope you can help. I've had a lot of problems in the past with the generic OS X Mail app. I've been unable to send, or receive, or both. I've tried just about every combination of ports, settings, etc., suggested to me on the Apple Discussions site. But all to no avail. So, I've finally ditched OS X Mail and installed Mozilla's Thunderbird.

Appointment Time: choose a Start and End time for the appointment or choose a Start time and Duration (the end time will change accordingly). Fill in a Subject label for the reminder and, if you wish, Location and Notes. One is to switch to Calendar view then click on the New Appointing button on the Home tab. Then look up on the toolbar and click on the large Recurring button – you’ll see a new dialog box appear to set the repeating options. Outlook for mac 2016 multiple replies open at same times.

Now, using identical settings to those tried in OS X Mail, I can send, receive, and do just about anything I like. Thunderbird will not import my Address Book!!!!!!!! My Address Book is the standard Mac OS X Address Book. I have tried saving v-cards, saving the whole book, etc, but when I try to import to Thunderbird, I just get a bunch of blank v-cards or nothing at all. Step by step guide please. I'm sure this must be both possible and easy. I must just be missing some single vital step.