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I have a computer (laptop) at work that I have installed Thunderbird on and set all of these rules, created contacts, and updated calendars on. I don't want to have to go through all of that process over again on my desktop at home. Is there a tool/add-on or simple way to accomplish this?

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Just sync the whole profile folder over Dropbox.

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You can set your thunderbird profile up on a (large) memory stick and then just take it with you. You'd probably want backups and some sort of encryption in case it gets lost, though.

The other idea would be a Dropbox folder, if you can install Dropbox on your work laptop. Since you got Thunderbird installed, I assume you're allowed to at least install software. The firewall may be another issue.

The only suggestions and utilities online deal with sneaker-net methods (portable drive profile above) and network drive methods (Dropbox or LAN/WAN).

UPDATE response to dropbox clarification question:

I assume you're familiar with cloud storage systems such as Sugar, Dropbox, and the like. Most of them result in a particular folder or folders being copied from your computer to cloud storage "out there". Installing the host program allows you to keep files on multiple computers synchronized pretty effectively as well as backed up on the cloud.

You would set up Thunderbird to store it's profile data in a folder that Dropbox (or whichever app you choose) backs up and synchronizes.

Then you set up the Dropbox client on your work computer and download that same Thunderbird profile data to that computer.

Technically, using the portable version of Thunderbird, you could put the app itself in the cloud storage so it could be accessible wherever you download it.

All updates and changes would then be synced between any systems you have the the dropbox client and thunderbird app set up and configured properly.

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How does the dropbox situation work? – KronoS Aug 25 '11 at 21:20
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If you're using Dropbox, make VERY SURE that Thunderbird is closed on the other side when you have it open at home (and vice versa). My preferred solution is to let it run normally on my laptop or PC, and just sync that Profiles folder to a thumb drive (fewer writes, longer lifespan). Then on the other side, syncing from the thumb drive to the Profiles folder there. – Randolph West Aug 25 '11 at 21:53
Take Randolphs word for it. I don't actually use an email client (since Gmail become good enough) any longer and only used Thunderbird briefly many years ago. My answer is based on technical feasibility, not on personal experience. – music2myear Aug 25 '11 at 21:55
Well it's a reasonable solution, especially if your Thunderbird profile folder is under 2GB (for free Dropbox usage). – Randolph West Aug 25 '11 at 21:58
If it's more, SugarSync apparently allows more storage for their free accounts, and overall cheaper rates. I used Dropbox only as a common and well-known option. Also, getting people to sign up through an affiliate link, I believe you can get up to 5GB free space total on Dropbox? – music2myear Aug 25 '11 at 22:01

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