📝 Thunderbird made my father's day
On the 28th, somewhere after lunch, my father asked me to take a look at his computer because he couldn't find the bird program icon, as he calls Thunderbird. Keep in mind that he's over 60 years old, and he neither speaks English nor is computer-savvy.
I remembered the default installation profile for the Linux distro I set up on his desktop had it, so the program was there; he was just missing the shortcut on KDE's Plasma taskbar. I added the icon to the taskbar, then took the chance to explain to him how he can create and use email templates in Thunderbird for stuff he does regularly, like asking for prescriptions. To be honest, I think the only part he memorized was how to use the one I created for him. 😅
Before going back to my room to rest from a massive headache, I took care of some more stuff, like setting up filtering rules on the server side because he receives a lot of spam that passes Gmail's filters. I suspect this is because he's been using email for a while to contact suppliers to find parts for appliances, machinery, etc, he fixes at home, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of those companies didn't even consider customer information security. We're talking small companies that likely still have a Windows XP or Windows 7 computer connected to the internet somewhere in the office...
As I was setting up the filters, it occurred to me he's been using Thunderbird for 99.999% as long as he has been doing email, i.e., for over a decade, probably a decade and a half. There were times I installed other email clients for him to try; I wanted him to see if he liked any of them, so I could set up one in case any issues arose in Thunderbird. As far as I remember, I at least installed Kmail, Claws Mail, and Geary. He even tried webmail!
I don't mean to diss any of these email clients, but that man only likes Thunderbird! On his desktop, no matter the operating system we put in it, two applications must always be installed: 1) Thunderbird, 2) Firefox. In that order! I'm not overselling it. His computer must always have these two, no exceptions, particularly with Thunderbird! He may try to deal with another web browser, although he loves Firefox because I always set up uBlock Origin, and he rarely sees an ad, even on YouTube. But for email, it's either Thunderbird or Thunderbird. 😁
When I got back to my bedroom, I decided to share this on the Fediverse because I found it funny and sweet. I also tagged the Thunderbird's account because I know, from my time working in customer support and managing the community side of Fosshost's, that it's good to receive, for a change, more than just complaints and entitlement as... let's call it feedback...
Then, I waited for the headache to alleviate.
In the meantime, Thunderbird replied with a kind message. Moments later, someone from the team[1] reached out and asked for my father's address so they could send him a few stickers.
I stayed in bed until I had to get up and prepare dinner. By the time I got up, because my head was still hurting, I forgot to check my phone and missed the messages. Close to finishing the cooking, I grabbed it to text the wife and noticed I had notifications on Mastodon. That's when I saw the messages.
Minutes later, my father arrived home from a late afternoon bakery run. I told him about this and translated the messages to him. He was so flabbergasted and even a little blushed! 😊
He asked me to accept the offer and to send his appreciation for the offer and for creating his favourite computer program.
But the smile this left on his face...! Unaware, Thunderbird and the person who reached out to me made my father's day! He'd been feeling sick and down for a few days, but when I told me about this, he smiled and his face lit up. It was freaking awesome!
Thank you so much to Thunderbird and to the person who reached out! ❤️
[1]: I haven't asked for permission to share the name. If you happen to read this and don't mind me sharing your name, ping me, and I'll update the post.