by IagoSRL (Developer) on Nov. 7, 2011 · permalink

Hi Eric,

Thanks to try it. Reading you to I think there is a misconception about what Unified Search does and what no.
First at all let me explain what Thunderbird (without Unified Search) does by default.

(Sorry if is too long and if I'm wrong about what you understand but I prefer be clear and explain all to avoid misconception).

Thunderbird have three features to perform messages searching:
- Classic Search Messages window (Ctrl/Cmd+Shift+F) at menu Edit->Find->Search Messages: this is the oldest search feature at Thunderbird, select folder and subfolders, select different aditive criteria, and perform the search with the slow, traditional search mechanism.
- Quick Filter (Ctrl/Cmd+F) just down the 'tabs bar' since Thunderbird 3.1 version: perform a fast search in the same window same tab, doing a filter in the current selected folder using the typed words and some 'pre-built criteria' (the buttons you see like 'only unread messages', 'only messages with attachments', etc.).
- Global Search: in the main toolbar the rightmost box, since Thunderbird 3.1 version: performs a search in all folders in a new tab (until you select some folders in the left options panel, and others criteria); this is faster than the 'classic search' (if you have enabled the option 'global search and indexer'), but use a totally different desing to show the results.

With this Thunderbird defaults, there are three interfaces and twoo widgets to perform messages searching.
With Unified Search, what is intended is Not unified the three interfaces.
What Unified Search does is unified the two widgets, Why? An example:
- You needs search a message that contains some words, you think the message is in your current folder (maybe 'Inbox' or 'Archive') because of this you use the Quick Filter box; you don't find the message you want (maybe there are some messages in your result but not the message you want).
- You decide now search in all folders because don't remember in what folder is: you go to the 'global search box', type again your search words, press 'Enter' and go to the new search tab to find the message you want.

What Unified Search allow you, with the previous example at mind, is be faster changing the type of search you want to perform:
- You needs search a message that contains some words, you think the message is in your current folder, go to the 'Unified Search widget/box', type the words (Not press Enter key!!), your current folder is 'filtered' (using the same Quick Filter mechanism, is a Thunderbird task) but the message you want there is not.
- You press now 'Enter' or 'Ctrl/Cmd+Enter' and the 'global search' (in all folders) is opened in a new tab. You don't need change the widget and retype your search!

Just this is all.

At first, Unified Search include (until version 0.3) some utilities that
- Converts the standard global search box in a filtering box (when you type something, folders content is filtered, when press 'Enter' key a global search -all folders- is opened)
- Adds to the standard quick filter box the ability to perform a global search also pressing the Ctrl/Cmd+Enter key (default behavior is filter folders content when you type something -without press Enter key-).

From version 0.3, the Unified Search Widget is included, that must be added from the Customize window and include full filtering and search interface features: do filtering and open global search from the same widget, with a menu/float-bar that include all the options of the standard Quick Filter Bar (persistent filter, pre-built criteria). If you type something, a filter is do it, and when you press 'Ctrl/Cmd+Enter' a global search is opened (if you don't want a global search, don't press Enter or Ctrl/Cmd+Enter).
Something more that include this widget is a button (the magnifying glass / funnel icon) and shortcut (Ctrl/Cmd+A) that let you change the 'operation mode' of the widget: convert it in a global search box -that will show a popup with search suggestions while you write, hide all the filtering features and don't filter current folder- or a filter box -with all filtering options, and the ability to perform a global search pressing Ctrl/Cmd+Enter, but lose the suggestions popup-. Please, check well this option because can be the problem (maybe are pressing the funnel button to do the search and what does is disabling filtering behavior, or pressing Cmd+A key by error).
This new widget save more vertical space too that the standard Quick Filter Bar, being better for small screens like laptops and netbooks.

Conclusion: Thunderbird filter and search features are not changed with this extension, only the widgets are enhanced to avoid use two different widgets to do very related tasks. With Unified Search, change from search in current folder (filtering) to search in all folders is faster and easier.

Sorry for the long and maybe pedantic text but I prefer be clear to avoid communication errors.

Please, if using the extension just like commented previously this continue failing you do this:
- Just after open Thunderbird, go to the menu Tools->Error console: copy any error message and send it to me (is normal in Thunderbird show some warnings at start); then, press the 'Clear' button.
- Try to use the Unified Search Widget, again go to the Error console and copy any message there is and send it me please.
This messages let me debug the extension.

If what happen is that you expect that Unified Search changes the search interface or something more, I'm sorry. Features request are welcome and maybe you can request it to Thunderbird developers at bugzilla.mozilla.org too.


Thanks for reading,

IagoSRL