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New stars for folders are an intrusion - how to eliminate them?

  • 4 replies
  • 1 has this problem
  • 2 views
  • Last reply by jwpopp

jwpopp
jwpopp
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I use folders and subfolders (and sub-subfolders) for saved Emails as required to keep track of subjects - as a result, there are many of them containing a total of thousands of messages. The new Thunderbird suddenly places a star on every Local Folder containing a subfolder(s), even though there are no contained starred messages. As soon as I expand a subfolder, its folder star disappears, indicating that the star has no purpose and is simply an unnecessary distraction. The stars make message counts confusing - the extra character must be blanked out mentally to comprehend the numerical value for number of contained messages. How can I suppress stars entirely??

I use folders and subfolders (and sub-subfolders) for saved Emails as required to keep track of subjects - as a result, there are many of them containing a total of thousands of messages. The new Thunderbird suddenly places a star on every Local Folder containing a subfolder(s), even though there are no contained starred messages. As soon as I expand a subfolder, its folder star disappears, indicating that the star has no purpose and is simply an unnecessary distraction. The stars make message counts confusing - the extra character must be blanked out mentally to comprehend the numerical value for number of contained messages. How can I suppress stars entirely??

All Replies (4)

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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Please post a screenshot. http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-create-screenshot-my-problem

jwpopp
jwpopp Question owner
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Thanks for your prompt reply. Here's the screenshot, showing the left info column in TBird. Note the collection of asterisks preceding folders having subfolders. When I reveal subfolder(s), the asterisk disappears, and does not move to any subfolder. Just installed TBird 38.5, and this phenomenon popped up. Very disconcerting. The asterisks serve no purpose for me, but impair speed of cognition for the numerical values.

Best regards,

--- John

christ1
christ1
  • Top 25 Contributor
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The star means the number shown is a summation of the folder, plus the contents of all its subfolders. I don't think this can be disabled.

jwpopp
jwpopp Question owner
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(This response is not in any way critical of christ1, who kindly invested the time to review the question, and simply reported the truth.)

Not to be flippant, but having utilized computers daily since the 1960s, I'd postulate this response: "then the providers should fix it." The fact that the values were summaries of total folder content was evident from the day Thunderbird was first issued (without folder asterisks.) Any users confused over the issue need only have checked their folders and subfolders to learn instantly how it works. To have introduced so clumsy a tool as that useless asterisk is an insult to those of us who are serious about using our machines productively.

An alternate viewpoint: Would you expect a file drawer to contain no file folders (logical subdivisions)? If someone presented you with one box containing 1000 wrapped gifts, would you say that you received one gift? Placing an asterisk beside a folder (drawer) containing subfolders (file folders) is a fruitless exercise in overkill. If you want to know what's in it, open it!

This is akin to an automobile mfgr using a head-up display to tell the driver that the right pedal is the accelerator. Nuts to that - it's goofy and a diversion for anyone who already knows that. Take lessons before hindering a zillion other drivers.

Thanks again, and best wishes -

--- John