While I recognize that Timo has some valid points here with regard to determining capabilities before vs. after login, I definitely would consider breaking compatibility with Thunderbird to be a MAJOR, MAJOR showstopper, regardless of the reasons for doing it.
-- Rich Wales / ri...@richw.org / ri...@stanford.edu Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Richwales Facebook: http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=206680