All platforms: Mozilla has released Thunderbird 2 RC1, the latest version of the venerable e-mail client.

Like last year’s less-than-stable beta release, RC1 offers a wealth of new features: Gmail-style message tags, browser-style back/forward buttons for navigating message histories, folder summary pop-ups, find-as-you-type searches, an improved user interface and easy access to Gmail and .Mac accounts. Thunderbird now supports Vista as well.

The installer hung when importing my address book from Outlook Express, but after bypassing that everything went smoothly. Because this is technically a release candidate, a few bugs are sure to crop up. But if you just can’t wait to take the new Thunderbird for a spin, you should find this version stable enough for everyday use.

Mozilla Thunderbird 2 RC1 is free; it’s available for all platforms.

Mozilla Thunderbird 2 [via Tech.blog]