Thanks, but that still amounts to "no." If there's no menu item for this basic feature, it's not a function offered by the application.
Expecting the user to search the Web for how to do this and then dig around in data files that are buried in platform-dependent application directories is a hokey and not-production-quality "solution."
If it's just a data file, there's no excuse for neglecting its import and export (AKA simple copying) for 25 or more years. I mean, how did filter functionality even go out the door without this? They expect people to run around and manually re-enter all of their filters on every computer they own? And to do this perpetually?
With all due respect, Thunderbird is a FOSS project, which is largely run on unpaid volunteer efforts. I think it's quite right to denigrate their efforts because they didn't manage to build a particular feature.
I respect all the people who give an incredible amount of time to these projects. I help when I can, and give money to the ones I rely on when I can't contribute any other way.
But I heartily disagree that criticizing the product or the development priorities is "denigrating" their efforts. It is simply criticism, hopefully constructive. People were asking to copy filters between machines 20+ years ago. Filters are essential for any E-mail client; I can't imagine what the intended M.O. is for them in Thunderbird at this point.
If I weren't exclusively on Macs every day I would absolutely implement this myself; as it stands, I can't justify the time. But I can armchair-quarterback the shit out of it!
Expecting the user to search the Web for how to do this and then dig around in data files that are buried in platform-dependent application directories is a hokey and not-production-quality "solution."
If it's just a data file, there's no excuse for neglecting its import and export (AKA simple copying) for 25 or more years. I mean, how did filter functionality even go out the door without this? They expect people to run around and manually re-enter all of their filters on every computer they own? And to do this perpetually?