Upgrading Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Netbook Thunderbird from 3.1 to 9.0

As a mail program and due to the freedom in software selection, I
un-installed Evolution and installed Mozilla Thunderbird as my E-mail
and Newsgroup browser. This is for my ASUS 4G Surf with 4GB SSD and
512MB RAM, 800x480 pixel screen. Only problem is the Usenet and E-mail
headers take up to 6 lines, leaving a limited window for viewing text.

Ubuntu 10.04 LTS maintains Thunderbird 3.1.16 in their repository. Only
problem is one of the latest plug-ins are not compatible. Thunderbird 3
will not install it due to incompatibility. This is 'Compact Headers'.

Thus, I wanted the latest stable version of Thunderbird for the plug-in.
Thus after a short Google I came across:

https://launchpad.net/~mozillateam/+archive/thunderbird-stable

Our Wintroll friends seem to have an extremely excruciating time dealing
with the 'command line mode' i.e., apt-get, etc. (Me thinks they never
edited a Windows registry entry to fix a problem, let alone execute the
command 'run'.)

Thus I copied and pasted the ppa line entries into Synaptec GUI under
'repositories', downloaded the key file and imported it. Wala!

Same results as command line. Hit the 'Reload', 'Mark All Upgrades'
button, then 'Apply'. Now I am upgraded to Thunderbird 9.0. The plug-in
is now imported, now I have a usable netbook screen.

Life is good with Linux. My 4G netbook, neatly tucked in a motorcycle
saddlebag is a keeper. I really love it as a travel companion for
Internet access on the road.