Changes

Additional value should come from bringing IM features closer to Thunderbird, for example:====Presence information====* Seeing that the sender of an email is available to chat may lead the user to online can help decide an IM conversation is will be better to get some clarification about some points of the than an email he was readingreply.** Then the IM conversation could be somehow "attached" to the email. The conversation could annotate the email, so that searching the archives for the email also brings up the IM comments.====Unifying data storage====* When a user is about to start an IM conversation with a All contact, showing the list of exchanged emails with this person could avoid wasting time for both people (maybe the desired information is right there handled in the bulk of unread emails? Maybe the latest email explains why the person wouldn't be able to give a useful answer anyway? ...)single place* When trying to get back to some piece of information obtained All archives searchable in the past from someone, searching in both email and IM archives a single place: this removes for the user the burden of remembering which communication medium was used.* Forwarding (parts of) an ====Leveraging links between IM conversation should be easier if the IM conversation is reachable directly from Thunderbird.conversations and emails====* If Keeping links between emails are shown in a conversation view, integrating in that view and the related IM conversations that happened on the same subject could give a better overview can simplify further processing of the exchanges.:** when rereading the whole discussion** when forwarding it* (assuming calendar integration) While setting up an event, seeing that some Accessing the list of the invitees are online and starting an IM conversation with them could help discuss and find recently exchanged emails when a possible date/chat begins can save time faster.:* (assuming calendar integration) Changing * if the IM status automatically user was about to ask a question that'Do not disturb' during meetings that are indicated by the calendar.s already answered in an unread email* Collaborative editing: asking someone who's available * if the contact starting the chat is following up to proof read an a recent email draft,  (See also the "How can this bring additional value for users?" question on [[Talk:Features/Thunderbird/Instant_messaging_in_Thunderbird|the discussion page]] for some related discussion and discussing the proposed changes in an IM conversationa few possible future use cases).