http proxy with thunderbird?

I dont know much about proxies, but I thought http proxies are for use with like IE and firefox, and socks (4,5) are used with programs such as msn and mailing programs...
how come I have the option to use http proxies in thunderbird to send emails? how does that work?

Proxies aren't really restricted in the way that you're describing. For most functions that a browser can do, HTTP is interchangeable with Socks 4/5 at base. Socks is merely (often, not always) less restricted in outside functions like wrapping around less common applications and protocols.

You perform the same checks and testing with either, it's just a matter of what's best suited to what you're using (some programs are written specifically for one or the other type) and what proxies you have access to. As long as they come up "anonymous" I wouldn't worry about it.

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