How long should we keep chat logs?

We've got chat logs going back two years now. I'm wondering if we should dump some - say those over 1 year or over 6 months old?

What do you think? Does anybody read 2 year old chat logs?

If we are just talking chat logs, you should dispose of them no sooner than 90 days nor any later than 180 days.
(IMHO)

Bob

I agree with Bob. I think that time frame gives ample opportunity to read the logs if you missed a chat. If there is information you want saved from a chat log, you can always print it out.

-Todd

I would think 90 days is more than enough. If there is insider info in a log it would most likely have been surfaced within the 90 days.

Perhaps you could use the saved space to do some more lighthouse histories.

Dave

I agree with 90 days except for historic chats that are marked by the attendance of BY or another Celebrity; and the documented proof of a real scoop. This may encourage new visitors to the live chats?

I think Bob Scroop makes a good point. Ninety days seems long enough unless it was a special chat.

Joanne

I'd say hang on to all of 'em. The history of the HL collectibles 'movement' is contained within those chats just as within forum messages. I've found myself rooting through them now and again. Perhaps no need to have on-line access to them all, but don't throw 'em out. (I know I wished I'd saved more of the AOL chat logs.) It would also be interesting to be able to search the chat logs.

What is the format of the logs? Text?

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/im

I think that Tim is speaking of a search function that will search across all existing chat logs for a particular word or phrase entered once. That would be really neat.

Currently, one can use the browser's Edit/Find in top window (MSIE) or Edit/Find in Page (Netscape) search function. Of course you'd need to open the chat logs one at a time and search each individually, but it works if you know approximately when the chat you are looking for took place.

On the other hand Tim, if you would occasionally drop by the chat room every now and again, you might not need to sift through the logs. ;-)

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-Art

90 days max

Ninety days is plenty. Who has the time? Even Newbies like me don't read past files. What I have seen, and that includes myself, if you don't know something people will ask. Just my opinion.

>>I think that Tim is speaking of a search function that will search across all existing chat logs for a particular word or phrase entered once. <<

Yep - that would be neat.

Not everyone has an interest in history. And yeah its easier to ask than look for yourself. But once they're gone, they're gone. As one who's been here from the start I like to look back at the way the community has evolved (mutated?). There are lotsa folks who stay for few months or a year and then dissapear. Its fun to read the old logs (and old forum msgs) - they capture our collective heritage. Suppose BY had said 'no Coquille Glow' in a chat log - and it got thrown away. ;->

Hey JC, if they're in text or some format that doesn't require a proprietary reader, send 'em to me before any get thrown away.

>>On the other hand Tim, if you would occasionally drop by the chat room every now and again, you might not need to sift through the logs<<

Yeah - I used to attend every one. Maybe I'll get back into it.

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/im
[This message has been edited by JTimothyA (edited 10-08-2000).]

Maybe I shouldn't talk cuz I've missed more than I've made over the past few months myself (that alone might be incentive enough for you to get back in, Tim! LOL). We miss ya Tim. Please do drop by.

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-Art