[Omniscient]

We already prune old PMs. Doing about 1m rows now. It's just part of policy and we actually have more PMs than posts on HF. The expectation is that Convo will replace PMs eventually. But given the nature of Convo I think we should set a standard for pruning as well.

I'd like to ask members what they think is reasonable time to prune/delete messages. Realize when I say prune I do mean delete and that once deleted these messages cannot be recovered. It's also unreasonable to believe we will never prune them. Tables can get huge causing resource problems and eventually slowness of the feature.

Also by pruning it allows for slightly more privacy. Your data has limited shelf-life and thus you might feel more secure and private in that way. I suggest 60 days but I'm getting feedback on this in case members feel that's too short or heck, maybe too long. I think the minimum I would do is 30 days and max 1 year. We have to monitor usage. If we do fully replace the PM system then the table is likely going to explode in size.

Thank you for your feedback.

[MavenGradle]

What are your current rules in regards to data retention for private messages? As in, how long do you currently keep private messages available or is it just something you do every once in a while without any time set to said operation?

I'd be inclined to say that anywhere between 6 to 12 months of data retention when it comes to convo's would seem reasonable. It might be harder on the database, but I'm pretty sure deals are being done using convo's and those usually happen with multiple messages instead of one or two pm's.

[Varane]

I think 6-12 months is perfect, anything shorter wouldn't make sense especially when it comes to the marketplace.

[Xerotic]

IMO they should stay as long as your are willing to keep them. That is one of the benefits of having conversational style messages - you can quickly reference if you've talked to a member in the past the moment you start a convo with them.

[flavoral]

1 year is the best option in my opinion when it comes to marketplace things.

[Omniscient]

Current pruning policies for PM's are in the Help Docs.

Account Profiles and Pruning

[SIM-1729678]

60 days seems fine to me. Honestly, who is going to look back 60+ days for a specific message?

[MavenGradle]

60 days seems fine to me. Honestly, who is going to look back 60+ days for a specific message?

Someone who got scammed and asked to wait a couple more weeks for the goods to be delivered to their doorstep, I'd think. Hopefully not, I mean 60 days is an awfully long time to wait and not open a dispute but people are naïve like that sometimes.

[Orca]

Users should be able to choose on a per conversation basis

[SIM-1729678]

Someone who got scammed and asked to wait a couple more weeks for the goods to be delivered to their doorstep, I'd think. Hopefully not, I mean 60 days is an awfully long time to wait and not open a dispute but people are naïve like that sometimes.

True. Also, without a search function it would be a hell searching in a year worth of messages.

[flavoral]

60 days seems fine to me. Honestly, who is going to look back 60+ days for a specific message?

Marketplace deals. It's important to have track of order process and the back-and-forth you have with the customer in case of any issues to have proof of convo and details discussed with the customer .

I'm not sure if planned or possible, but as it's possible to have multiple convos with same user, maybe an "auto create convo" button on a contract after it get accepted where it starts a convo with the # of the contract as convo name as reference, and you can export the convo after finishing the deal and contract get marked as complete.

[SIM-1729678]

Marketplace deals. It's important to have track of order process and the back-and-forth you have with the customer in case of any issues to have proof of convo and details discussed with the customer .

I'm not sure if planned or possible, but as it's possible to have multiple convos with same user, maybe an "auto create convo"  button on a contract after it get accepted where it starts a convo with the # of the contract as convo name as reference, and you can export the convo after finishing the deal and contract get marked as complete.

If I am right: the PayPal chargeback limit is 180 days right?..
(I can't think of any other problem that is longer than 60 days)

What if the convo limit would be put on 190 days, would that help?
I know that there is always an option that a method costs 3 months to perform, but then it would be stupid if you don't log your chats.

[Sheep]

An option to download your conversations as a file, or to permanently save (perhaps with a fee if need be) should be available

[Lavish Living]

Would we lose our convo # too?

For example, my convo with you is on https://hackforums.net/convo.php?id=6

id=6, that’s some OG shit. I also have id=4 and 5. If pruning doesn’t delete the entire convo/reset the number then idc really. I voted a year just cuz, but that is kinda a long time.

[TheChaosKiller]

6 months to a year would be perfect in my opinion.