How to create room for PMs without really trying

markem · 02-16-2011, 04:02 PM

Many people want to save all their PMs (private messages) because they may be of use some time further down the road. CA has a maximum on the number that you may have associated with your account. This leads to a bit of tension when the number you want to save exceeds your allotment.

There is a very painless method of dealing with this tension that I will outline here. Before that, it is important to notice that everyone has at least two folders, and inbox and an outbox. It is the total of all folders that is counted against this maximum number of PMs.

So, here is a simple approach that can work wonders for both your sanity (you get to keep all your PMs) and the ability of others to PM you (over quota means no new PMs

). I will explain this using my account as an example.

I go to my private messages screen and ignore all the information about folders, for now. Next, I scroll to the bottom of the page and find the section on the lower right marked, "Download all Private Messages as:". There are several options. I always choose "text" as that is easiest for me. It may be more convenient for you to use one of the other options and I encourage you to play with these until you find the one that works for you (note that just because you download all the PMs doesn't mean that they have been deleted). The system will now ask you if you want to download all the messages and name the file something like privatemessages-markem-02-16-2011 (at least for me on my MS Vista system using the Firefox browser). On MS machines, these typically go in your "Downloads" folder (or whatever you have configured in to your browser). Once downloaded, I move them to a folder where I store all my PM archives. It is pretty simple now to use the MS search function to find which folder may contain any PM that I wish to look for.

Now comes the really important part

Go back to the top of the page and go through each folder and delete what you don't absolutely need on CA anymore. You can always search the downloaded PM file that you created, so almost none of these messages are needed on CA now. For large folders, it may seem that deleting messages can be a real pain, especially if only know how to delete them one screen at a time. But wait, there is an easier way! Go to the folder you want to delete and then notice that there is a teeny tiny link just above the folders drop down menu that lets you remove all the files in the currently selected folder!

Voila! You are now able to delete all the messages in any folder you have at a touch of a button (quite literally if your mouse/touchpad/pen uses buttons). You can get to all your PMs (conveniently archived by date) on your local system (where only you have access to them) and so you never have to delete a PM again.

This is a win-win situation for the user who wants to save everything and the sanity of the TOE who get to administer the system and listen to complaints of not enough PM storage.

This message has been brought to you by the letter Q.

chand · 02-16-2011, 04:04 PM

Good to know!

replicant_argent · 02-16-2011, 04:09 PM

generally, all I get are insults and disparging comments on PMs, I think it may be a good idea to let it fill up, my demeanor would improve, and I wouldn't cry myself to sleep as often.

Oh, and Thanks, Mr. Banned Guy.

md4958 · 02-16-2011, 06:24 PM

I still dont understand why they banned you, youre so smart, and handsome!

:

markem · 02-16-2011, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by md4958

I still dont understand why they banned you, youre so smart, and handsome!

:

jealousy

md4958 · 02-16-2011, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

jealousy

bastards

TBone · 02-16-2011, 06:58 PM

Damn your message is a keeper...hmmm wonder if I have space to save it....just playin

CigarNut · 02-16-2011, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the tip Mark!

icehog3 · 02-16-2011, 10:46 PM

Waiting for your thread on how to free up some space in my jorts, Mark.

Chingas · 02-17-2011, 04:03 AM

Thanks Mark.

Stephen · 02-17-2011, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Waiting for your thread on how to free up some space in my jorts, Mark.

That's an easy one. Vacuum your merkin.

markem · 02-17-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

Waiting for your thread on how to free up some space in my jorts, Mark.

go a size down on the neuticles, Tom.

02-16-2011, 04:02 PM	#1
markem Bunion Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Mark Location: Second Star on the Right Posts: 22,532 Trading: (47)	How to create room for PMs without really trying Many people want to save all their PMs (private messages) because they may be of use some time further down the road. CA has a maximum on the number that you may have associated with your account. This leads to a bit of tension when the number you want to save exceeds your allotment. There is a very painless method of dealing with this tension that I will outline here. Before that, it is important to notice that everyone has at least two folders, and inbox and an outbox. It is the total of all folders that is counted against this maximum number of PMs. So, here is a simple approach that can work wonders for both your sanity (you get to keep all your PMs) and the ability of others to PM you (over quota means no new PMs ). I will explain this using my account as an example. I go to my private messages screen and ignore all the information about folders, for now. Next, I scroll to the bottom of the page and find the section on the lower right marked, "Download all Private Messages as:". There are several options. I always choose "text" as that is easiest for me. It may be more convenient for you to use one of the other options and I encourage you to play with these until you find the one that works for you (note that just because you download all the PMs doesn't mean that they have been deleted). The system will now ask you if you want to download all the messages and name the file something like privatemessages-markem-02-16-2011 (at least for me on my MS Vista system using the Firefox browser). On MS machines, these typically go in your "Downloads" folder (or whatever you have configured in to your browser). Once downloaded, I move them to a folder where I store all my PM archives. It is pretty simple now to use the MS search function to find which folder may contain any PM that I wish to look for. Now comes the really important part Go back to the top of the page and go through each folder and delete what you don't absolutely need on CA anymore. You can always search the downloaded PM file that you created, so almost none of these messages are needed on CA now. For large folders, it may seem that deleting messages can be a real pain, especially if only know how to delete them one screen at a time. But wait, there is an easier way! Go to the folder you want to delete and then notice that there is a teeny tiny link just above the folders drop down menu that lets you remove all the files in the currently selected folder! Voila! You are now able to delete all the messages in any folder you have at a touch of a button (quite literally if your mouse/touchpad/pen uses buttons). You can get to all your PMs (conveniently archived by date) on your local system (where only you have access to them) and so you never have to delete a PM again. This is a win-win situation for the user who wants to save everything and the sanity of the TOE who get to administer the system and listen to complaints of not enough PM storage. This message has been brought to you by the letter Q. __________________ I refuse to belong to any organization that would have me as a member. ~ Groucho Marx

02-16-2011, 04:04 PM	#2
chand Adjusting to the Life Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Damian Location: Dover, DE Posts: 470 Trading: (22)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying Good to know!

02-16-2011, 04:09 PM	#3
replicant_argent Gravy Boat Winnah. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: my attorney has advised against giving this information to insane people Posts: 5,326 Trading: (22)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying generally, all I get are insults and disparging comments on PMs, I think it may be a good idea to let it fill up, my demeanor would improve, and I wouldn't cry myself to sleep as often. Oh, and Thanks, Mr. Banned Guy. __________________ www.stogietorch.com Some days call for a stiff Pomade.

02-16-2011, 06:24 PM	#4
md4958 Captain Cannoli Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moe Location: Suffield, CT Posts: 5,712 Trading: (62)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying I still dont understand why they banned you, youre so smart, and handsome! : __________________ "One fart can foul the air for everyone" - Esteemed philosopher "If avoiding the nasty $hit is being a snob, them I am guilty as charged."- Same esteemed philosopher.

02-16-2011, 06:58 PM	#7
TBone Equal opportunity Bomber Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Paul Location: Virginia Posts: 2,508 Trading: (25)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying Damn your message is a keeper...hmmm wonder if I have space to save it....just playin

02-16-2011, 09:28 PM	#8
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,038 Trading: (111*)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying Thanks for the tip Mark! __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

02-16-2011, 10:46 PM	#9
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 70,564 Trading: (60)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying Waiting for your thread on how to free up some space in my jorts, Mark. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

02-17-2011, 04:03 AM	#10
Chingas Death Is Waiting Join Date: Jun 2010 First Name: Chingas Location: Slayerville, Jersey Posts: 5,295 Trading: (35)	Re: How to create room for PMs without really trying Thanks Mark. __________________ ---Chingas--- ---Team Death Bomb Squad: Captain---