new thread
All,
Here are my criteria for purging old messages. As much as possible, I would like to keep entire threads when there is still some activity in a portion of it. This way, you can refer to older messages in the thread if needed. However, to keep the board a reasonable size, I have to make periodic purges. I try to purge messages every time the main board exceeds 64K. What I do is to pick a date and delete all messages in all threads in which the MOST RECENT message is earlier than the threshold date. I will keep doing this, backup up the threshold date until I get below 64K.
I think this is a good way to maintain the board because it allows you, the posters, some control of what you want to see. If you want messages to disappear from the board, don't respond to them. OTOH, if you want them to stay, post a reply to one of the messages on the thread when you notice the board size approaching 64K.
Don't just do this willy nilly, though. Remember, I will keep backup up the date as far as necessary to get within the 64K. I will also be keeping the archive on the ftp site up to date. I did not update it after today's purge, but I will shortly.
I will also keep certain threads longer even if the oldest message is gone. For example, the opening Welcome message stayed on the board for a couple months.