Emptying Trash

I wouldn't mind having my trash can remove any thing that has been in my trash can for over a month and it hasn't been touch in that time. But I would like to be able to specify the amount of time. And for the system to cover every one needs, it should probable include the option of turing off auto delete.

I do have some questions:
How would the system work, At what time would the system delete old items? Would it be a process carried out by the server ones a day, when an item is exactly one month old, or when the user logs in?
When the process is triggered will it include an authorization dialog for the user to "confirm or cancel" the process? If there is a dialog box, will it be a special dialog box, so people will not subconchusly, instinctively or automatically dismiss the dialog box? if there is a dialog box, would it include: the number of items, a list of those items, and facts about each item?
What happens when some one dose not log in for a month, and then logs in? Should that be treated as a month or as one day?

ps I also think that part of the reason trash fill up and why people don't delete the contents right away, involve the interface for inventory. It is a good interface and storage system. But some times I find it hard to identify what some thing is from within inventory. And moving files around can be cumbersome. BUt I like many of the inventory features.
pps sorry for the long reply, and is there any chance some day the inventory will be in 3d. ie be able to teleport into inventory view items in 3d, arrange them visually, extra.

I just found out this week that stuff I deleted was going into the trash. I thought it was lost, er, forever.

I feel so stupid.

Maybe this needs greater attention?

I think the OPTION to auto-delete trash might be nice. I think that in ALL instances, the user should be first asked if he wants trash deleted. I can't count know how many times Trash has saved my hide when I have accidentally deleted something or a system glitch has occured (such as lag) and I deleted something other than I intended to delete.

I would very much dislike a "mandatory trash deletion" any shorter than 6 months. Any time a machine forcibly takes a decision away from human intellect, that machine has in my mind gone beyond its intended use. I really hate my automobile's seatbelt alarm (although I use seatbelts religiously).

Wayfinder -

How long have you left an "accidentally deleted" item in your trash, in either SL or on your computer?

I understand your points; but on SL we are talking about a situation that negatively affects everyone - not just the person's own Inventory.

Undeleted items sitting in "Trash" folders for a long time drains server resources & bandwidth (the items must be stored on the servers, taking space - and must be organized & transferred to the cilent's Inventory list every time they log in). Now multiply that by a few thousand users online at the same time; and you see why its already a minor issue; and it might become a major one as the system grows.

I agree that an auto-wipe on a certain day & time would possibly destroy things the moment you put them in the Trash; if you are unlucky enough in your timing. However, I see nothing wrong with attaching a hidden "trashed date" to every item in your Trash folder. Every time you log in (or as a scheduled server process), the system should check the "trash date" for items in your Trash. If they are older than a set time (a week, a month, etc); then the system should purge them forever.

If you're really paranoid, I suppose you could have a "confirmation box" that pops up when this is about to happen - and make it an option to auto-confirm it (so it doesn't ever show)...

But really, people shouldn't be using the "Trash" folder as a normal place to stick things. I think its imminently reasonable to allow them a few days to discover a mistaken "delete" and put the item back; but there's no excuse for letting things pile up in your Trash folder for weeks or months without emptying!

If people were responsible and pro-active, then I would agree that computer systems should never "take the initiative" away from a person.... Sadly, people (as a generalized group) tend to be lazy, reactive, and uninformed. So you can't guarantee that they're going to act in their own (or anyone else's) best interest.

Take care,

--Noel "HB" Wade
(Tread Whiplash)

It is about time LL took the trash out! it is like talking to a child. hehe

Taking out the trash monthly sound like a wonderful idea. If you haven't missed it (object) in the last month its safe to let it go.

Of course, I'm going to have to move everything immediately to a Old Trash folder before this policy goes into effect, since the stuff in there went in without any such policy in effect. But I'll be okay with the new trash deleting stuff automatically, since I'll know what's gonna happen to them ahead of time.

But when it comes to letting newbies know about the policy... I think it's tough enough getting them to know that there is a trash...

I like the idea of a dropdown list with the items below. I'd bet they could get it right on the first try. I would think it should be evaluated following a successful logout, (not a crash) as that implies a reduction in the server load, since I'm not looking at any items anymore. Oops... this is way too much detail.

Delete items in trash:
[older than 3 months old]
[older than 1 month old]
[older than 2 weeks old]
[older than 1 week old]
[in excess of 1024 items]
[in excess of 512 items]
[in excess of 255 items]
[in excess of 128 items]
[when I Logout]

Did I hear an idea about a "Rezzed Items" folder? That would be AWESOME if it could be used to locate lost items. Maybe dragging items from the Rezzed Items folder to another folder could act as a Take... that could significantly reduce In-world litter!

LMAO you know I actually had an employee once that did that they kept all the stuff they werent sure of in the trash can and of course when I would go through once a month and help them with a computer issue of some sort Id do my standard routine of emptying the Trash.

They were definately ill with it as Chris I believe as you do delete should mean exactly that DELETE.

Anyway I digress and Phoenix I think its a great Idea.

Shadow

i will be ok with this when there will be no possible error oc clicking on the delete option (wich happend to me often

I agree that it's a good idea to have the trash empty itself of older objects. However, I think it would be a good idea, as Strife said, if things rezzed from the trash don't automatically go back there when they are taken.

good idea. and i too would be happy to set options to weekly delete and/or x number of items if it would help enough to be worth the trouble of adding the features.

l.

I like the idea. I only remember to erase my trash once every two months or so, after hundreds of things have piled up in it. it would be great if we could have it auto-delete. But every 2 weeks is more on the mark, I think. Or perhaps we should be allowed to specify how often we want it cleared, as long as it is under 1 month.

Anyone want to place a bet on when this might happen? I'll take... 10/18/05.