I've recently learned that a few of you have PM inboxes that are completely full or very close. I also learned that some of you didn't know we have an archive feature. The archive feature allows you to email your PMs to yourself and then delete them from your inbox here at the forum.

Here's how to use it:

Go to "My Controls" by clicking on the link of same name (center right on any page) or by clicking on your name anywhere you see it. Once in your Control Panel, you will see a sidebar on the left. Look for the link that says "Archive Messages" or you could click here.

You'll see a number of drop down options. Here is one of the most common:

Archive from which folder? All folders
Archive messages received in the last 30 days and newer
Number of messages to archive 50
Delete messages after archiving? Yes
Compile datafile as HTML page

Technical Guru Mike doesn't recommend the Excel datafile, even if you have Excel. He says he did it once, and it cutoff the messages after a few hundred characters.

Once you submit it, by clicking the "Process" button, you will receive an HTML file attached to an email from the forum. Just save the HTML file to your computer, and you're all set.

The need to go back and find an archived PM may arise (which is the whole point of archiving them, I suppose ). You will find the task is rather daunting. In order to ease these searches, a little preventative maintenance goes a long way. I have created folders in my forum inbox for various members and matters. I did this by clicking the "Edit Storage Folders" link in my Control Panel. Every so often I organize the PMs in my Inbox into the appropriate folder. After they are organized, I then archive them. That way, if/when I need to go back and search my archived PMs they are grouped together not only by date but by subject matter also.

I hope this helps and saves you from deleting any precious PMs. If any of you have any questions please post them here.