Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
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Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
I have set all my folders to synchronise and I have selected the option to compact automatically if it would save 20MB. However the local copy of my "Sent" folder (the file Sent-1) grows to an enormous size. My attention was recently drawn to it when it was over 15Gb despite the contents only being 2.9Mb. Is this normal and has anyone else seen this behaviour? I have recently auto-updated to version 5 and it is still happening.
- tanstaafl
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
No, its not normal. However, I don't understand if you are talking about a offline folder (copy of remote sent folder) created by tools -> account settings -> synchronization & storage, a remote sent folder or a sent folder in local folders. Which ones do you have and which ones have a problem? Please provide more context/background.
If you aren't talking about problems with the offline folder, I suggest you create a replacement folder, configure tools -> account settings -> copies & folders to use the replacement folder, and then move the messages to it.
Normally the Sent folder doesn't get corrupted (despite its size) because its rare to delete messages in it. However, once a folder gets badly corrupted compacting doesn't help much and may actually cause a lot of damage by removing extra messages because it gets confused where the message its supposed to physically remove ends.
If you aren't talking about problems with the offline folder, I suggest you create a replacement folder, configure tools -> account settings -> copies & folders to use the replacement folder, and then move the messages to it.
Normally the Sent folder doesn't get corrupted (despite its size) because its rare to delete messages in it. However, once a folder gets badly corrupted compacting doesn't help much and may actually cause a lot of damage by removing extra messages because it gets confused where the message its supposed to physically remove ends.
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
This is the file on my computer holding the local synchronization of a "Sent" folder held definitively on my service provider's mail server. The full path name is "C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Thunderbird\Profiles\zlsnxtyp.default\ImapMail\imap.1and1.co.uk\Sent-1". I have turned off synchronization of that folder and deleted the file, then turned it on again. The new file that is created in its place has consistently grown in the same way.
I have just done as you suggested and changed to a replacement folder called "Sent Items". I then moved all the messages across to the replacement folder (using the "Move To" right mouse menu item). The file representing the local synchronization of the replacement folder is growing in a similar way to the original. It is too early to say whether it will grow to the same extent though. Also the file representing the local synchronization of the original folder has compacted to 0 bytes and has not grown since.
UPDATE: I have now changed to a third folder and left all the mail in the second. It is the file representing the second folder that is continuing to grow. Is it conceivable that a particular message in the folder is causing this behaviour?
I have just done as you suggested and changed to a replacement folder called "Sent Items". I then moved all the messages across to the replacement folder (using the "Move To" right mouse menu item). The file representing the local synchronization of the replacement folder is growing in a similar way to the original. It is too early to say whether it will grow to the same extent though. Also the file representing the local synchronization of the original folder has compacted to 0 bytes and has not grown since.
UPDATE: I have now changed to a third folder and left all the mail in the second. It is the file representing the second folder that is continuing to grow. Is it conceivable that a particular message in the folder is causing this behaviour?
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
I have narrowed it down to a single message with an attachment. The size of the message is 554K. It is now in a folder of its own which is growing by increments of 554K at apparently random times.
- tanstaafl
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
Please file a bug report at https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/, and attach the message as a test case. If you do that please post the bug report number or a link to it. I'd like to track the status of that bug.
While you have to register using a email address to file a bug report, there hasn't been a problem with spammers capturing the email addresses. I suspect this is due to the bug reports not being displayed as web pages unless you search for a bug report using bugzilla, so the spiders never see them. The test case is not visible unless you view the bug report, and click on the link. I've attached email messages as test cases before and that has not caused a problem.
While you have to register using a email address to file a bug report, there hasn't been a problem with spammers capturing the email addresses. I suspect this is due to the bug reports not being displayed as web pages unless you search for a bug report using bugzilla, so the spiders never see them. The test case is not visible unless you view the bug report, and click on the link. I've attached email messages as test cases before and that has not caused a problem.
- Lee_Dailey
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
howdy tanstaafl,
unfortunately, spammers DO go a-harvesting at bugzilla for user account email addresses. [*sigh ...*] i'm getting spam - not huge amounts, but some - aimed at the address i use ONLY for that site. perhaps they don't do it anymore? my account has been used there for a while now.
i agree that the example msg otta be safe. [*grin*] i can't imagine spammers taking the time to snoop there when the entire place is filled with email addresses right out in the open if they make an account first.
i strongly recommend using a special address when posting there. perhaps one of the alternate addresses that many email providers supply. at&t allows 10 [i think] for free. then you can filter for email to that address that aint from bugzilla.
take care,
lee
unfortunately, spammers DO go a-harvesting at bugzilla for user account email addresses. [*sigh ...*] i'm getting spam - not huge amounts, but some - aimed at the address i use ONLY for that site. perhaps they don't do it anymore? my account has been used there for a while now.
i agree that the example msg otta be safe. [*grin*] i can't imagine spammers taking the time to snoop there when the entire place is filled with email addresses right out in the open if they make an account first.
i strongly recommend using a special address when posting there. perhaps one of the alternate addresses that many email providers supply. at&t allows 10 [i think] for free. then you can filter for email to that address that aint from bugzilla.
take care,
lee
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Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
Just saw this message 10 seconds after posting the bug (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=670871) registered under my main email address. Oh well, time will tell.
- Lee_Dailey
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- Joined: July 27th, 2004, 4:33 pm
- Location: milky way galaxy, sol system, terra, north america, usa, tx, bedford
Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
DuncanP wrote:Just saw this message 10 seconds after posting the bug (https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=670871) registered under my main email address. Oh well, time will tell.
howdy DuncanP,
well, they HAVE changed things over at bugzilla since i signed up. [*grin*] i am a tad over-cautious, perhaps. i hope so for your sake!
take care,
lee
- tanstaafl
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- Joined: July 30th, 2003, 5:06 pm
Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
Lee_Dailey wrote:howdy tanstaafl,
unfortunately, spammers DO go a-harvesting at bugzilla for user account email addresses. [*sigh ...*] i'm getting spam - not huge amounts, but some - aimed at the address i use ONLY for that site. perhaps they don't do it anymore? my account has been used there for a while now.
I've gotten spam for email addresses that I never used or gave out. My experience is that its frequently tough to figure out why somebody got spam. I've also a few times gone six months without getting ANY spam for any email address.
Some email providers (such as gmail, fastmail, runbox, yahoo mail plus etc. ) support plus addressing which let you create a new email address on the fly based on adding a word to your existing one. For example, if your email address was john@example.com you could use bugzilla+john@example.com. That makes it easy to create a message filter to get rid of any messages sent to that email address. Its basically a disposable address that you can use until it becomes a problem.
There are also disposable email address services such as spamex, spamqourmet, E4ward.com, GishPuppy and Mailinator. I recommend against using a temporary disposable email address such as one from guerrillamail.com though as it prevents anybody who has a legitimate reason to contact you from doing so.
Edit: Oops, I replied before I noticed Duncan's comment about having already submitted the bug report.
- Lee_Dailey
- Posts: 14194
- Joined: July 27th, 2004, 4:33 pm
- Location: milky way galaxy, sol system, terra, north america, usa, tx, bedford
Re: Sent folder not compacting but growing to 15Gb
howdy tanstaafl,
yep! my bugzilla-only address being used for spam may have occurred thru some other method. i kinda-sorta doubt it, tho. [*grin*] still, the alternate email address info is useful! thanks for posting it.
take care,
lee
yep! my bugzilla-only address being used for spam may have occurred thru some other method. i kinda-sorta doubt it, tho. [*grin*] still, the alternate email address info is useful! thanks for posting it.
take care,
lee