Sky History, Manage Skype Chat History And Call Logs

The Skype software lacks options that allow users to better manage the program’s chat history and call logs. As far as chats go, there is no option to delete specific messages from within Skype. While there is an option to clear the Skype chat history manually, it requires at least a basic understanding of using a computer and editing files. Plus, it may take a long time as Skype is not saving chat logs by contact but by length.

Sky History, a Skype plugin, adds better chat history and call log management to the voice over IP software. Installation of the plugin should not be problematic, just remember to accept the integration in the Skype software after installation. If you do not, the software cannot access the data.

The application sits in the system tray on start up. A click opens its interface where you can select data based on users or time. Search and filtering options are provided as well to quickly find specific conversations or logs.

Both make it easier to find specific chat partners, messages or events. The user listing is divided into data specific chats as well as a listing of all Skype contacts. The calendar listing on the other hand can be used to display all conversations on a specific date and time.

A right-click on a message displays a context menu with options to delete that message from the Skype chat history or to bookmark it. All selected messages can be deleted or bookmarked. The deleting is obviously more comfortable than deleting Skype messages manually. Bookmarks are handy to quickly jump to important messages.

Another interesting option is the ability to display the chat history of multiple contacts at once. The plugin’s options can be used to change color schemes, for instance to highlight contact names or chat headers. There is also an option to block the export of a contact’s chat history.

Sky History is a useful plugin for Skype users who want more control over the program’s chat history. Especially the abilities to delete select Skype messages and to search all messages for specific text come in handy.

Skype users can download Sky History from the official website. The program is compatible with all recent versions of Skype and the Microsoft Windows operating system. (via)

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© Martin Brinkmann for gHacks Technology News | Latest Tech News, Software And Tutorials, 2011. | Permalink |
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How To Enable, Disable Google Chat History

If you have a Google account you can chat with your contacts, for instance over at the Gmail homepage. This web based chat works pretty much like a standard instant messenger chat. You get options to send files, use emoticons or call the user. And like instant messenger chats, Google chats get recorded automatically by default. What this means is that you, your chat partner and anyone else with access can load and look at past chat sessions.

While that may not be a problem if you are the only account user, it can be one if the email account is shared. This can be the case if it is a company or family account. Plus you need to be aware that even if you are the only account user, this may not be the case for your chat partner’s account.

Google users have two options to modify the chat history settings. The first option is to completely disable Google Chat history. This basically means that chats will not be recorded, so that they cannot be searched or accessed after the session closes.

Gmail users find the option to never save chat history here. You can also open your Gmail homepage manually, click on the Settings icon on the right of your profile photo, select Mail Settings from the context menu and switch there to the Chat tab.

Locate My Chat History there. To disable chat history select Never save chat history, to enable it again select Save chat history instead.

• Save chat history. – Your chats will be saved under “Chats” in your Google Mail account, and you can search for them later. You can always go “off the record.”
• Never save chat history. – Your chats will never be saved or searchable in your Google Mail account.

Sometimes though you may only want to block the chat history of a particular contact, or to delete previous chat recordings.

To find all chat sessions that Google has recorded enter in:chat into the Search Mail field on Google Mail. This displays a list of all chat sessions with options to delete them.

The second option that you have is to go off the record during chats. Click on the down arrow icon on the right side of the chat header and select Go off the record from the context menu. You will get a message stating that you are now off the record. Chats with the particular users are no longer saved in your Gmail account or the the chat partner’s account (but may be if either one uses a desktop or third party app).

And that’s all there is to is. This guide explained how to enable or disable the Google chat history completely or on a per-contact level. (via)

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© Martin Brinkmann for gHacks Technology News | Latest Tech News, Software And Tutorials, 2011. | Permalink |
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Post tags: chat history, gmail, google chat, google talk chat