[KLUG Members] expunge v empty trash

[Adam Williams]

> Do the Evolution actions 'expunge' and 'empty trash' do exactly the same
> thing?  I don't see anything in the Evolution help that says what 'empty
> trash' does.

"Empty trash" only has meaning if you use trash.

There are three ways (and one correct way, IMHO) to handle deleting mail

1.) Deleting a message marks a messages as deleted and expunges it from 
the folder immediately.
2.) Deleting a messages actually moves the message to a designated 
folder, usually called "Trash".  You can set this up in your account 
preferences.
3.) [Correct way] Deleting a message marks it as deleted and leaves it 
in the inbox, still visible to the user but visually distinguished 
somehow (usually lined-out).  Then a separate expunge action removes 
messages marked as deleted.

#1 leaves no way to go back, and creates lots of tiny I/O operations 
(inefficient)
#2 means you have big meaningless Trash folder around,  users never both 
to empty these and when they get really big they call the support number 
asking why they are getting quota warnings.  The kindly support person 
explains what is happening and helps the to purge their trash.  Then 30 
- 90 days later.... rinse & repeat.  And the whole time your backing up 
all this crap.
#3 the user gets a way to go back from deleting a message but the 
presence of deleted messages it makes the folder larger and thus harder 
to manage and navigate.  They are thus inclined to purge messages 
periodically.