Yahoo Groups Shutting Down - Dec 14, 2019 (UPDATED)

[morgandawn]

(Updated Oct 25, 2019)

Starting Oct 28, 2019 no new files (photos, documents, etc) will be allowed to be uploaded. Starting Dec 14, 2019, Yahoo Groups will be limited to emails only - functions like digest will be eliminated and all files and photos will be deleted. Admins will have limited tools and all groups will be invite only. And archives of existing messages will not longer be accessible.

What To Do?

I have a step by step guide here. The short version

1. Admins - back up your Groups and decide whether and where to move
2. Members - back up your Groups - don't leave this to the admins.
3. Everyone - consider documenting Yahoo Groups on Fanlore, help spread the word

The OTW has made an announcement. Their Open Doors preservation program is open to  providing storage of Yahoo Groups backups that are assembled by moderators and non-moderators alike. Details here.

Fans are gathering on a Discord Channel to chat and ask for and give help:  https://discord.gg/ek2xFyJ (updated invite)

Please follow the Yahoo Group Rescue Tumblr for updates

 

Comments

[amedia]

Depending on what happens to the old messages, this might render inaccessible the whole Sock Puppet War that took place over the course of years on one of the Rat Patrol groups. Not that it's a happy memory, but it's an important part of our history.

I tried to write it up once, but the sketch I was able to put together (it's linked from the Sock Puppet entry on Fanlore) was emotionally exhausting, and I never produced a final version. Now, if anyone wanted to pick up the job, the primary sources will be much more difficult to access. Dammit.

[morgandawn]

If you are on the mailing list, download the messages now. They can always be used as a resource for later

[morgandawn]

Let us know what you think of these instructions
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FC0cKXyKx01VkNYPrNpUwKla0SqaBboULnQJprsuCaE/edit?usp=sharing

[amedia]

GOT 'EM!!! And several other Ratty groups I belonged to, too.

Thank you so much for finding and disseminating the program throughout fandom. I'm sure a LOT of important history is being saved as a result. ♥

I watched the video and found the program super easy to use, so I haven't referred back to the instructions much yet. I was glad they were there, though!

I will probably use the instructions to export the messages, if I need help.