Resetting Admin Activity Log

[pennybear8]

I am using Zen Cart 1.3.8a

I am fairly new to this and have had no problems so far, I just don't understand how to back up the database before I reset the admin activity log. It is telling me I need to do so because of time and such, but I don't understand how to get in and back it up. Also, is it like reformatting? Is it going to erase counters, customer info, and the like. I apologize for my ignorance on the subject, but I can't find the answers anywhere. All the help is very appreciated. Thank you!

[confused_aswell]

Hi Penny

You don't have to worry about doing this. Let me explain, every time you log into your admin it will record this activity, then for every other click and page you visit in your admin it will also record this activity. So you can see this activity log can soon clock up some entries into the database.

I wouldn't worry about emptying it, I do mine all the time. It's just a log of the activity in the admin, it won't delete any inportant info about customers or counters etc.

I hope this helps.

Thanks

Phil

PS Have a look at this http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63579

[pennybear8]

Thank you soooo much Phil, and thank you for explaining in easy terms lol I am glad I now know how to back it up, but even more thankful I don't really have to. I was bummed I couldn't find a thread anywhere on backing it up, I guess I should've read further down. Anyway, thanks so much-I am very relieved!

[confused_aswell]

It's always nice to be appreciated.

Your welcome.

Phil

[DrByte]

Just to add: The *purpose* of the admin activity log is multifold. As explained above, it collects information about all admin-related activity. That activity is important in 2 cases: (a) if you've got multiple staff and someone messes around, esp if one is disgruntled, or if someone guesses the password to an account, you can find out which one and at least change that password; and (b) for PCI compliance ... you're supposed to be able to track all access to customer payment history by recording who has had access and when.
If you're certain you don't need the information, feel free to delete it. If you might need it for safekeeping, be sure to keep a backup of the data.

And, of course, you should *ALWAYS* be keeping frequent regular backups of your online store's data in a safe offline place. At least weekly if not daily.

[fishingmaniac]

OK, but how do actually I access it to read it?

[afo]

Use phpMyAdmin from your webmaster panel. It's not in your Zen Cart.

[spleify]

Hi Penny

You don't have to worry about doing this. Let me explain, every time you log into your admin it will record this activity, then for every other click and page you visit in your admin it will also record this activity. So you can see this activity log can soon clock up some entries into the database.

I wouldn't worry about emptying it, I do mine all the time. It's just a log of the activity in the admin, it won't delete any inportant info about customers or counters etc.

I hope this helps.

Thanks

Phil

PS Have a look at this http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showthread.php?t=63579

So, when you say "You dont have worry about doing this" and "I wouldnt worry about emptying it" do you mean to NOT do it? Or go ahead and do it that it is not a problem and is easy and there wont be any ill effects?

Will this also slow down my site and admin page? My site and admin pages load times are ridiculous, sometimes 2-3 minutes per page. That completely unacceptable.

Thanks for any and all help on this subject.

[spleify]

Any advice on the above post?

Thanks

[DrByte]

Your admin activity logs are NOT what's slowing down your storefront.

So, if both your storefront and your admin are experience slowness, then that's telling you that your server is overloaded and cannot handle the demands you (and the many other sites hosted with it) are placing on it.
And it's a topic for another thread.