Should you go against your Client? (Was: [thelist] Message Archive - MySQL)

[James]

On Wednesday, July 30, 2003, at 03:47 PM, Chris Marsh wrote:
> I have a database that contains a table for messages that have been 
> sent
> between application users. Each message has a time stamp set when
> received.  .......
> However, although the client seems sure that no one will *ever* want to
> recover a message more than 30 days old, I do not share his faith.
> Consequently, what I want to do is ..........

Um, shouldn't you leave this? You Client has expressly said this, and 
you seem to be proposing to go behind his back against him.

Maybe he has his reasons for this; for example the database could be 
put on a host where he pays for expensive storage, or maybe due to the 
applications intended use he wants to encourage users to use it for 
short term things only, and not as a message archive?

I would have thought the proper course of action is to sit down with 
him and explain to him why you think its a bad idea and to try to 
change his mind, but if he remains resolute then you bow to his will.

What is other peoples experience in matters like this?

James.