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— bpaddock:facebook_download [2014/07/04 16:46] (current)
bpaddock created
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 +{{http://​www.facebook.com|Facebook}} is good for keeping in touch with people and sharing things of mutual interests. ​ Alas it sucks as an archive tool with no good way to search your own timeline.
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 +There is a way around this problem. ​ If you go to the {{https://​www.facebook.com/​settings?​tab=account|General Account Settings}} tab at the bottom there is '​Download a copy of your Facebook data.'
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 +{{:​bpaddock:​facebook_download.png}}
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 +When you click on 'Start my archive',​ Facebook will create a .zip file of your timeline and chats, then email you when the process is complete.
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 +If you post a lot of videos and pictures it could be a very //large// .zip file.  Right now my own timeline is coming in about 50MBytes.
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 +Only do this on a real computer. ​ Tablet or phone has little hope of handling the unzipped file.
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 +If you wait five to ten minutes then refresh the page, you get a screen that looks similar to this one:
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 +Download Your Information
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 +Get a copy of what you've shared on Facebook.
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 +This is a copy of personal information you've shared on Facebook. To protect your info, we'll ask you to re-enter your password to confirm that this is your account.
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 +**Caution: Protect your archive**
 +Your Facebook archive includes sensitive info like your private Wall posts, photos and profile information. Please keep this in mind before storing or sending your archive.
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 +Click on the green '​Download Your Archive'​ at the center of the screen to start the download.
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 +There are '​apps'​ that claim they'​ll do this for you.  Alas you must give this app your password, which is a //bad idea//​. ​ The app is just doing what you can do for yourself here.
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 +Use a program like {{http://​7-zip.org|7-Zip}} that will unzip the archive while maintaining the directory structure. ​ Then point your web browser, via the keys Control-O to open a local file, to open index.html. ​ There is to be found a summary of your account, your messages, and your timeline.
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