Is there a way to access Skype IM logs?

Question

I tried looking in C:\Users[name]\AppData\Roaming\Skype and I found a folder called "chatsync" with some mysterious folders with files ending in .dat. I'm almost certain that these are the chat logs but I don't know a way to properly open these files (notepad shows gibberish mixed with English words). I'm not trying to do sleuthing, just a project for my girlfriend.

So more importantly: how can I read Skype's .dat files properly?

Answer 1

As far as I know there is no way to open those files except with a utility. I've always used this one to read them:

http://www.osiwanlan.de/skypr/

Answer 2

http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/skype_log_view.html