New series of echelle spectra were obtained to study the medium- and long-t
erm evolution of the disks of several Be stars. Subtle variations in the wi
ngs of optically thin and thick emission lines suggest that the conventiona
l, static picture of the disk being in quasi-contact with the central star
is justified primarily (or perhaps only) after an outburst event. Some week
s to months later, a low-density region seems to develop above the star and
slowly grows outwards. A subsequent outburst may later replenish this cavi
ty. In fact, in two stars this more ring-like structure is apparently at ti
mes detached far enough from the star to allow for the formation of a secon
dary inner disk from the ejecta of a later outburst. This behaviour is not
necessarily representative of Be stars in general because in the later spec
tral sub-types, discrete mass loss events have not so far been observed to
play a major role. In the light of the apparent life cycle of such disks, a
brief discussion is given of the differences in strength and variability b
etween the winds of Be and normal B stars. It seems possible to attribute t
hese differences to matter that was initially in the disk and therefore lar
gely shielded from the stellar radiation, but that during the course of the
inner excavation (or even complete distruction) of the disk becomes expose
d.