This could explain the phantom forum pages and missing post numbers. There have been several threads reported with missing pages/posts, the weird thing is with IE the numbering system is interpreted differently than with Firefox. I've explained a few of these as starting at a higher number than post #1, but those using IE have said they saw different numbering. Maybe this discrepancy you found is related to that as well.
ed1, I think you know what I was referring to, the inconsistency in post count total (Under Quick Links/My Posts). Just to make sure we are on the same page.
I do remember folks reporting the numbers associated with certain specific posts being off but that was not what I was talking about. The thing I see probably is part of the "broader" problem you are describing. They might be intertwined and closely related siblings.
Not sure if this would make any difference, I was/am using Firefox for my FT viewing pleasure.
As for the phantom forum pages, I didn't know much about that. But well before the most recent beta search problems, I already notice the
Phantom Thread Page Phenomenon in one particular I've been actively participated in. The
"Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon", which has been ongoing there since around 12/10/07 (after the 2nd page on that thread), is forcing this thread to "prematurely" generate a new page link/count which doesn't have enough posts to support the page yet. (Again, hoping you are following me.) For example, when there are only 25 posts or something, Page 3 has already being generated with the link that only takes you to the top of Page 2, when Page 3 shouldn't be produced before post#31. This is a bug that not only confuses readers but bugs OP as well.
What's interesting is there's a magic number for this thread I am referring to as well. The total post count under the subforum overview is always 4 count off (for example, 27 viewable posts but showing 31 posts under the forum summary overview page). When I contacted the mods and Mikel, I was told it was a
"rare" glitch in the system and was due to deleted posts in the thread. That doesn't make sense to me since (1) I know for sure there were more than 4 deleted posts in that thread and the deletion didn't happen all at once; (2) I've been observing countless threads that recoup themselves and display accurate thread & post numbering, after certain posts being deleted. I finally gave up reporting that problem after 7 reports within two weeks and seeing no difference. What else can I do? I am just a regular non-techie user instead of a programmer!
It's weird that those posts are still showing up in the "My Posts" list. I wonder if they're also showing up on a search for all posts by another user. In either case it sounds like yet another problem for the tech team to resolve.
I would think this is certainly a bug. I have no extra time (nor know how) to experiment your scenario but IB folks should definitely take a look at it!
The currently viewable deleted posts (with phantom post links), however, gives me another thought on the
"Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon". Please pardon my non-techie logic first. If the deleted posts are still accounted for under Quick Links/My Posts thus viewable to the users, no wonder I am observing
"Phantom Thread Page Phenomemon" for that thread! Since they still "count" somewhere in the background and the system, it makes sense (in this funny way) "the thread page generator" would release the next page link prematurely. I suspect others are witness the same problem in other threads as well. I still don't know why the trigger/magic number is 4 for that thread though. I am not sure if this is a search problem either. I only know these are tech problems.
I do hope IB hamsters are really reading all of our problem reports and get them fixed.