This has probably been going on forever, but I just noticed. I typically go to “View New Threads” when I first come onto the SDMB. After reading a few threads, or one long one, some time has passed since I logged in. The time stamp on the top (most recent) thread will now be several minutes old. So I hit my browser (MSE) Refresh button, and the newest thread is just a minute old. I read a thread. Hit the Back button to return to my Refreshed New Threads … and I’m back at the original group of now, not-so-new Threads. What’s going on? The Straight Dope Board having a short-term memory problem?
OK … did someone at the SDMB throw the ‘refresh’ switch? Now, when I come back from a thread to the Forum, it is updated. So sometimes it refreshes, sometimes it doesn’t, being in a Forum vs. “New Threads”?
My #500 was to **Attack of the Vengeful Sons of Sequential Thread Titles, Part IX - 31 replies **, got to 500 before my first anniversary, but not by much.
If ever you are in doubt about the freshness of your new page, hit “CNTRL” + “Refresh” and your system will bring you the most updated page possible.
Not sure how the SD server handles this, but it’s also possible your browser is feeding you cached pages. For example, if you’re on AOL, it’s damn near a dead-bang certainty, it’s easier and faster for AOL to send you a page from their server. Which may or may not be current.
Hope this helps and doesn’t confuse further.
your humble TubaDiva
Administrator