Workaround for Phantom Last Page in Threads?

[69Firebird400]

Once in a while, I notice that some threads show a last page that, when you click on the link to the last page number, it just takes you to the second-last page. I think I remember there being a discussion of this bug in the past, but I don't remember if there was a fix/workaround for it.

Specifically, in the stickied iPhone thread:
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...-thread-43151/

There are apparently 403 replies (so 404 posts) and therefore 21 pages to the thread. But when I click on page 21, it takes me to page 20. Even if I click on the "Last" page link instead of the page 21 link, it takes me to page 20:

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...1/index21.html

I have encountered this same phenomenon with IE7 on my work computer (which is a nearly new computer) and in both IE7 and Firefox 2 on my home computer (which is a 3 1/2 year old computer).

Any suggestions for how I might read that last page of the thread?

Thanks in advance.

[mgescuro]

I don't see a page 21 on the iPhone thread.

[69Firebird400]

That's weird...I now have one, and everything is working fine, but the first post on page 21 of the iPhone thread is mgescuro's post from 3:17 a.m. this morning - after I posted the feedback in this thread.

But clearly the second link I posted directs to "index21.htm", so I'm not crazy!

Maybe the forum software just puts the 21 there, but there isn't a page 21? Saying there is a page 21 when there isn't one is less of a problem IMO than saying there is one but not letting people read it.

[Uzzy]

I've had that problem before, you're not imaginine it, you're not alone...they cannot keep up quiet forever!

But really I have seen that problem, but it usually goes away once there's another post on the last page.

(but in this case, I can see page 21 )

[69Firebird400]

Originally Posted by Uzzy

I've had that problem before, you're not imaginine it, you're not alone...they cannot keep up quiet forever!

But really I have seen that problem, but it usually goes away once there's another post on the last page.

(but in this case, I can see page 21 )

Yeah, I now see page 21 too...but I think to your earlier point, I can only actually see page 21 because there are now posts are on it (the last page).

Thanks for the support!

[Ming]

I choose to display more threads per page - in your user CP, options, try setting "show posts per page" at 40. I just prefer not having click through so many pages in longer threads. The only strangeness you will note is that page numbers may jump if you were looking at the thread before you logged in - (the number of pages will decrease after you log in).

Not sure if this will help or not with the "phantom page" - related to the ads, perhaps? - but it's worth a try.

[91 s-10baja]

i have mine set up for more replies per page, so less pages!

[FenwickHockey65]

The "phantom page" appears once the amount of posts you have set has reached the maximum.
For example, let's say that you have the max. number of posts on one page set at 20 posts. When the 20th post is reached, the phantom 2nd page will appear. When the 21st post is made, the "phantom page" will be no more as there is now a post on it.
At least that's what I've noticed.

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The "phantom page" appears once the amount of posts you have set has reached the maximum.
For example, let's say that you have the max. number of posts on one page set at 20 posts. When the 20th post is reached, the phantom 2nd page will appear. When the 21st post is made, the "phantom page" will be no more as there is now a post on it.
At least that's what I've noticed.

This sounds about correct, I have seen it on other forums (macrumours being one). I think there might be a possibility that the phantom page exists as there is an "ad" post due up next so the system knows there is another post but you need another acxtual post for the page to be displayed.

Not a big deal but it can be wierd when you find a thread doing this.

[jbernie]

just happened to me in this thread.

GM Reports June Sales; 70K Over Toyota; Truck Sales Down 17%; Mkt Share +2 Points

page 9 was ending up as page 8 until i posted my last comment

[Sal Collaziano]

I believe that issue has to do with a post within the discussion being soft-deleted.. There's no way that I know to prevent the issue.