[rt-users] [RT] Message Threading

[Michael Witten]

Unfortunately, email systems have evolved in such a way that the standard
headers `References' and `In-Reply-To' are horribly [ab]used; the result
is that interfaces for navigating threads invariably mangle threading
(in my opinion, the main problem is caused by the fact that nobody cares
what `In-Reply-To' says and everybody makes naive assumptions about what
`References' supplies).

In any case, I dare you to go here:

  http://www.nntp.perl.org/group/perl.perl5.porters/2011/05/msg172431.html

and play around with `Thread Previous' and `Thread Next', and then provide
an explanation for WTF is going on (note dates too).

Now, admittedly, this isn't necessarily a problem with perlbug or
rt.perl.org's software, but I would add that the request tracker
exacerbates this situation by flinging copies of emails all over the
place with various Message-Ids and semi-spoofed `From' headers.

Surely something can be done to make working via email more seamless;
the request tracker should just be a third-party recording the
discussion (and only spoofing messages sent explicitly via its
interface).

Sincerely,
Michael Witten