Last modified: 2010-05-15 15:42:48 UTC
The "last modified" date (at the bottom of each page) works fine for UNprotected pages; however, with Protected pages, it doesn't update itself at all. The "last modified" date does change if you unprotect and re-protect the page (which is how I get round it, on my Main Page at least.) (Installed on Linux.)
Under what circumstances does it not update? What does it show instead of updating? Try to provide an exact list of actions to perform. Keep in mind that changing a template on the page will not alter the page's last-modified date. I have been unable to see a difference in behavior between protected and unprotected pages.
Thank you Brian. I understand that updating a template does not update a page's Last Modified date: this isn't the case here. Below are (1) the Last Modified message for my Main Page and (2) the recent History entries. You will see that the most recent change (21:36) does not seem to have affected the Last Modified date. I unprotected then protected it at 15:32 because the previous edit (15:31) had not affected the Last Modified date either (and I knew from before that doing this would update the Last Modified date). This page was last modified 15:32, 17 December 2006. (cur) (last) 21:36, 17 December 2006 Jonathan (Talk | contribs | block) (cur) (last) 15:32, 17 December 2006 Jonathan (Talk | contribs | block) m (Protected "Main Page" [edit=sysop:move=sysop]) (cur) (last) 15:32, 17 December 2006 Jonathan (Talk | contribs | block) m (Unprotected "Main Page") (cur) (last) 15:31, 17 December 2006 Jonathan (Talk | contribs | block) I hope this assists. Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick! Please ask if you need further information. Best wishes, Jonathan
Jonathan, I see the same behavior on protected and unprotected pages. Immediately after editing them, I see the previous edit's date listed as the "last modified" time at the bottom of the page. A purge (?action=purge) resolves this. Most likely the page would also be shown with correct timestamp by another person with different preferences viewing the page after the edit, as they would get a fresh rendering as well. There is no difference as to whether the page is protected or not; both pages behave the same in my testing -- this behavior is bug 6263. Note that the action of protected/unprotecting the page will cause an update of a different fashion. Note that it's also totally unnecessary; simply use ?action=purge. *** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of 6263 ***
Thank you very much. I was trying to help - as well as obtain help - but sorry for the unnecessary trouble! Now that I look again at the page I mentioned above, the Last Modified date is perfect. It is really reassuring to note that a "bug" i marked as having minor severity was treated so seriously. Perhaps if there is a beginners' FAQ somewhere, this could be added to it. Best wishes, Jonathan
