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Fla Dem

(25,684 posts)
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 09:38 PM Feb 2023

My read posts are showing up as unread.

I just purchased a new Dell laptop. My last one had seen the end of its useful days. But "Here's the Deal".

I go on DU and read the posts. The lettering is blue before I read them and turns to a purple shade after I read them. This is certainly helpful, so we don't keep reading the same posts over and over.

But.... with my new laptop, while the post turns to the purple shade after I read them, if leave DU, when I come back to DU all the "read posts" have turned back to blue. So I can't tell which ones I've already read.

Is this happening to anyone else? DO I have to switch something on in DU to keep read posts from showing up again as unread?

Thanks.

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
My read posts are showing up as unread. (Original Post) Fla Dem Feb 2023 OP
It is not the new laptop Effete Snob Feb 2023 #1
Thank you! 😊 Will try to figure out in the morning. Fla Dem Feb 2023 #9
There's a setting along the lines of.. Effete Snob Feb 2023 #12
just a guess. usonian Feb 2023 #2
I never even knew the browser kept my history. Fla Dem Feb 2023 #10
Oh yes, it does. usonian Feb 2023 #11
Likely a setting in your browser Lettuce Be Feb 2023 #3
Thank you! 😊 Yes it does. Fla Dem Feb 2023 #7
Visited link canetoad Feb 2023 #4
Thanks, I looked tonight but couldn't figure it out. Fla Dem Feb 2023 #8
Don't forget cookies... slightlv Feb 2023 #5
Thank you 😊 Fla Dem Feb 2023 #6
 

Effete Snob

(8,387 posts)
1. It is not the new laptop
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 09:46 PM
Feb 2023

It is more likely the default settings may be in the unspecified browser software you are using.



 

Effete Snob

(8,387 posts)
12. There's a setting along the lines of..
Thu Feb 9, 2023, 08:14 AM
Feb 2023

..show visited links.

Maybe install a different browser - e.g. Firefox or Chrome.

usonian

(13,786 posts)
2. just a guess.
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 09:46 PM
Feb 2023

Normally, you open a link and it is recorded in your browsing history. That's how the browser knows that you opened it, and changes the color.

Best guess is that the history is getting cleared in a browser setting (this is not the usual default) when you close the tab, (or quit and restart the browser) and when you go back, it's not in your history and is the normal "unread" color.

Cruise through preferences, probably under "privacy".

HTH


Anecdotally:
When I clear everything manually (history, data, cookies) I have to log in to DU again (it's the cookies that do this). But realize that there are three separate items we are talking about, and you can change how they are kept or cleared. Looks like you got a default that doesn't suit you.

Fla Dem

(25,684 posts)
10. I never even knew the browser kept my history.
Thu Feb 9, 2023, 12:05 AM
Feb 2023

Shows you how techie 👨?💻 I am. I’ll try to figure it out in the morning.

Thanks for your help😊

usonian

(13,786 posts)
11. Oh yes, it does.
Thu Feb 9, 2023, 12:50 AM
Feb 2023

Very often, law enorcement will (with a warrant, please) search browser history.

Also, know that Google (others?) keeps your search history indefinitely (and gives it out, as above) if you are logged into google. Otherwise, they no doubt keep a history of searches from your IP address, and hence "shadow profiles" which hey vehemently deny (they doth protest too much)

Just know that browser history is there. Under a History menu. And that's how you can check to see if a link/site is in your history, and clear it (and cookies and saved data) if you like.

Browsers have become complex beasts. Far beyond the understanding of the average (even above average) users.

Good luck.

Lettuce Be

(2,339 posts)
3. Likely a setting in your browser
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 09:50 PM
Feb 2023

This site is coded so that when you visit a link, the color will change to show it has been visited (and yes, it is very handy). If this is not persistent from one visit to the next, your browser settings would be where to look. I do not use Windows so cannot say exactly how to check but usually, you'd just go to the top menu of your browser and start looking.

Found this dell support site which helps determine which browser you are using. From there you can get help for the specific browser.

It could be a setting for the history (which keeps track of sites you have visited). History can be set to not save, but that would cause every site you visit to always require a new log-in, and is a huge hassle.

Hope this gives you a starting point.

Fla Dem

(25,684 posts)
8. Thanks, I looked tonight but couldn't figure it out.
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 11:58 PM
Feb 2023

When I’m bright eyed in the morning I’ll give it another go.
Thanks again 😊

slightlv

(4,325 posts)
5. Don't forget cookies...
Wed Feb 8, 2023, 10:55 PM
Feb 2023

Usually if one is deleted upon exit, so will the other. It's definitely a browser setting; and if you're using something like Duck Duck Go, it could be a default setting (like clear history/cookies) upon exit.

I had something similar happen to be with videos after I added the Duck Duck Go search engine. It also included a security enhancement. That's what got me. So, if you have Duck Duck Go installed on your computer, either as an enhancement or as search engine, be sure to revisit those settings.

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