Side effect of re-using node

We seem to be re-using 'node_id's, and I'm starting to see things like below:

http://www.perlmonks.org/index.pl?node_id=13842

User since:     May 20, 2000 at 03:14 EDT
Last here:     Aug 29, 2012 at 17:00 EDT (3 hours ago)
Experience:     1
Level:    Initiate (1)
Writeups:     1
[download]

Are we maybe not resetting the 'User since:' field?

Hard to welcome someone when they been here 7 years before I got here!

Just wondering!

Update I have added the above, but I've seen two others. I'm not trying to cause problems, but trying to help PM. It seems strange that someone could be here for 12 years and be an 'Initiate', but I may be wrong!

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

Comment on Side effect of re-using node_id? Download Code

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Re: Side effect of re-using node_id? (vague) by tye (Sage) on Aug 30, 2012 at 00:58 UTC
I think you could've managed to be slightly more vague, here. The specific date-times mean that it might be possible for me to figure out what you are talking about if I wanted to do a lot of work and also presumed that you didn't just make up many of those included details. But I'm lazy. Care to actually mention one or a few of the node_ids that you believe have been re-used and maybe even what you saw that led you to believe that re-use had happened? - tye	[reply]
Re: Side effect of re-using node_id? by jdporter (Paladin) on Aug 30, 2012 at 01:01 UTC
Please give at least one actual example of a node_id which you think has been re-used. It's impossible to investigate otherwise.	[reply]
Re: Side effect of re-using node_id? by kcott (Archbishop) on Aug 30, 2012 at 00:53 UTC
What node ID gives the output you show? What user is that supposed to be? Do you get the same with different servers? I checked your home node - it looks fine. If that's where you're experiencing the problem, perhaps just try a refresh. -- Ken	[reply]
Re: Side effect of re-using node_id? by Anonymous Monk on Aug 30, 2012 at 00:02 UTC
Nope, you're just seeing things	[reply]
Re^2: Side effect of re-using node_id? by Anonymous Monk on Aug 30, 2012 at 03:06 UTC
Update I have added the above, but I've seen two others. I'm not trying to cause problems, but trying to help PM. It seems strange that someone could be here for 12 years and be an 'Initiate', but I may be wrong! It could happen.	[reply]
Re^3: Side effect of re-using node_id? by syphilis (Archbishop) on Aug 30, 2012 at 03:36 UTC
It could happen It has happened ! According to his home node, mpersico joined PM on 20th May 2000, provided (at some stage) a brief bio, and then waited until today to make his first post. Seems unlikely to me ... especially given that I'm sure I've seen that username on previous occasions. (But I could be wrong, too.) UPDATE: Maybe it's just that I've seen his name on some other forum ... Cheers, Rob	[reply]
Re^4: Side effect of re-using node_id? by Anonymous Monk on Aug 30, 2012 at 03:55 UTC
Re^5: Side effect of re-using node_id? by Anonymous Monk on Aug 30, 2012 at 04:34 UTC
Some notes below your chosen depth have not been shown here
Re^5: Side effect of re-using node_id? by Jenda (Abbot) on Aug 30, 2012 at 14:14 UTC
Re: Side effect of re-using node_id? by locked_user sundialsvc4 (Abbot) on Sep 13, 2012 at 15:50 UTC
NodeReaper would be the oldest one of all, right?
Re^2: Side effect of re-using node_id? by flexvault (Monsignor) on Sep 13, 2012 at 15:59 UTC
sundialsvc4, Correct! "Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin	[reply]