Newest Nodes Flag is not set?

[DBAugie]

Is there some not quite obvious control or feature on the Newest Nodes configuration that actually sets the Newest Node flag?

I make a daily effort to check perlmonks and see what new horizon might open before me. Invariably, I attempt to examine "Newest Nodes". Rather than actually gaining access to the node itself, I receive a relatively polite but increasingly annoying message that "Newest Nodes flag is not set." At the same time, I get to (once again) state my preferences for viewing "Newest Nodes". Every day, I select preferences ... I submit ... I save ...

Does anyone know who has captured this "Newest Nodes" flag? Where can I ensure that it is set?

[jdporter]

"Flag" is a misnomer. The setting actually contains a timestamp; if it is set, only nodes posted since that time will be displayed. You "set" it by clicking the "I've checked all these" or "Check for newer nodes" button at the bottom of the Newest Nodes page. Which label is on the button depends on whether the "flag" already has a value or not, but in either case, clicking the button does the same thing: the "flag" is assigned the time value of "now".*

If the "flag" is set, you'll see a "Clear my last checked flag" button at the top of Newest Nodes. If it isn't set, you see a little form at the top of the Newest Nodes page which says "Show nodes created within the past X days". Using this form has only immediate effect; it doesn't save anything anywhere. By default, Newest Nodes shows nodes posted within the past 24 hours. This form lets you temporarily override that span.

Newest Nodes Settings shows the status of your "flag", but only lets you clear it, not set it.

Update: Actually, the time assigned to the "flag" when you press the button is the time at which you last pressed this button, not the time at which you're pressing it now. Remember, the idea is that this value represents the point in time before which you've already seen nodes, and after which you have not yet seen nodes. (This only pertains to NN and RAT, not to any other interface, such as The Monastery Gates.) Many thanks to bobf for catching me on this detail.

[DBAugie]

That's the answer I was looking for. I was overlooking the control at the bottom of the page that reads "I've checked all these"

Thanks!

[ww]

I've waited a bit to respond, as I was hoping that someone wiser would give you a direct and useful answer.

I can't. But perhaps someone could if you told us a bit more.

I assume your reference to "submit" is to the submit button on the page linked from "More Newest Nodes Settings" which is atop the Newest Nodes page (and which was added to that page in the past few months, IIRC). If so, I can't duplicate your problem. If not, please clarify.