Adding a contact to a distribution list creates second entry for contact
TB 91.9.1 on Windows 11
Strange behavior from creating a distribution list.
First, I create a bunch of individual entries in my address book. I standardize on the format of the 'display name' being 'Lastname, Firstname', so the address book sorts alphabetically by last name.
Next I create a new distribution list. From the address book, click 'new list', give it a name, then start populating it with entries from the address book. I add the entries by beginning to type the entry name (last name, first name), and it loads the field with the first match, I click on the matching entry to confirm, then press enter to advance the cursor to the next slot for another entry. After I complete building my distribution list, I see that my address book now has two entries for some of the names I added to the distribution list. What is causing this?
FWIW, It seems that all of the 'doubled' entries are gmail addresses, but not all gmail addresses do this. It also seems that in some - not all - cases one of the doubled entries has somehow picked up a 'chat name' - that I never entered, anywhere.
Alla svar (5)
Having received no reply to the original question over a month ago, I though I'd reply myself to add some detail and perhaps 'bump' the question back up the list.
I ran a controlled test. Created a new list in the address book - call it 'a_test'. To that list I added four names from the address book.
The first name had only one address book entry, and that entry had a single email address. The second name had only one address book entry, but that single entry had two email addresses. I selected one of them. The third name had two separate address book entries, each with a single, unique email address. I added both to the test list.
All address book entries have entries for First Name, Last Name, and Display Name.
After saving the test list, I came back to the address book and examined the individual entries that had been added to the test list.
The first name now has two separate entries in the address book. The second name now has two separate entries in the address book. The third name now has two separate entries for one of the email addresses.
In all cases, the 'duplicated' entry has only Display Name. The fields for First Name and Last Name are blank.
When I delete the list, the duplicated individual entries remain.
So, again, can anyone explain what's going on here?
Using T-bird 90.11.0 (32 bit)
As a courtesy, I spent twenty minutes in attempting to duplicate your issue, and I cannot. Sorry.
@David - thanks for the attempt. I'm a year+ into a retirement from a 40 year career in IT. Appreciate how frustrating it is to not be able to reproduce a clearly documented problem.
Were/are you using the exact same version as I am?
I share your frustration. I entered IT in 1964 and retired in 2005. My version of TB is 102. This is a big jump from your version so, if and when you do upgrade, I encourage you to make a backup of your profile first. being a new version with many new features, there are still some bugs being worked out.
"My version of TB is 102. "
Ah, I didn't realize I was behind on releases. I'll pursue an upgrade. Thanks.