Unfortunately, email systems have evolved in such a way that the standard headers `References' and `In-Reply-To' are horribly [ab]used; the result is that interfaces for navigating threads invariably mangle threading (in my opinion, the main problem is caused by the fact that nobody cares what `In-Reply-To' says and everybody makes naive assumptions about what `References' supplies).
In any case, I dare you to go here: http://www.nntp.perl.org/group/perl.perl5.porters/2011/05/msg172431.html and play around with `Thread Previous' and `Thread Next', and then provide an explanation for WTF is going on (note dates too). Now, admittedly, this isn't necessarily a problem with perlbug or rt.perl.org's software, but I would add that the request tracker exacerbates this situation by flinging copies of emails all over the place with various Message-Ids and semi-spoofed `From' headers. Surely something can be done to make working via email more seamless; the request tracker should just be a third-party recording the discussion (and only spoofing messages sent explicitly via its interface). Sincerely, Michael Witten
