Confusing LinkedIn Status Update Screen when the Session is timed-out! Is this a Bug?

As if the number of post categories on Software Testing Zone were few, I am introducing yet another series of posts, which I have decided to call as “Is this a Bug?” In this series I am going to post a number of software anomalies that look suspicious and buggy to me. This series will be a kind of repository where I am going to dump all the suspected software defects and bugs that I encounter in my day to day life. When I post them under this category it essentially means that these are the kind of software failures that are ambiguous and one can’t be very sure if something indeed is a software failure or it is just the way it was designed to work! I would leave the final decision (whether this is a Bug or not) up to my readers and will just post here my observations. I think this is going to be fun. 

So here goes the first post of the “Is this a Bug?” series:

1. Login to your LinkedIn A/C (yes, you need a LinkedIn profile to be able to verify this).

2. Update your LinkedIn status. You can find the corresponding text box to enter and update your status on the home page, on the left side bar and elsewhere. “Your status was updated” message should be displayed by LinkedIn.

3. Now simulate a scenario of network failure. 

[Hint: unplug your modem and connect it back OR disconnect the connection and connect again OR simply logout of LinkedIn -> hit the browser Back button -> Page Refresh (F5) OR use your own ingenious method to simulate a network failure.] 

I had a REAL network failure and when I connected back to the internet I saw this rather confusing LinkedIn screen (please refer the screenshot) that displayed on one hand that *my* status was updated and on the other hand asked me to Join/Sign-In to LinkedIn. This is same as asking a guest at your door to come in and take a seat in your living room, offering her with coffee, chatting with her for a while and then asking her "do I know you?"!

[click on the image for an enlarged version]

What do you think? Is this a Bug? Feel free to share your opinion by commenting below.

P.S. If you had experienced such a bug?/not-a-bug? situation, feel free to Contact Me with the details (if possible screenshots) and I will try to post it on Software Testing Zone with your name.

P.P.S. This “Is this a Bug?” series is inspired by Ben Simo’s Is There A Problem Here? Blog. If you liked this post I recommend you to visit Ben’s Blog as well. Chances are very high that you would like it.

Happy Testing…

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About Debasis Pradhan

Debasis has over a decade worth of exclusive experience in the field of Software Quality Assurance, Software Development and Testing. He writes here to share some of his interesting experiences with fellow testers.