I have a theory that there's a reason for hiding the links for 50-message thread display - the links aren't necessary for visitors, since visitors rarely have reason to open 250-message threads. It's the "regulars" who frequent the long threads, and I think Max had fun sneaking in these links, waiting to see how long it would take for somebody would notice them. He added the feature very quietly - and there are a number of other quietly-added features that many Mudcatters haven't discovered. Ya gotta look around.

-Joe-