Server issues - point of no return, we move to Microcosm ASAP

Let me share what we considered...

In all of the following this means the current page, n means a numbered version of this. * asterix around something indicate where we might bold or highlight a page.

Choices:

1. << < this > >>
   
2. |< < this > >|
   
3. first prev this next last
   
4. {min} {-2} {-1} *{n}* {+1} {+2} {max}
   
5. first {-2} {-1} *{n}* {+1} {+2} last
   
6. first {-2} prev {n} next {+2} last
   
7. |< {-2} {-1} current {+1} {+2} >|
   
8. |< {-2} {-1} *{n}* {+1} {+2} >|
   
9. |< {-2} {-1} this {+1} {+2} >|
   
10. Page {X} of {Y} : First < {-1000} {-500} {-100} {-50} {-10} {-2} {-1} *{n}* {+1} {+2} {+10} {+50} {+100} {+500} {+1000} > Last
    
11. Page [{X}] of {Y} : First {-1} *{n}* {+1} Last
    
    

#10 is how vBulletin did it, and links are only shown if valid, navigation is removed altogether if page is 1 of 1. Our big complaint with this is the uselessness of so many options, that mostly they were used to binary search a long thread (and a page number entry box would've been a more powerful way of doing that), and finally that such huge navigation would never work on mobile.

#11 was what we decided on. It's compact and offers a really simple and intuitive pagination control. The “Page x of y” text places the “First... Last” in context. For most users advancing next, prev and first, last is all the navigation required. The {X} within “Page x of y” is a form control, hitting enter on that form will submit the form and launch a navigation jump to the designated page (if valid). If the number is above y, or below x, or not a number, then nothing will happen. This control gives power users the ability to jump around, binary searching the discussion.

Only valid links are displayed, and if there is only a single page, the pagination control is not shown at all.

Or if you want... you can just imagine we designed it like that for shits and giggles.