Thanks, I appreciate the suggestion, but I already fixed my database (links.db) by importing it into Excel as a text file with a | delimiter.
The point of the original post was to document an undisclosed "feature" of this mod, which could have some serious impact on someone installing it unawares.
Of course I searched the database and the FAQ entry,
Directions on adding additional fields in your links.db - IMHO, that needs some serious cleanup, and it doesn't mention upgrade.pl by name. That faq entry leads to a discussion about a modified "upgrade_beta.pl", some then-untested code, and a lot of questions about it.
Have a Happy New Year,
Matt