Monday, July 14, 2014

Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Good morning. Call me frustrated. For the last several weeks I've been trying to figure out why I can't comment on some blogs, to no avail. I received a ChromeBook for my birthday, and with Blogger being attached to Google, you would think it would make commenting a snap. Not so much. I have no idea why I can't comment, even (as I found out this morning) on my best friend's blog.

I also finally went over to Goodreads to try AGAIN to put up THE CAPTAIN'S COINCIDENCE. It's been published since March. I've tried to do it like 5 times since then, and again, to no avail. After screwing playing around with it for like 45 minutes, I finally got it all together in one place, on my author page. You would think it would be easy considering they're interfaced with Amazon. But no.

Then there's Google+. I figured if I joined that, it would be easier to blog and post, and join, and see, and do, and guess what, it's just another nightmare to figure out. AND the worst part is I have two Anne Gallagher persona's, so which one did I set myself up with -- the WRONG one. I set up the Piedmont Writer blog instead of the Anne Gallagher one.

I'm kind of peeved because I also can't write. I'm 25K in to THE LADY'S SECRET and want to finish it but I can only write on Monster's laptop, because the ChromeBook won't allow Word, and DropBox won't reconfigure it. It's an unholy mess trying to figure out how to do this, and how to do that.

Sorry about the rant today, but I'm supposed to be basking on the beach, but we're stuck in Pennsylvania because of impending severe thunderstorms. Not that I mind PA, it's gorgeous where my brother lives, but I'm itching to smell seaweed.

I'm at the point where I'm ready to give up on social media all together. I mean, I take breaks when it all gets to be too much, but somewhere in between breaks, they change codes or htmls or some god-forsaken-thing, and then I can't figure out how to do anything. I HATE modern technology.

And let's not even get into why I can't set up voice mail on my new Android phone. You would think the maker's of the device would give you clear concise directions on how to do it. Guess what... not even a word. So I've been to the store where I bought it, but none of the salespeople could help me either.

I need a vacation.

Tell me -- How do YOU feel about modern technology? Do you embrace it? or would you rather be in the stone age? (I'm heading back to Jurassic I think.)

Anne Gallagher (c) 2014








16 comments:

Maria Zannini said...

I had a few weeks when I couldn't comment on certain people's Blogger posts, but I can't remember what I did to get back on. (Sorry)

I do remember it was only bloggers who had their comment box embedded. Anyone with a popup comment box worked fine.

If I used my iphone or another computer, I was able to comment on those blogs.

Check your settings and see if you can tweak a couple of them. Also, try logging out of Blogger and then log back in. It's possible you're working off cached information.

And to answer your question--I hate technology. I learn it because I have to, but I don't have to like it. :)

Stacy McKitrick said...

I hate technology, too. I am not looking forward to the day I have to upgrade my old flip phone to a smart phone. Unfortunately, I see that day coming soon.

Sorry for all the bad stuff happening. There have been days I feel like throwing my computer through the window, too! :)

Anne Gallagher said...

Maria -- That seems to be the sticky wicket -- those with comments embedded, I can't access. Oh well, I guess. I've tried all your suggestions but nothing seems to work. I guess I'll just be seen as a snob.

Stacy -- Throwing things across the room seems to be my mantra lately. I wish Monster was a little older and I would make her do all my social media junk. I can't figure it out and when I finally do, they change it on me.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I ended up with two accounts too.

Really a pain in the butt.

The most annoying...finding out five months after going to the deluxe version of account (whatever they call it) learning I had been a 'no-reply' commentor since making that stupid decision.

I used to cuss Microsoft. Found a company I curse even more often now with Google.

At least MS made attractive user interfaces. Google can't even do that.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Blogger gets funky once in a while. Sometimes I can't comment on certain blogs.

J.B. Chicoine said...

I have a love-hate relationship with technology! I love the technology I know and understand, and I used to enjoy leaning new stuff--like new programs and such--but now I just want easy!

...And I know you would have posted on my blog if you could have! :-)

J.B. Chicoine said...

...by the way, thanks for the great reviews on BLIND STITCHES! So glad your computer let up put them up on Amazon and Goodreads! :-)

The Happy Whisk said...

I am sorry to read about all these little messes. It can be a nightmare out there. Hope things balance out soon.

To answer your question, I am currently having fun with social media. Because of the way things are today, I am able to take my food writing in any direction I want, and that excites me.

Anne Gallagher said...

Mac -- Attractive user interfaces...Even the simplest things to look for on Google are buried under code and take five pages to find them.

Susan -- I think I figured my lack of commenting has to do with people who embed their comments in their blog posts. There's nothing I can do about it.

Bridget -- Technology was wonderful when I first learned it. I knew how to do it. But then they make it 'better' and screw everything up.

Ivy -- Yes, once you get to where you want to be, it's fun. I remember those days.


jabblog said...

I can't understand Google+ at all and the circles so now there are
several blogs I cannot comment on.

Laurel Garver said...

What really makes me crazy is trying to comment on Wordpress blogs when I have a blogger account. You have to use your TWITTER id to do so, which makes no sense to me at all. During the A-Z Challenge, it seemed like 3/4 of my comments wouldn't post. I got in the habit of writing them in notepad before attempting to post. So, so frustrating.

As others have said, Blogger's comment system sometimes is wonky. And some blogs chose to use Google+ as their comment system, which is also annoying, because the protocols aren't exactly intuitive. I hadn't noticed that you had to had to have someone in circles to comment--maybe that's a security feature?

Anne Gallagher said...

Janice -- I joined Google+ thinking it would be easier for me to comment and perhaps be seen around in other "atmospheres" but what I've found is it's just another giant time suck and not worth the effort to learn how to use. Which I still don't.

Laurel -- I remember a few years ago when Blogger was changing it's whatever-it-was and I couldn't comment for awhile, but it seemed to pass. Now, I have no idea what's going on. Maybe they're changing their whatever-it-is again.

And no, from what I understand, you don't need to be in someone's circle to comment on blogger. Or do you? I have no idea. There are no instructions for the + thing.

Liza said...

I'm okay with what I know. But when they change things, I get a little testy. Wait until your daughter gets older. She'll help you with everything. :)

The Happy Whisk said...

I understand it can be frustrating though.

Linda G. said...

Oh, dear. I hope you're safely at the beach now, and enjoying a well-deserved break from that annoying technology!

Like most, I suspect, I have a love/hate relationship with technology. Love it when it works, despise it when it doesn't. I suspect it knows this, and messes with my head on purpose. ;)

Anne Gallagher said...

Liza -- Why do they have to change things when they aren't broken. I was learning how to do all this
"new" technology at my own pace and once I finally got a grip on them, they make them "new and improved" which is just stupid. Yes, I agree, when Monster is old enough she will do all my promo and marketing.

Ivy -- It's a little beyond frustrating some days, but I'm dealing the best I can.

Linda -- Yes, I am at the beach, thank you. I don't mind technology as long as it stays consistent. Which it never does.