There are many reasons why my blogging activity has slowed down. One of them is technology. It’s been very frustrating, and I tend to put off dealing with the issues.
There are several issues, but the biggest stumbling block has been the email function associated with my posts. Actually, all the email functions haven’t worked, which means I’m never notified when you leave a comment or when new people subscribe.
If you know anything about WordPress websites, you know functionality is provided through plugins. It’s usually a plugin that messes me up. Sometimes, updating one even takes my site down. The plugin I use for post notifications wasn’t doing what it should.
After months of doing nothing, I finally contacted the plugin’s owner. Long story short, I was told that part of my problem was the email address I was using to represent my blog. Instead of using a Gmail address, they said it would work better if I used an address associated with my website.
I use GoDaddy as my host so I checked into my options for setting that up. It was actually quite easy. But then, I had to figure out how to get to those emails. That was a little more complicated.
They use Outlook as the email host. I haven’t used Outlook since I retired. But luckily, I have a Microsoft 365 business account. I got this version because I want to use apps like Access and Publisher.
I kept going through all the steps to connect my new email address but I kept getting error messages. It appeared I didn’t have a license, when I know I do.
So, I contacted GoDaddy. I anticipated hours on the phone, which always makes me procrastinate. But they had a message option, which worked out very well. I was able to access Outlook (and the new email address) on my iPhone. But I couldn’t get to it on my laptop.
Lo and behold, I hadn’t purchased the right email plan. So, $150 later, it worked. Nothing is ever simple or cheap.
With any luck, you are getting this email from admin@retiredintrovert.com. If you’ve opened the email, I will know. But you can still let me know if this worked in a comment. Maybe I’ll even get an email when you do!!
Now we’ll see if I feel like tackling my JetPack issues.
It worked very well, thanks for your stick-to-itiveness!! I have similar tech problems but rarely can figure them out and cannot afford the expensive IT guys with funny name. Hurry for you. And thanks for your greetings. Hoping everyone enjoyed Mom’s day weekend and are having a lovely May.
Kady
I like to work either through chat or email with the tech guys, since I can’t always understand them. And, most of my responses come back in the middle of the night so we’re on opposite schedules. Takes a little longer but we eventually work through it.
Thanks, Kady. So glad you’ve stayed with me through all this!!
Technology woes are the worst! Last week, all my Microsoft applications stopped being able to “save” anything. Of course, I noticed after I spent about an hour updating an excel spreadsheet. It took 2.5 hours on the chat with support… and yes, I did own the license. No idea how that glitch got in and now I’m hesitant to open any document/excel from anyone. I’m not sure the mechanism of how I get your posts notification, but they do come in my email!
Sometimes I feel like giving up instead of dealing with these things. But I’m not there yet, so I gradually address them. It does seem like an endless series of calls and messages. I’m still not sure it’s working exactly the way I want it, but it’s good enough for now. Hope your woes stay away!!
Hi! Happy to see a new blog post! I was able to access the blog through the link in the email which came from the admin account you mentioned.
FYI. In the Like This area, it says Loading…
Thanks, Trudy. Glad it all worked. I do need to look into the Loading. . . thing.
I applaud your efforts to work through those solutions. Some of it was way over my head. I received an email, and I followed the link here. Hope it all works and settles down for you.
Thanks, Judy. Your email showed up in my personal email account, so I’m wondering what link took you there. It’s something I’d like to change. Appreciate your comment.