August 30, 2008
I'm choosing to laugh about this. Ok, not really.
Last night, I put on my big girl pants and prepared to reload MT on the server. First, I rebooted my laptop to make the annoying fan shut off.
Check!
Wait, my wireless connection is down. What the hell?? Reboot. Yay! Wireless is back up.
Check!
Try to connect to web server. Try to connect to web server. Check three of the other sites I run off the same server. Well, hell. Why is it that when my site is down, my host's sales page is still loading fine? And the admin page.
I shut down and went to bed. My host is rarely down more than a few hours, if that.
Everyone went down for naps while I was making cupcakes for the new neighbors moving in. It's quiet, no one needs anything, and the web server is back up. Slightly chocolately big girl pants are on.
I changed the name of the MT folder as a backup, uploaded and unpacked MT 4.21 and configured it with the database information.
Holy crap! It worked! Except, uh, it looks exactly the same as it did before. Shouldn't my templates have been wiped out and returned to defaults?
I did a little digging, and it turns out the templates are saved in the database. I think. In any case, I'm not poking my ignorant fingers around in the database and taking a chance of losing any content.
All my angst was for nothing, I guess. I mean, not only were there no issues, but I could have skipped the whole 10 minute process and eaten more frosting. I guess I'll muck around the templates and make some more changes and see what happens. In the meantime, unless something more annoying than the server 500 error (the one where it still publishes, not the other one, that was a real PITA), I guess I'll leave the big stuff well enough alone.
Posted by me at 3:47 PM | Comments (1)
August 28, 2008
Wish me luck!
Owen slept much better last night. Thank god. I just wish I knew what causes good vs bad nights, so I could at the very least predict when I'm going to go sleepless.
I've decided to flirt with disaster and do a fresh install of MT instead of keeping this upgrade. (Side note: I *just* upgraded to MT 4.2, and 4.21 has already been released. Come on, people!) The server 500 error is somewhat erratic, but there are other inconsistencies as well. I'm ready to just start fresh.
Tonight I'm going to make some backups and get things in place. I'll probably try to do the actual install tomorrow, and then it may take me a few days (who are we kidding? It could be weeks) to get the header, etc. back together. I'll pretty much be happy if I don't lose any content and the picture links still work.
Posted by me at 9:07 PM | Comments (0)
August 15, 2008
The hell??? I just got that server error again, the one that I thought was fixed by the upgrade. Even more confusing, the post shows up where it's supposed to be without me having to publish the site.
Posted by me at 9:31 PM | Comments (0)
August 14, 2008
Quick catch-up
Just a quick update before I head to bed.
I just upgraded to MT 4.2. It seems to have fixed my publishing issues and a few others, besides. I still need to mess with it a bit to see if there's anything else that was broke (it's been so long since I posted that I can't remember every issue I was having), and it didn't fix some of the layout issues (the Category links are still missing on some pages). I haven't tested scheduled posts yet, either. Those haven't worked in an upgrade or two.
I'm quite relieved that the major issues were fixed, which saves me having to blow this thing away and install from scratch. That makes me incredibly nervous. I need to find an LJ Book equivalent for MT, but that's another day.
I shouldn't have done my backup and stopped posting before MT released it's final version of 4.2. I'm glad I finally got the upgrade done. I was starting to miss posting, and I have lots to write about!
Posted by me at 10:33 PM | Comments (0)
April 9, 2008
Well, hell
I upgraded MT to 4.1, and it didn't fix any of my problems, including the one where my last 3 posts (and probably this one) show up in the monthly archives but not on the front page.
ETA: Well, somehow posting this fixed the problem of my posts not showing up, although I'm still getting the server error on my end when I post. Weird.
Posted by me at 10:20 PM | Comments (1)
March 25, 2008
Server error
A while back, I started having issues when I posted to my blog. Instead of telling me I was successful, I would receive a server error telling me to try again later. It took me a while to figure it out, but my posts actually were showing up on the site, several times if I kept trying to post until I didn't get an error.
Then it went away.
And now, it is back. I have no idea what fixed the problem, and I have no idea what happened to bring it back. I don't know if it's an error in MT or with my host, or some preference or option I've selected. I haven't changed anything that I can think of lately. Hell, I've barely posted. I think the error is interfering with bloglines seeing my posts.
Worse, because my posts are still getting saved and showing up, I'm not going to be looking too hard for answers anytime soon. Maybe I'll feel differently after tax day.
Posted by me at 8:23 PM | Comments (0)
November 6, 2007
November is my month of technological stupidity
Woo! I found the option I changed the fucked everything up! And it took less than an hour to remember what it was and how to find it!
Posted by me at 10:07 PM | Comments (0)
What the hell?
You should see the look on my face.
I don't usually bother to check my site out every time I post, once I've established that posting is actually working. I just went to see what picture I posted yesterday, since I can't keep track of more than about 30 seconds ago, much less a whole day ago, and there was nothing from yesterday. I actually published two posts, it says right here on my "Manage Entries" page, but neither is showing up.
I have the feeling I mussed something up while I was trying to get my cron crap working, but I don't know what. I didn't think I changed anything that should show up, and neither of those posts was done as scheduled. And, you know, it actually SAYS they were published, which it doesn't do when I'm testing scheduled posts.
Posted by me at 9:33 PM | Comments (0)
October 29, 2007
He even COOKS
Hmm, it seems I have also lost the ability to post in one click, and to create scheduled posts. I guess this means I'll be blogging real time for NaBloPoMo, unless I can figure this out! Not that I wasn't going to, of course.
My dad is here for a week, and the angels are singing. My dad is the one person who can visit and it doesn't feel like we have company. In fact, when he leaves, I have to do things like cook and play with the kids and care for them and shit. And I'm not pawning the kids off on him, either. He and they *ask* to leave me alone. While he's here, it's like *I'm* the one on vacation. When he leaves, he takes the shiny with him. And also? He doesn't care if I clean.
I'm hoping by the end of the week, my brain returns to partial functionality. Of course, I've lowered the bar a little on the definition of functionality, but hey, every brain cell counts!
Posted by me at 2:44 PM | Comments (0)
October 27, 2007
Well, mostly
Where the heck did my category listing go??
Posted by me at 9:49 PM | Comments (0)
Success!
I bumbled my way through yet another upgrade!
The new interface is WAY different from what I've gotten used to, so I imagine it will take a while before I'm not cursing every little change. Change is good, but I don't much like it. There also may be a few glitches to work out, but for now, I'm just happy I didn't lose any posts or comments, at least as far as I can tell.
There is one major glitch that may not let me post until I install some template. The install guide is nice enough to tell me that I can write and save but not publish posts, but doesn't tell me how to install the template I need to make it work. Which means I may be blogging just for myself.
Not much different than usual :)
Posted by me at 8:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2007
Another upgrade
I finally took the time to poke around and try to figure out how to get comment replies to email back to the original poster. I didn't have a damn bit of luck with that, but I did find another upgrade I'm going to go ahead and install. I'm hoping I can remember how to back up the site. Here's hoping I don't need the backup!
I'm hoping to do the upgrade by this weekend, at the latest. With any luck, I'll still be around on Monday!
Posted by me at 10:00 PM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2007
Power up!
AC adapters that work are nice. They are nicer when they're more than 3 inches long, but hey, at least I can balance my checkbook and upload pictures now. I think my next purchase will be a new battery, since the one I have won't last the 20 seconds it took me to switch fromone outlet to another.
Speaking of pictures, I now have hundreds that I took off the camera from the last week or so. I took an awful lot of them with captions in mind, now I'm hoping I can remember what I was thinking when I took them. Considering I can barely remember what day of the week it is, that seems unlikely.
I think I'll start sorting now.
Posted by me at 8:25 PM | Comments (0)
September 24, 2007
Let's face it, it's premier week. I was unlikely to be read-worthy anyway.
I'm being temporarily sidelined by a broken AC adapter. We are geeky enough to have spare computers around the house, but all my pictures and stuff are on the one I can't turn on.
Dell wants $65 for a replacement, so I checked out Fry's, where I could instantly gratify myself and hopefully find something less...pricey. The cheapest thing Fry's had that had a chance of being compatible was $150, so I'll be sucking up the inconvenience of mail order. Actually, I'm in the procecss of getting one on eBay for half the price, including shipping. It says new, and appears to be Dell brand, even. I just hope it really is.
Posted by me at 7:46 PM | Comments (0)
July 17, 2007
I got an email from my host the other day, saying that due to the downtime I experienced, I would receive a month's credit toward my bill.
That was great, until they used it as an excuse to be down for a couple more days.
And now, I'm in Maryland with my girls, visiting family and friends, so don't expect to hear too much outta me until August. Assuming by then I still remember I have a blog!
Posted by me at 8:25 PM | Comments (0)
July 10, 2007
One day I'll be arrested for the thoughts I have about Verizon install techs
Well, my host has apparently been down for at least a full day, maybe longer. It was hard to tell with my own spotty internet access. Both problems appear to be solved, though!
Posted by me at 6:48 PM | Comments (0)
April 10, 2007
I really need to RTFM
I haven't gotten any comments since I did the upgrade.
At least, I thought I hadn't gotten any. As it turns out, they just aren't getting emailed to me any more. I discovered this tonight, when I tried a test comment, just to be sure.
There were 20 or so comments, two-thirds of which were spam. There were some very nice comments though, and I feel bad that I didn't see them and respond in some way.
I know I keep saying this, but I *will* get better, I swear.
And thank you!
Posted by me at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2007
On the road again
I've had a hard time coming up with anything to write this week. Which is odd, since we aren't doing anything more or less exciting than usual around here.
On Saturday, Jamie turns 4. Four! I already can barely remember her as a baby. Sometimes, I go back and look at pictures of her from a couple years ago, and she looks familiar, but I can't remember her at two. Everyone says it, but it's amazingly true. The days last forever, but the years go so fast.
Saturday, we'll be driving down to Houston for Jamie's party. This will be Jamie's first birthday party with actual kids attending, instead of just family. I was upset when we moved up here that once again, Jamie wouldn't have any friends attending. I'm sure she's thrilled with cake, no matter who is there to share it, but I'm starting to feel like Worst Mother in the World for not being able to give her what *I* think is a proper party.
Sunday, we return to Dallas, and then Monday morning, the girls and I are off to Maryland for a week. I'll be back Tuesday, and Wednesday, Rex and I head to Cozumel for a couple days.
In other words, don't expect to hear much outta me in the next two weeks :)
Posted by me at 9:41 PM | Comments (0)
March 12, 2007
It worked!
After weeks of procrastination, lots of confusion and a lot of stupid and ignorant mistakes, Movable Type has been upgraded. It was stupidly simple, in the end.
I still haven't figured out how to authenticate commenters, and the banner graphic is still fucked, but I'll have to look into that later. Right now, I have to take a picture of the beautiful pear tree flower off our balcony and then shove the kids out the door for Tae Kwon Do.
Posted by me at 3:44 PM | Comments (0)
March 10, 2007
Comments, and I still haven't upgraded
I've been really bad about replying to comments here, for a couple reasons. First of all, I have to comment on my own blog the same way you do. Supposedly, you can register commenters, but I have yet to figure out how. Second, while my internet connection is mediocre, my connection to my blog is pathetic. I don't know exactly why, sometimes are better than others, and it runs on a server with a lot of my other stuff that runs fine, so I'm confuzzled. Third, I suck. Oh, and fourth, I get the comments in email, and then have to approve them before they post. I was actually sorting out the spam, but totally forgetting to approve the real comments. Duh!
I still haven't done the upgrade I planned for a month or so ago. Now, it's been so long that I have to redo my backups, which means I have to figure out how to *do* the backups again. Mommy brain sucks. I have hopes that the significantly newer version will improve commenting, well, significantly.
And in case you haven't noticed, I'm not just bad about comments on my own blog, I'm not very good at commenting on others sites, either. Some of it has to do with not having anything useful to add, some shyness, and some timing. It's much easier to get blogs read than to manage to actually type out a coherent response.
At least I'm consistent, right?
Posted by me at 9:27 PM | Comments (0)
January 26, 2007
Procrastinating AND uneducated
I haven't done the upgrade yet. I can't find any documention for the right version that contains any helpful information. I haven't googled for it yet to see if there's anything out there that might be helpful, and I haven't remembered/found what I did for the original install.
It will have to wait.
This afternoon, I'm going to Houston (by myself!) to spend one last night in my beautiful, beautiful house and go out with the soulmate neighbor. Tomorrow, I need to pick up a birthday gift for soulmate's daughter, then go to my SIL's baby shower. Immediately following, I'm going to kick back and relax at the birthday party, and then I head home, where my dad may or may not be waiting for me, depending on how late I get back.
I'm excited. This is the first time in a while that I've had something to anticipate, something that's not about me, but also isn't about my kids. And totally benefits me. I can't wait to kick back with the soulmate and a glass of wine tonight. I can't wait to talk, about my life and hers, neighborhood gossip and tv shows, and maybe, just maybe, our kids.
It's been a while since I've been excited.
Posted by me at 3:08 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2007
I'll be crossing everything
It took me about a dozen tries, but I finally managed to download the right version of MT. Next up, the installation. I'm not sure if there are two versions of the software, new install and upgrade, so I'm concerned about all my old posts. I've backed up the actual posts, but not the pictures. All of the pictures I've posted are somewhere on my hard drive, but it would take for freaking ever to get them put back in the file structure on the server.
Let's hope I don't wipe myself off the face of the internet.
Posted by me at 10:16 PM | Comments (0)
January 22, 2007
Endless loop
Windows asked me to upgrade to IE 7, and stupidly I agreed. Since then, I've had a little issue with the way the site renders. The logo graphic at the top is now mostly under the top blog entry.
This is the point where I figured I should get off my ass and upgrade my version of Movable Type. I haven't done an upgrade since I installed it, back in August of '05, so it's not like I'm not due. Lucky for me, a new version was just released a couple days ago. I click on the nifty link on my login screen, then click where it tells me to log in to Typekey to download. It took me a few tries to get logged in, and then I got passed to a page that asked if I wanted to log in and share my email address, or not. I chose yes and clicked to continue and it took me back to a screen that said click here to log in. I click the link, and I'm back to choosing to share my email address, or not.
So. I'm not sure where to go from here. My hope is that it really is an MT issue, and they fix it soon. For now, the world will just have to live without my rockin' logo.
Posted by me at 9:27 PM | Comments (2)
January 12, 2007
Now I feel bad
I was deleting a bunch of spam comments and I found 3 (THREE!) legitimate comments mixed in among the bad grammar and drug links. I'm sorry! I look through each comment when it comes into my email and approve the good ones as I see them, and then delete all the unapproved ones all at once when I get a pile of them. I have no idea how I missed you!
Posted by me at 2:35 PM | Comments (0)