Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Comment Torment and Other Predicaments


Have you seen them??
They're 'faster than a speeding bullet'!
More powerful than a mere visit!
Able to leap from your dashboard
 to your blog without a single click!
 And if you've got copies in your inbox,
then consider yourself a lucky chick!
COMMENTS!
 They're everywhere, (supposedly),
so why haven't I seen them?


Here are the facts so far: a few weeks ago, I noticed a discrepancy between the comments in my inbox, (i.e., the ones that made it there safe and sound), and the ones on my dashboard, in 'Comments', under either 'Published', or 'Awaiting Moderation'.  Then, only last week, I discovered that some were appearing only on my blog! Chaos, I tell you! Pure madness! Many of you, I had read, were also frazzled, looking for those fickle and flighty words of others!
 

Of course, some comments also end up in Spam, which I check several times a day, both in Gmail, and Blogger. Amid all the confusion, I was suddenly struck by the scary realization that ever since I began blogging, almost three years this May, I most probably have failed to return visits, and thus, comments, to all of the considerate people whose lovely words I never saw because I was under the impression that they only showed up in Gmail! This really annoyed and upset me, since I make it a point to return every visit and comment that I receive; after all, it's only good manners. Of course, the reverse is also true; I may have left comments on your blogs that met the same awful fate, remaining invisible simply because you, too, did not know they were there, wherever 'there' happened to be at that time!


Another thing that likes to pop in and out of virtual reality is the Google Friend Connect gadget! Have you noticed? Keep a close eye on it, my friends; it's a feisty one! Case in point: yesterday, I received a very sweet email from a new reader telling me that she was looking forward to future visits, since she was now following me. When I went to the GFC gadget to click onto her ID snippet in order to follow her, too, it was nowhere in sight! It had disappeared into thin cyberspace air!


Clearly, 
it was time to put out an APB on GFC, which was MIA! And so, after a few expletives, not very ladylike phrases, I finally tracked down the culprit, which was incognito, taking cover under a new ad block programme I had recently installed, thus, I proceeded to disable its so-called protection for this page. Instantly, the gadget reappeared. I then made my way over to my new follower's blog, to carry out my mission, and guess what? Yup. Nada. Now, I know that some bloggers don't care for such a gadget, but I had a feeling that this person did, so I 'dittoed' the disabling for her blog, too, and sure enough, in the blink of an eye, 150 mini profile pics were peering out at me, until I joined them, to make a new, grand total of 151 in her GFC!

Above:
One comment that, surely,
 won't go unnoticed! 

So, my dear friends, if you have found that I have
not replied to your comments, or returned a visit
to your wonderful blogs, since I began this 
journal's journey, please accept my sincere
apology, for it was not intentional, but rather,
the handiwork of my publisher's technology!

Thanks for visiting!

All images: Google,
#1, #3, #5, from top,
composed by me 
in PicMonkey!

72 comments:

  1. Poppy, oh my goodness this hasn't happened to me doesn't mean it won't . I don't blame you for feeling mad. I dare not touch buttons or gadgets or anything I don't know without my husbands help. You maybe laughing, but it's true . I am not google or blogger savvy ... I hope you get that straightened out..... What a mess :)))))

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marissa,

      BELIEVE it or not, YOUR comments always appear exclusively in Blogger, under 'Comments Published'! Have you ever noticed that I had taken a while to get back to you, apart from today?!

      I haven't touched anything, it's nothing we do as bloggers, it's just a glitch in Google.

      Even THIS comment of yours right here, is in NOT present in my inbox! But, I'm on to it, now! Ha!

      Thanks for visiting and for your concern.

      xx

      Delete
  2. Just this past week, I had a severe meltdown with my computer, and found out that I had unwitttingly downloaded an adware program that had taken over my computer. It took all day to get it straightened out, coupled with lots of stress on my part! These things are so difficult to pinpoint and understand. I loved all your cute images, so fun! Your posts are a true joy to read, and I'm so glad I've found your blog. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      Hope all is well now. I had a similar experience two summers ago, and was without my laptop for over a week and a half, which wasn't such a bad thing, as I was forced to tackle many things around the house that I had put on the back burner, due to blogging! By the time I got my laptop back, I was over the separation anxiety, and promised myself that I would limit my time online.

      Happy Thursday!:))

      Poppy

      Delete
  3. Poppy, I believe you could even make the instructions pamphlet to a vacuum cleaner sound fascinating!

    Don't have a clue what you're talking about but you held my interest!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am LAUGHING MY HEAD OFF! (Your comment deserved all caps, and spelled out in full!)

      Love you, my friend!

      xoxo

      Delete
  4. I love your post and hope everyone reads it and takes action. You know it's been driving me crazy this week. I hope everyone understands...I think they do! Sweet hugs my friend, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  5. well i have always blithley left comments here that appear to show up on the screen just fine.
    i just assume you read all of them! no problem.
    lots of people don't respond personally to each comment on their posts.
    some get tons of them! it would take them all day to respond!
    it makes me feel a little better that google sounds just as irritating as word press!
    i have a love/hate relationship with wordpress! i think you're amazing just to tackle it on your own.
    and i LOVE your graphics! you always have such super pictures. XOXO♥ nothing to forgive! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tam, I don't think I've missed ANY of your wittiness, since your comments show up in all 3 locations - you are one well travelled blogger, my friend!;))

      XOXO

      Delete
  6. I'm confused but you are the second person saying this. I will have to take a closer look on my blog. I know that the verification came up on so many blogs that had it disabled. Thanks for warning us.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi, Poppy. That sounds confusing and frustrating. I have a problem with mine, but different. I can't respond to more than three people at a time without being blocked to my own blog that I am signed into for a period of perhaps 10 minutes, though I have not measure how long exactly. So far I haven't figured it out. I don't even have comment verification.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, Susan, being blocked from one's own blog sounds brutal! Can't help you on that one, but as far as comment verification goes, you need to activate this yourself. Go to your dashboard, then, under 'Settings', click on 'Posts and Comments'. A page will pop up where you can choose to moderate your comments. Good luck and please email me if you need further help!:))

      xx
      Poppy

      Delete
  8. I have long had a problem with writing out my comment and then clicking on publish and it doesn't publish. I often wonder how many comments I've left, but weren't seen. I try to remember to check to see if it does get published, but I don't always do that. So frustrating.
    Take care!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Cheryl,

      This used to happen to me all the time, and then one day, I noticed that my comments would disappear because I was not logged into Blogger! If you find that you write a comment, and have forgotten to sign into Blogger prior to this, simply copy what you have written, clear the comment box, go sign in to Blogger, return to the comment box, paste your comment, and hit publish! I've never lost a comment since!

      Good luck!
      Poppy

      Delete
    2. Just noticed that YOUR comment is one that did not show up in my Gmail inbox, which probably means that you were not signed into Google when you wrote this, as your comment does appear in Blogger. See what I mean?!

      Delete
  9. Oh Poppy, I have gotten so frustrated with comments and replies and Friend Connect and blog following, just to name a few. . .;-) I answer all comments and the answer always shows up in my inbox not the person to whom I am commenting and just recently tried to 'friend' two new followers and ended up somewhere in the Twilight Zone only to find I did start following them. Same holds true for me, I apologize if I have inadvertently ignored (or not ignored) any of my blogosphere friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jackie,

      You are such a sweet blogger to reply to all your comments on your beautiful blog, and it's a shame that sometimes those wonderful comments are never seen because your readers forget to check, and let's face it, if you're like me, then blogging takes work - composing, editing, photographing, editing, writing, editing, posting, editing, replying, emailing, visiting....it can be time consuming, to say the least!

      Here's what I do: I reply to the comment here, (just as I am doing right now), and it automatically shows up in my inbox, as sent by 'me', upon publishing. Then, I copy and paste this into a reply/email, and that way, my reader is guaranteed to read it, just as I am doing....NOW!

      Check your inbox, my friend!

      xx

      Poppy

      Delete
  10. Poppy,
    You have a fascinating way of taking a technolgy topic and turning it into a creative expedition of intrigue and "who done its." Your pic monkey graphics are delightful characters with interesting personalities! I'm wondering if my comments and replies are working according to hoyle...have the culprits been apprehended or do we all need to stay on high alert.
    We all know how gracious you are dear, Poppy so no apologies needed!

    Warm Hugs Dear Poppy!
    Jemma

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sweet Jemma,

      You writer's voice always brings a smile to my face, and I imagine your real one to be very soft and gentle and cheery; thank you for your kind words! I must admit, I've always been intrigued by detective work, and as the oldest of the female cousins in my big, extended, Greek family, I remember auditioning the girls for my 'production' of Charlie's Angels, which was always improvised, and set in the neighbourhood, with our brothers cast as the bad guys!

      XOXO
      Poppy

      Delete
  11. Thanks, Poppy. I know I fail miserably with commenting and return visits. Some days are so busy there's no time to even eat, I swear. : - ) But, I am working on improving it.

    This is valuable info and so cute and cleverly done. YOU are cute and clever, to be sure. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my friend! YOU are TOO sweet!!

      We can only do our best; after all, blogging is supposed to be FUN, right?!

      Hugs,
      Poppy

      Delete
  12. Since I'm on Wordpress, I have little clue what you're talking about, but Dewena's right...you could make the phone book sound interesting and I agree with most everyone else...your graphics are always so much fun! I wanna be just like you when I grow up :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Doreen, even if you DID decide to 'grow up', you would eternally be a gorgeous glamour girl!

      Thanks for the sweet words!

      XOXO
      Poppy

      Delete
  13. No need for forgiveness....I'm on Wordpress too so don't understand. Loved the graphics. I wish I got as many friendly comments as I get Spam.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Cathy.

      Have you tried filtering the spam comments that come into your inbox? There should be a function that allows you to do this in WordPress, as there is in Gmail. Have a look!:))

      Poppy

      Delete
  14. I am happy to say you always make my day with your island photos Poppy!
    Comments are always nice aren't they? One a day makes the blues go away!
    Blessings to you and yours,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Noelle, how sweet!

      Yes, comments are a blessing, indeed, and when they spark little dialogues, they are a lovely treat!

      Hugs,
      Poppy

      Delete
    2. Btw, yours is the second comment, so far, that did not make it to my inbox! Wonder why!

      Delete
  15. It's all a mystery to me Poppy. I try to visit bloggers that I follow but don't always respond to every comment. Oddly enough, your posts don't always show up on my reading list. I'll click on your name in a comment on someone else's blog and find one or two posts about which there's been no notification. All a mystery!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. It's all Greek to me, Poppy (pun intended)! Blogging posts and comments are a real mystery at times. I'm not fond of the Google Plus or Google Friend Connect stuff - they always want to connect everything that I do and I prefer keeping things separated.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I keep meaning to tell you what a jolt of happiness I get when I open your blog and see the lovely green and yellow. It's unique and brightens me up immensely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Lorrie, how lovely!

      I also find Google Plus perplexing, really; still haven't got a handle on how it all works!

      Hope you are having a bright and sunny day!

      Poppy

      Delete
  18. We are all slaves to technology and blogger has indeed gone spinning recently. But you made me laugh! That is a good start to the day.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Amalia!

      If we can laugh, at least, while spinning, the journey would surely be more joyful!

      xo
      Poppy

      Delete
  19. You made a real funpost about the google mysteries. The problem of this technology is solving problems take so much time, before I know I'm again hours on the computer and I want to go outside, the sun is shining.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janneke. You are so right; the sun lights up or day like no computer screen can ever do!:))

      Hope you are having a wonderfully sunny Thursday!

      Poppy

      Delete
  20. Hello Poppy,

    Well......you may or may not see this....or receive this.....but, if we should appear in some dark and dingy basement of Blogland then we did come and comment!

    We have long since given up trying to decipher the comings or, mainly, goings, of Blogger. It seems to operate in a parallel universe where nothing is really as it seems. Perhaps it is so of blogs.......are we really here.....or there.....are Followers figments of our imaginations.....why do some pictures never load......why is the Blogger help line permanently silent.........

    We hope you are well and the sun is shining.......wherever you are!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Dear Poppy, that would have been so annoying. You are so patient my dear friend, sometimes I get exhausted with technology/social media but that would be too hard as I have made so many friends over the virtual world. Enjoy your week dear Poppy.

    Hugs,
    Aida

    ReplyDelete
  22. I recently noticed a comment was made on my blog but it did not appear in my email notifications. That has never happened before so I'm keeping an eye out for it to see if it happens again. I'm sure no one expects a reply for each comment made but it if you are set up to be notified it sure seems like the comments should appear in your email as requested. Google/Blogger has its glitches but overall it seems to work well. Either way Poppy your are loved and your posts are always a treat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, sweetie! I do feel loved by all of my wonderfully kind and talented readers...like you!

      Hugs,
      Poppy

      Delete
  23. Hello Poppy, you do have a fun way of posting your thoughts.. Both Blogger and Google Friend Connect have been a pain lately.. I can refresh and refresh and hardly ever see my friends post updating.. But, I have noticed that I have an advertising blog showing up in my reading list every couple of seconds, I could scream..I do not even remember following this blog..
    You have made me laugh which helps, have a happy day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Eileen!

      Glad you got a chuckle to lighten the frustration! Have just been to your blog, and read about that intruder in your reading list! Well, this is a first; that's yet to happen to me. Happy you were able to zap it away!:))

      Happy Thursday!

      Poppy

      Delete
  24. I see most comments on my inbox and very few only appear waiting for moderation on the blog. So I see all of them, I think! I try to answer all comments but most are still no-reply bloggers so I can't answer them. It is frustrating. I was a no-reply blogger for a long time and I know how it is not to be answered on your comments. As for the other thing, the Google Friend Connect it is always on my side bar but I at times don't see myself in it!!LOL!AriadnefromGreece!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I moderate all of my comments and then publish them through the dashboard. I then reply when I can - if I have time and if they are replyable bloggers - through my gmail. I have noticed as well that some comments are appearing in the dashboard and not in gmail, but only over the last couple of weeks. So don't beat yourself up, I am sure that you have not been missing loads of comments! I try and visit everyone who leaves me a comment and I leave them a comment, rather than just replying to them. Does that make sense? I hope so. So if you don't get a reply from me that is why, but I do always try and drop by here! I hope you get it all worked out though so that you are happy with it. xx

    ReplyDelete
  26. Well, I will start looking now because I am sure there are issues.

    Technology is tricky and sneaky. On Instagram, I will be browsing through pics of those I follow and all of a sudden I will see something questionable. I will click on it and it says I am following it, but there is no way I would have followed that person. I just unfollow, but it is weird.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Very timely post for me, Poppy, very timely indeed! My WordPress site was hacked and disappeared. Thankfully, I had backed up my stuff, for a fee mind you, so it's still glitchy but it's there. I am hoping to come back to Blogger as soon as I can arrange it! Like they say, the devil you know...Thanks for sharing, it's good to hear that I am not alone!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kim! I'm so sorry to hear about this! Thank goodness you had backed up everything - can you imagine the opposite? I have heard of blogs just disappearing into thin air; it's crazy!! When you come back to Blogger, we'll be here, ready and waiting with a smile, just as when you left the 'hood for WordPress, and followed you there.

      xx
      Poppy

      Delete
  28. I have the same problem Poppy, not all my comments show up in my emails, so sometimes it's a shock to see them under 'awaiting moderation', but the annoying thing is not being able to reply easily. It's happened quite a lot but with only about three people so I find an old email and reply to that. The GFC is odd too and sometimes I comment, then I'm asked for my profile and try to publish, then my comment gets deleted so I have to start again. It's all very frustrating, but then one needs to persevere if one wants to visit interesting and funny bloggers like you !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my friend! I'm so glad we've connected via our blogs, too! I have a very good friend who lives in West Sussex, Rustington, to be exact, and I've told her to come visit you at the cafe, at my referral! She is to use the code words: 'Poppy sent me'!

      I have copied and pasted my reply to Cheryl, above, about the problem you are experiencing with commenting on blogs, but am adding that it goes for Google, as well, since they are now connected!:

      This used to happen to me all the time, and then one day, I noticed that my comments would disappear because I was not logged into Blogger! If you find that you write a comment, and have forgotten to sign into Blogger prior to this, simply copy what you have written, clear the comment box, go sign in to Blogger, return to the comment box, paste your comment, and hit publish! I've never lost a comment since!

      Good luck!

      xx
      Poppy

      Delete
  29. this is so darn confusing at times- just when you think something is figured out something else pops up - :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. You did wonderful job on this post, Poppy...vey informative, yet FUN to look at! I don't think I have ever has this issue, although a few of my follower's comments don't come to my email that used to...they only appear on my blog. I don't ever have comments waiting moderation...at least I don't think I do...how do you check that??? I am always very blessed when I see your comments in my email or appear on my blog :) I'm so glad you were able to get to the bottom of it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, my friend, ditto!

      To answer your question: In your Blogger dashboard, under 'Comments', click on 'Awaiting Moderation'. A new page will appear, and if you have any comments there you will see them. BUT, if you do, just know that it was YOU who programmed this function in the first place! Now, since you are obviously not aware of this procedure, there shouldn't be any there!

      Hope you are having a wonderful day!

      Hugs,
      Poppy

      Delete
    2. Again, similar to other comments above, just noticed that your comment has skipped my inbox, too, but shows up as 'Published', under 'Comments', in Blogger, and of course here.

      Delete
  31. So few people comment on my blog, or so I thought. Now I need to go back and look. One of my frequent commenters says she can't comment anymore, because my site keeps telling her she has to join Google+ Did I do something to cause that I wonder? Anyway, 35 comments is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  32. How do you check Spam on Blogger? Is there any place else you can see your comments besides on the main page?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Terri,

      In your Blogger dashboard, on the left, under ''Comments'', click on 'Spam'. A new page will open, and if you have any comments there, you can 'delete them forever'. To answer your second question, yes, as I said in the post, you should be able to receive comments in Blogger, on your actual blog, and in your Gmail Inbox. Have a look!

      Poppy

      Delete
  33. Dang! I just found out that my friends who do not have Google+ profiles cannot post a comment on my blog. Why, Blogger, Why???? Do you have this issue, too?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, I have never heard of anyone not being able to leave a comment on a blog who does not have a Google+ profile!

      Delete
  34. I have a few comments every now and then that never make it to my email box for whatever reason, so once in a while I check the comments on my blog. And also somedays my blogs tell me I have 0 follower... My mom usually calls me in a frenzy "you have lost your followers" she yells on the phone and I tell her not to worry, that they'll be back ;) I know blogger isn't flawless, but it's free and for that I'm grateful... I do hope people understand when sometimes I don't reply to a comment I don't receive!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Have a happy weekend Poppy! Technical thing´s I dont understand at all, blogger can be so confusing sometimes!
    Love,
    Titti

    ReplyDelete
  36. I've been having all kinds of problems with Blogger lately. Actually, some of them go back a year or more, just a headache all around. I hope we can get it sorted out soon.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Well bummer. I rarely have a glitch with blogger yet I hear about the problems all the time. If anyone were to have a problem with my blog, I'd never know about it unless someone was like "omg stacy, your blog broke down". I have noticed some of my comments don't always go through to my email which is odd but usually not a big deal because I always visit back... that is if I can find their blog!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh My Word Poppy, this is me and then some. While I do not have the good manners to reply back to the comments made on my blog, for reasons, not having to do with proper manners, as I just do not get as much time on the computer as I wish to have...I have seen comments from my side bar for Google+, which I swear and I do not swear, I never remember signing up for, and I only recently began to notice that there are comments about my posts written to me and they do not show up in my e-mails, or my moderation and I felt sick, still do, never even knew they were there. I have contacted other people whose names show up at same place and they tell me they are not even on Google +, but oh yes, there they are with the Google+ thing right there by their name and what, I have told them and nothing changes. I am NOT tech savvy and so afraid of losing everything, if I play around with settings and so I am STUCK. I do see your lovely comments though and I am always made happy by them and I do moderate them and I do publish them and wait, I better check and see if they are still there. If not, I will be back, if they are there...thank you always for your caring heart. Love and hugs~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, my dear Mary, I am very aware of your recent, (and not so recent), challenges with Blogger, as well as your frustrations with your laptop, and I sympathize with you, as I know, all to well, what all of that feels like!

      Don't worry so much about those comments that you hadn't seen, since you did manage to track them down, in the end. I remember a few months ago, when you so happily discovered a few of mine, and very promptly replied in a private email, and I thank you, since I always look forward to our correspondence!

      Hope you are well and staying warm.

      Take care my friend!

      Sending love,
      xoxo
      Poppy

      Delete
  39. Yes, I've also been having problems! My subscriber list sometimes shows 0 subscribers. And my stat counts are always off. Very frustrating. I'm thinking of switching to Wordpress. Good luck! Keep us posted. Happy Chinese New Year. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ahh... comments ... elusive, tricky and never enough. :) I'm wondering if we have lost some as well... hmmm. I am visiting from Create with Joy's Friendship Friday, for my pet pals, Stanley & Katrina. Lovely blog. I look forward to visiting again. Have a super weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Dearest Poppy, I am ever so thankful you wrote this post for I, too, have been dealing with the same issues. Just recently I noticed only a handful of my comments were making it to my Gmail while the other ones never made it to my inbox. I truly hope Google fixes this problem since I am at a loss at what to do.

    Hugs to you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  42. So it looks like we're on the same boat. I've been having this problem since the beginning of the year. Some of my readers can't get an access to my blog. I thought that it was I who made some changes (just layout) but many told me thst they've had the same prob and that it is blogger's mishap.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Oh dear, not more comment problems to worry about. :( I guess I'd better keep a closer eye on this as I always try to reply to comments and visit, as you do. Thanks for the warning, Poppy. Oh, I have noticed that sometimes I comment on someones blog and then when I go back my comment isn't there. Of course, that could be user error. Sometimes I think I forget to hit "publish". Argh. xxx ~ Nancy

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  44. Yes, I have noticed that sometimes my comments fail to give me notice. I am not sure why that is happening but I just try to catch the ones I can and hope the others forgive and visit again.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Hello Poppy, I do not respond to comments left on my blog, but I usually visit their blog and leave a comment! I think Google + is going to be a big problem with things that has connected others that never intended to be connected!
    Blessings, Roxy

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate hearing from all of you! Have a great day!