Recently I noticed an issue that can occur with the Wordpress blog software. I’m sure others have encountered it too. And I believe I have a simple and direct answer for the problem.

If you use the wordpress program to run your blog, you may have encountered the problem where you go to modify a post and instead of seeing anything you merely get a blank screen. There is no information in the title and post boxes, and you cannot add or change anything in them. This can be quite frustrating. Errors in picture files, typos, or just information you wanted changed is unavailable. I can think of little that would aggravate a blogger more.

The solution can be resolved without a lot of difficulty, or any real technical expertise. If you look at the address bar of the page you will note something like:

http://yoursite.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=000 or
http://www.yoursite.com/wp-admin/post.php?action=edit&post=000

The issue is in which configuration you have set the blog for. To resolve the issue on a case by case basis, simply add or remove the www. prefix. The addition or removal of that portion of the web address and refreshing the page via F5 should make the post appear, and allow modification. That should be it. It’s really simple, but it took 3 bloggers, each with years of experience quite some time to figure out where the error was coming from.

In fact the source of the error seems to come from an option implemented to improve the SEO of the blogs affected. In the Options section under the Wordpress and Blog address (url) you have the ability to modify the address. If you chose to modify only one of the addresses such that it includes the www. prefix you can encounter the above blank screen issue.

The value of adding the www. prefix is debatable. Some find it useful, some not. I feel it is useful in SEO (search engine optimization) and in common usage by internet users. Not everyone will use it. If you do, and only use it for one of the above mentioned address options, you probably will encounter the above issue. To fully resolve the issue, either convert both addresses to include or exclude the www. prefix.

It’s a simple fix, but sometimes it’s just that easy. If you found this useful, please add this to your Digg or Stumbleupon or other lists. Please add you comments as well.

If I really saved you some trouble, time and money you can even donate a buck or 2, if you like. You can donate via my PayPal donation button seen at the top right of the sidebar. Don’t kill me about the donation. It’s voluntary and it cost money to provide the blog, contests and other items you find here.

Michael Vass is also a contributing author to the 1800blogger family of blogs.

Labels: 1800blogger.com, wordpress error, wordpress fix

Some of you may be aware that in addition to my own blogs, I also write to and for several other blogs. A few of those blogs are owned by a friend and colleague of mine. While our opinions differ on what exactly to do about the war in Iraq we do agree about Moveon.org. As such I will repost his comments (any emphasis made is my own) about the article Moveon had in the New York Times. You can also find this post at 1800blogger.com:


The beautiful thing about blogging is that eliminates the saying, “It’s not worth the paper it’s printed on.” Hopefully, you hold this blog post worthy enough for your righteous asses to read it.

People always ask me whether I’m liberal or conservative and I always pause before I answer. Then I reply, “I’m not sure, it depends on the topic.” I answer that way because that’s how I feel. The one thing that I truly do believe in is that I need to respect some things in life, whether it’s a person or a religion because it’s just the right thing to do. Generals, religious views, old ladies, old men, clergymen …….. just to name a few.

Think about a General’s life. For as long as they can remember, they pledged allegiance to The Flag of the United States of America. It’s a calling - the same calling experienced by a rabbi or a priest. I really believe that. You make a decision to pursue a position in life not based on economic gain or most other material things but just because its something that you feel you should be doing. For 20 or 30 years, you give everything to this country not to get the title of General. In fact, most ranks in the military come as a by-product of exemplary dedication and hard work. And after you give everything you have for 20 or 30 years, you are awarded the distinction of being called General. I would guarantee you this. Some General sometime over the past 200 years gave their life so you could do what you’re doing today. Personally, I disagree with the war. In life, a smart man cuts his losses and a foolish man stays the course. In 2008, I will have the opportunity to vote and probably vote against any Republican who doesn’t have a plan to end this war because a smart man cuts his losses. This may be the good fight but it’s not the right fight.

Then, I come to your ad in the New York Times. Although, you probably believe in your cause, I often wonder who funds causes like this. Well, I know the answer. People like George Soros and the people who have an agenda. There are millions of people dying in this world and we have diseases such as aids, cancer, heart disease and diabetes killing millions, and your organization made a decision to pay for and display this ad in the New York Times.

General Petraeus or General Betray Us.

So what you did is that little boy who had a calling so many years ago that your work and dedication to our freedom was worth the ad in The New York Times.

One year ago, I contacted a father who lost his 2 boys in 9/11. One was a fireman, one was a policeman. He had no other children. When I saw your ad, I thought of that man. Before running another ad like that, why don’t you think of him too?

For all the people that I personally knew who perished on September 11, 2001, this company, this blog and the World will never forget. Neither should you MoveOn.org.

So allow me to apologize for you.

Dear General Petraeus:

We’re sorry.

Respectfully,

Our former righteous ass

Labels: 1800blogger.com, General Petraeus, moveon.org, New York Times, September 11 2001