Hi folks...here are some updates on our open
issues:
*
Authentication:
The
authentication fix seems to have worked, so it looks like the Int'l
folks have their blue owner buttons back. However, this is still
subject to our favorite bug...
* Inability
to Save Entries:
As mentioned, the Spider
Ops
cleared the server caches, which should have fixed things, but each
time the tech folks think they have the problem licked, we find out
that the fix has helped some people, but that others are still stuck
with it. Obviously, we haven't found a silver bullet yet, but the
techs
are still working on it.
* Character Sets
Not Displaying Properly:
This
one also affects International Journalers disproportionately, since they use
more accents, umlauts and other extended characters. (They're kind of funny that way.) U.S. bloggers
will
still see the problem if they use these or other characters, such as
the copyright or trademark symbol, the yen or pound sterling symbol,
etc. A possible solution was tested and failed, so the tech folks are
continuing to look into it.
* Ad
Banners:
I don't really have anything substantive to
add about this from my post
on Wednesday.
I'm sorry if this makes me unresponsive. As far as I
know and from everything I've heard, the 728x90 banner ad is staying on
all Journals.
However, we are actively
pursuing one of the suggestions you sent, that of adding a
disclaimer
below the advertisement that acknowledges that you, the blog owner,
didn't have anything to do with the ad placement and don't endorse
it.
I know many of you are already doing this on a per-entry basis or in
your blog titles or descriptions; if we are able to get it done, I
would guess that our language won't be as strong as what I've seen
around, though.
Furthermore, I know that our senior execs are
aware of your displeasure -- and this was before the story was run by
BusinessWeek's
Blogspotting -- I am glad the blog press picked it
up.
That's about it for right now. Thanks --
Joe
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35 comments:
I'd rather they be actively pursuing the thought of removing the banners from the blogs of paying customers.
I think a disclaimer is the least that should be done, thank you for all you do !
at least they are "aware" but are they really going do anything.
I am disappointed. I did your suggestion yesterday of clearing my cache and reinstalling my adapter (just so I could post). Now I am having all kinds of computer problems. For instance, my AOL@radio no longer works. Also the website I created for my husband (a Caringbridge website) who is having a bone marrow transplant was totally destroyed (totally unconfigured). I have not had time to see what else got messed up on my computer, as I am helping my husband get ready for his transplant. Anyway, I can now post, but I am disappointed that I took your suggestion. I should have left my computer alone. Now I will have to get in touch with the AOL TECH to deal with each of my problems.
Kristina
http://journals.aol.com/fisherkristina/SometimesIThink
I get ticked off every time I go into a journal and a block of space is taken up at the top of the screen... flashing, scrolling, just sitting there looking out of place. Tell the senior exes to move the suckers to the bottom or off entirely!!!!!!! I have been a loyal customer since at least 1998 and, while I dread making a change, I am seriously considering going elsewhere.
I somehow doubt the language that you have seen even touches on how Jland feels about AOL Execs. Hate to disappoint you, if you believed otherwise.
The response that you are so blase reporting isn't anything I'm surprised about.
Now IF the EXECS decided to stop hiding in the sand and STEP FORWARD and ISSUE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT, INCLUDING AN APOLOGY for being so UNCARING, UNRESPONSIVE, and NON customer service related -- As well as their thoughtlessness for their customer's feelings, and the EASE that they have IGNORED every single bloggers protest -- except to threaten the more serious of the offenders -- even if was done to lighten the mood -- MAYBE people would chill alittle. Personally I'm not too sure about that -- BUT it is better than NOTHING which is what we are getting SO FAR! and I am POSITIVE we will CONTINUE to get from the Exalted Ones.
As usual, thanks for the blah, blah, blah "pat us on the head" type of entry.
" As far as I know and from everything I've heard, the 728x90 banner ad is staying on all Journals"
Come on now.. nothing is forever... everything and anything CAN be changed. IF aol wanted to please their PAYING members they COULD and WOULD remove these ads.
nuff said.
Thanks for the updates. Can you tell me if anyone else is having problems getting past stage 2 on the aol radio. It just hangs there. I have talked to a few here in ky and oh that have that problem so is it an all around problem or do we need to try someting else. ????????
However, we are actively pursuing one of the suggestions you sent, that of adding a disclaimer below the advertisement that acknowledges that you, the blog owner, didn't have anything to do with the ad placement and don't endorse it.
"You, the blog owner..."
That's about the biggest laugh I've had all week.
~~ jennifer
Frankly Joe, I'm disappointed.
We don't want disclaimers at the bottom of the ads, we want the ads removed. Period.
Apparently, AOL is forgetting the very thing that drew us to the Journals Community to begin with, "You, the blog OWNER."
~Peachy
Apparently the blog RENTER
What really gets me, Joe, is that I pay the same amount as everyone else & I lack the service everyone else gets, all because I have a MAC. I cannot even get rid of the Pop ups! This problem where AOL caters to Window PCs is not fair. We(MACs) get far less than everyone else. Now the ads are another issue. BUT a very BIG issue.
Everytime I see something popping up or flashing I cannot continue to read.
This can create a problem with people with ADD. I have had alot of problems lately with AOL & being booted off/AOL suddenly quits or unable to get a connection with AOL. These issues have been going on for a few weeks.
~Marie
http://photographsmemoriestoo.blogspot.com/
"....you, the blog owner..."
You can't win. Sorry. I just spit up at that one.
TONIGHT'S ENTRY
I have been imagining the conversations in the home office.
But somehow I'm having trouble imagining any that make sense.
I'm guessing that sentences being repeated over and over include the following, in no particular order:
"I told you so."
"What is WRONG with these people? These are silly little blogs for C-sake."
"This will all blow over in another week. Most of them won't leave and those that do will come back when they see how long it takes to transfer their lives to another isp."
"Look, most of them can still post. And those that can't? Who really cares one way or the other?"
"I need a drink."
I'm also wondering, in my random ADD way, what Spider Ops are.
Are those of us who can't post SPIDERS?
Why am I the only one not seeing these banner ads?? I have yet seen one on ANY aol journal.
just curious - i dont even see any on my blogs either. How come?
You are not exactly telling the truth....
http://red.blogs.aol.com/hilarysblog/Hilary's+Blog/
Hilary Duff's blog does not have advertising on it so please don't tell us that the ads are staying on "all" blogs.....
amend it to say the ads are staying on all the PAYING customer's blogs.
Every time I check this journal, I expect to see Joe's photo in the "About Me" section to be replaced by a picture of him sobbing under his desk.
Hey Oceanmrc,
I have to admire you. While AOL seems to have no clue about how to get out of a difficult situation, you have applied very creative means to address your inability to post to your own blog. Have you thought about trying to get an exec or VP job at AOL? Perhaps your humor and creativity can get them out of this muck that they apparently cannot get out of themselves, and then you would be our beloved hero!
Peace, Virginia
Candace: Interesting point; I didn't consider RED blogs, which are a completely different product from the AOL Journals product and we haven't interacted with them to date.
I apologize for any ambiguity; I'm talking only about AOL Journals, and my statement stands. Thanks. -- Joe
Oceanmrc,
Judi's not on the computer right now, but she's here in the room and she want me to say for her that you are freakin' genius!
Virginia (for Judi)
lol at NZ's comment. :-)
"Your Thoughts, Your Blog". THEIR SPACE. Which, I PAY for.
This "blog owner" wants the ads taken off, period. No disclaimer at the bottom of the banner- I already put up my own as soon as I saw them last Tuesday. Do us all a favor and ACTIVELY PURSUE the removal of the ads.
Alright. This is crazy. I'm annoyed.
How come AOL Journals isn't letting me update my blog? The little save button won't work. It shouldn't be my internet- it's working fine. AOL is being annoying. I suppose it's not their fault. I would be gratified it they would fix it, though.
I had to close my journal because I can't update either! How retarded of aol to think that everyone is leaving aol journaling becuase they oppose the ads. How about we JUST CANT POST SO WHY STAY??????
MORONS!
Ocean,
I, too, have been imagining what AOL Execs are saying about this situation and you hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I was thinking. I think it is abundantly clear that AOL has no understanding of why the ADs are offensive to us. I'm sure all of this is quite humorous to all of them. So be it. That's the kind of world we are living in, and this makes me sad, but there you are. I just want to say thanks to all the AOL Journalers I have come to know, to laugh with, to learn with, and to care about. I look forward to coming to your new house at Blogger or Live Journal. Come to my new house. I thought for a while it might just be temporary, that AOL might actually see the ADs were a terrible idea, but that is not going to happen. I will be saving my entries and making my permanent home at a place where my intellectual and creative property will not be used without my consent and to sell products I do not endorse. Really, do you think putting a disclaimer on the journals is an answer? Or that if I turn the ADs off my journal I will be satisfied? AOL is missing the whole point. Crass, crass, crass. http://theresawilliams-author.blogspot.com/
I have cleared my cache, done everything and persistently get the message that I need to DEBUG. The ONLY time I get this is when trying to make an entry to my journal. The first two days the banners appeared, I was able to make one using another browser. NOW I can no longer do that either. I Hope AOL realises that many of us are contacting the companies who are advertising and letting them know how we feel about this subject. I am surprised how interested the companies are in hearing from us.
Hi Nelle -- This is the first I've heard of a debug error -- can you take a screenshot of the error message and send it to me so I can pass it to our tech folks? I know in a previous comment you said you have DSL -- can you also tell me what version of AOL and Web browsers you've used, and what operating system you have?
(posted & mailed)
Thanks -- Joe
We, "the blog owner".... and you continue to say these things thinking we are too stupid to understand the insult....
Virginia
Virginia -- "blog owner" is a technical term; I am not trying to insult anyone. Thanks -- Joe
Here's another entry from BusinessWeek's Blogspotting from earlier today:
http://blogs.businessweek.com/mt/mt-tb.cgi/2319.1361712594
Chris
Thanks for posting Business Week's article. Very interesting.
Hugs,
Lisa
PS
Well, this whole week has been rather interesting.
you forgot this one:
* AOL still doesn't give a rat's ass about it's customers.
I've tried everything you suggested and still can't save my updates. Whimper. Sob. Etc.
Michele from Visions Inside My Mind
Happy to say my journal is finally working properly. However, I did start a blog outside AOL. Plan on maintaining both.
Lori
Joe~After 5 days of frustration about my defunct send button I am now posting again, thanks to you! Sassy
http://journals.aol.com/SassyDee50/SassysEYE
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