As you can see I got my sidebars back and feeling better. Lots of work still to be done to correct some code errors that Internet Explorer does not like.
I give special thanks to two awesome baby boomer blog doctors.Heidi Caswell of Connect Simply. Also Toolie of PC Power Tips.
Ok, let’s review my lessons that I learned.
1. When you cut and paste text from Microsoft Word please put it in Notepad to strip the funky code that comes with it. All the formating, etc.
Now, I know that. I teach that. But there are a few times in the super rush to nowhere I took foolish, I mean foolish chances. Not good. Do not do it.
2. Use the validation tool that is available at http://validator.w3.org
Put your url in the space and it will bring up all the errors and warnings about your site. I wil be honest with you I found it exciting and frustrating at the same time. I am still reviewing it to see where there is code that needs correcting.
3. Check your theme. Sometimes there are errors with your theme so always have some back up themes to switch to see if the problem gets corrected.
4. Try deactivating your plugins if that resolves the problem then reactivate each plugin one at a time.
5. Check all your widgets. Why? because sometimes there is some incorrect code hiding out. Well, code I placed there. I recalled that the last thing I did befere the my sidebars disappeared was to put code in a widget. I took it out but that did not solve the problem. It seems it was the tipping point for the breakdown of the site.
7. Ask for help.
8. Go to bed if you are tired, pray about it and go to sleep. Work on it fresh the next day.
9. If you know Html, check the code from all videos you put into your post. Some things were wrong with mine that needed correcting.
10. After you add a theme or plug in check it against the validator tool.
11. Check the forums to see if someone has had the same problem.
12. Ask your host to restore your site to where it was prior to the problem. My host took time and did this for me.
13. Don’t give up blogging.
14. Hug your husband or wife or somebody to make you feel better.
There will probably be more stuff to learn. But for now I am recording it here so I just won’t forget to remember.
You know how much happier we’d all be in everyone quit using IE?
In newer versions of wordpress where you are creating and editing posts, there is a button called kitchen sink. Click on it. Pops up new buttons, especially cool the undo and redo buttons. Also has buttons to paste as plain text, paste from word, and remove formating.
Firefox is great, 2 of my favorite tools are Webdeveloper and Firebug. You can read more at http://www.connectsimply.com/blog/firefox-extensions/.
Rosie, I especially like tips 8 and 14. Anyone can do those.
These are all great ideas for coping with blogs that throw tantrums; I’ve had my share. Thanks also for publishing the URL to the validation tool — it’s a great idea to run all your pages (blogs and websites) through that tool. Some HTML editors also include a validation tool for your convenience.
Good job!
Toolie
Thanks my dynamic duo!!!!
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Back up, back up, back up.
Looks like I need to do some spring cleanup too.
Thx
As always, your tips are right on!
Sorry you had to go through the struggle and frustration of getting your sidebars back, but I do appreciate you sharing your lessons learned with us, your readers. So much of this stuff is beyond me so I doubly appreciate always getting solid advice from you. Thanks!
Actually, Eileen, it added to the growth-A wee bit wiser
Rosie,
I’ve been following the “sidebar saga” and am so happy to see they are back! Yes, Heidi C. is a dear, she has helped me tremendously as well.
As for taking “foolish, I mean foolish chances”, sometimes the lessons that make the most lasting impressions come from what we learn when we do take those chances and things get “messed up”…take it from me, I’ve taken my share of chances and continue to learn my share of lessons 🙂
It is the way of the baby boomer
Thank you for sharing your information! I love reading your blogs!
I took my computer to my pc doc. He loaded an anti-vrus program which is actually made for corporations and it is STRONG. Within the blogosphere there will be some sites we cannot trust. That is unfortunate but not the norm. The larger blogging grows, the more protection we need. It’s a good investment to get a strong program. Bloggers unite! Have a good anti-virus program. Wishing all of you the best….
Cool, which one did they recc?