Thursday, May 27, 2021

If This Blog Disappears . . .


Hello there!

If you've been around here for any length of time, you're well aware that I'm severely technologically challenged.  That was always true but became even more so that fateful day six years ago when I was getting LindaStoll.net up and running.  

And almost deleted not one but two websites.

* sheer panic *

As a result, I've kept things very simple and have refused to tinker with the innards of Blogger ... or Feedburner, the service that sends these posts to your email inbox or reader. I've just let everything be.  I was too afraid of screwing something up.  

Honestly, I have no idea if I have one subscriber or a million or how any of this works.  It's all Greek to me.

Anyway, I'm hearing that as of July 1st, Blogger will no longer support Feedburner.  Translation - if you get these posts by email, they will probably stop coming to your inbox.

I think.

Bottom line?  If my posts stop showing up, please simply come over to LindaStoll.net and you'll find me.  Thanks for your graciousness as I figure this out.  This is the last thing I wanted to deal with as summer begins to dawn.

* sigh *

Meanwhile, if you can give me a bit of guidance, please talk with me in the Comments section.

Appreciate you, don't want to lose you!
Linda 

<<  4 Very Late Spring Things

*

checking in with
Richella & Lisa

53 comments:

  1. I think WordPress is a better tool for a blogger/website. They do a great job and are available with help any time you need it. When a graphic arts friend helped me set up my website 5 years ago, she let me know that WordPress was the very best platform and I have found that to be true even though some things changed with them I can easily get help. Not sure that helps, but that is my experience. Not sending emails out will certainly make it harder for folks to remember to check in with you as they do now. WordPress lets me know how many people follow and from what countries, etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, hi! Yes, I've heard good things about WordPress ... and I love that you have a friend who's a graphic artist. Too wonderful!

      And knowing you can get help prevents panic attacks when something goes wrong!

      Delete
  2. Felt my stomach clench as I read.
    We definitely are singing out of the same hymnal on this, and the only way I can keep blogging and not blow something up is to keep hands off the guts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for letting me know I'm not the only one, Michele. I'm a counselor and a writer, not a mechanic or techno whiz. It's ok not to know everything about everything.

      'Keep hands off the guts' is my mantra, too ...

      ;-}

      Delete
  3. I'll send you more details in a minute in an email, but I switched to Mailchimp for my RSS Feeder last month. And I *think* it's still working! :) It was fairly easy to do. I had a LOT of trepidation about it too because I've used Feedburner for so long. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lisa, your lengthy email was super helpful and gave me alot to consider. I especially appreciate you sharing your experience. I'll be in touch soon.

      You're a sweetheart!

      Delete
  4. I use Wordpress and have a man who oversees it. I am technologically- challenged. Hopefully you will be fine. I think Blogger may lose a ton of people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you're right, Bill. This could be the final straw for many writers. I'm just not up to re-learning everything at this stage of life. Maybe 30 years ago?

      ;-}

      Delete
  5. I know just enough Greek to be dangerous... but this article may help: https://support.google.com/feedburner/answer/10483501
    If you can follow the link instructions in this article and download your email subscriber list, you can then sign up with a new email subscription service and upload them to your new service. Mailchimp seems to be a favorite. I will be setting up a new service on my blog sometime this summer. Hope this helps!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. June, thanks for sending along the link! I read through it when I was doing a bit of research earlier. I've got to find me a translator to get through all the verbiage!

      :-}

      Delete
  6. Linda, so many of my blogging friends have the same issue. Most of them have received help from Linda @ https://www.lifeandlinda.com/ She designs blogs but she will do small tasks like getting your email subscribers to a different location. I think she uses Mail Chimp. I don’t know her fees, but she is really a sweetheart and you could check with her. I use WordPress.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so grateful that you've linked me up with Linda. I've checked out her site and recommendations and have sent an email her way. She looks superb and capable. Thank you, thank you, thank you for taking the stress off me today. I do believe I see light at the end of this tunnel.

      I'm grateful ...

      Delete
    2. P.S.
      I got a reply from Linda in about 15 minutes. Amazing! I'm ready to roll with her. So thankful that someone with expertise knows what to do with this.

      ;-}

      Delete
    3. I am so glad you got hooked up with Linda!

      Delete
  7. The world keeps getting stranger,
    Mailchimp, RSS feed,
    but Alpha and Omega
    are all the Greek I need.
    The Lord God is the start of all,
    and He is the end,
    and, now, as my fortunes fall,
    He's the steadfast friend
    who comforts me in dark of night,
    who laughs at my wry jokes,
    who guards my courage in the fight
    and whose love evokes
    the knowing, though dread things betide,
    I'll spend Forever by His side.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You said it perfectly, Andrew -->
      'Alpha and Omega
      are all the Greek I need.'

      Delete
  8. I use Mailchimp, Linda. It's not super easy to set up for the technologically-challenged. But like others have said above, having someone do that for you, might be the best way to go. Then all you need to do is learn how to maintain it--a much easier task. Of course, it's free up to, I believe, 2000 subscribers. After that, you have to pay for them to send out emails. I hope you find the best solution for your needs! Hugs from afar!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Beth, yep, you know me well enough to know what I need ... 'having someone do that for you, might be the best way to go.'

      Ain't that the truth!

      Hope all is well with you ...

      Delete
  9. I don't know if I want to even bother with a subscription list since it international anti-spam laws require an mailing address at the end of every email. That means my physical address will be visible to complete strangers. I checked out the price for P.O. boxes but they ate too expensive for a service I will never use. Sigh! I'm too technology challenged for this nonsense!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hang in with me, Regina. Maybe just a street address without a number?

      Delete
    2. I just tried that and I think it worked. I need to finish up my mailchimp account. Or at least try.lol

      Delete
    3. Good for you!!!! Keep me posted ...

      Delete
  10. Tech IS the worse. Hang in there!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're right, Jean ... tech IS the pits. But the blogging community? Five star!

      Delete
  11. I'm in the same pickle, Linda! I've been contacted by a company called Follow It, but haven't pursued switching to that. Just too much going on with Mom at the moment. When I do try it out, if it works, I'll let you know how to use it.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear what you're saying, Martha. Nothing else matters when our family needs us in a crisis. And that's as it should be.

      Praying for peace, for serenity, for healing.

      Delete
  12. I'm so sorry you have this problem, Linda. I would be panicked, too. I'm on Wordpress like some others here and I'm very happy with them. I'm glad Pam sent you to Life and Linda. I checked it out and bookmarked it in case I ever have problems! Love and blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for another thumbs up for Wordpress! I'm guessing that sooner or later I'll be heading there. Meanwhile, I started fooling around in Feedburner and might have lost my feed completely!

      Whatever ...

      Delete
  13. Ugh! I hate tech issues. Sorry you have to deal with this, but it sounds like you are finding help right here on your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Linda, thanks to Pam and the mention. I am happy to help you with the transition to Mailchimp. Blogger has many benefits and the best part it is free and so is Mailchimp for up to 2,000 subscribers. There are lots of professional Bloggers using Blogger who make 6 figures and have their own tv show.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda, I know you're hard at work trying to repair the mess I made today on Feedburner. Thank you!

      Well, I don't think I'll be making six figures or having a TV show, but I've been with Blogger since 2008 and this blog is an intricate part of who I am so ... I'll keep on keeping on!

      Delete
  15. I use Feedburner too, but my little blog doesn't have many e-mail followers. So for me, it's not worth the aggravation of trying to figure out how to switch to a different e-mail subscription service. But I'm glad to see in the comments that you found someone who's techy and can help you out!

    Thanks for the visit! And yes, I will be sharing iced teas as the weather warms up!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sure could use a glass of very cold iced tea right about now!

      ;-}

      Delete
  16. Thank you for sharing your angst about this loss of Feedburner. I've ignored it until now, and your post is making me realize perhaps I need to do something about it. I saw one of your readers mention Linda and I may have to ask for her help as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes it's easier to ignore things, yes!

      Please keep me posted on how this unfolds for you, Marilyn ...

      Delete
  17. Migrate your website to WordPress

    ReplyDelete
  18. Linda, I think your comment section is my favorite out of all the blogs I read. Today's post is a good example of why ... so many encouraging, helpful thoughts and suggestions. I'm glad you found someone to help and I hope you get the thing all figured out, sooner rather than later!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh Lois, you have no idea what that means to me. The conversations following the posts are front and center. My heart's desire is that people will be heard, validated, encouraged, and feel a sense of community in which they're a vital part. I'm grateful for your generous, kind words.

      Talk about encouragement ...

      ;-}

      Delete
  19. Linda,
    I'm technically challenged, but WordPress works for me. Heather mentioned in her 5/14 email that she used someone off Fiverr for some WP assistance. I ended up hiring a guy from Fiverr to fix it, and I'm so glad I did.
    That's my tip for today. If you have issues on your website, don't stress. Save yourself some time, and hire atiqsamtia. Don't let the name stop you, he is fabulous and fixes website issues for five bucks. Seriously. You can find his gig here: https://www.fiverr.com/share/RzE32V

    And Heather and Valerie mentioned switching to MailPoet (inside WordPress) from another service. I'm switching from MailChimp to MailPoet this weekend and the above person is assisting me.

    MailChimp use to be easy to use (my children's recommendation), but they have changed a lot of things which make it difficult to use...I've tried for eight months, but it was challenging. I've heart that MailPoet is easy to use and I hope that it is true.

    May what seems overwhelming in the moment, turn into a blessing for you and your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good morning, Lisa! Thank you for your encouraging words and helpful guidance!

      Delete
  20. Hi Linda, thanks for visiting me at Marmelade Gypsy.

    I have the same tech issues. I contacted Linda from lifeandlinda.com and paid her to convert me to mail chimp. It wasn't much and it was worth it not to lose the email subscribers. If you go to her site and look in her back posts (I think page 2, maybe 3 now) she has how-to convert to mailchimp instructions. It is free. I hired her to do it because I wanted a new banner design too and thought I'd do it all at once but her instructions seemed quite clear. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeanie, thanks for sharing your experience! Linda has been working on the site for the last few days. I'm so happy with what's emerging!

      ;-}

      Delete
  21. Given my less-than-stellar computer skills, my dear son-in-law set me up on Wordpress when I started blogging eight years ago. WP recently changed the way users format and edit their uploaded posts before publishing, but I was able to figure it out with minimal gnashing of teeth. I feel your pain, Linda. Sure wish you didn't have to deal with the hassle that Blogger and Feedburner are creating. I'll pray that God rectifies this frustrating situation quickly and easily!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good morning Nancy! Everybody needs a technological wizard in their family ... or two!

      And 'minimal gnashing of teeth' made me LOL ...

      :-}

      Delete
  22. Γιατί είμαστε πάντα Έλληνες;

    Τι γίνεται με το Double Dutch;

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  23. If you follow lifeandlinda.com you may have seen her excellent how-to post on converting your feedburner list to mailchimp. Being technologically challenged, as you say you are, I decided to just hire you and have her do the transfer. She was magnificent and it's working like a charm. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did the same, Jeanie. Relief, gratitude, peace ... and anticipation of this space's next season!

      Delete
  24. After 12 years of blogging, I finally found someone I trusted to create a website for me - and, except for a few glitches here and there, it has worked smoothly. Before I did that I was on the free wordpress - but there were something things I had been eager to do forever and switched. At least I have training wheels for when I have questions when things change. I am not Techie - I am As Needed! LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Training wheels.

      You make me smile Maryleigh!

      I'm still trying to get on my tricycle.

      ;-}

      Delete
  25. Oh no! I am technologically challenged too. Even though I have a very simple blog on WordPress, I don't fiddle with it because I am afraid to mess things up. My son helped me set up the blog initially. He has a lot of patience. Good luck with the technology! :)

    ReplyDelete