They get paid to do their "job" just like the weather people do. None of them know what they are doing and they get paid anyway. Why can't I get a job like that?

Hey Stuart -- some software issues are just like that: seemingly unresolvable and beyond bearably frustrating. But in the end, there's always some workaround, albeit not as elegant as one would have hoped and, perhaps, not as user-friendly.

Don't give up hope. This issue will resolve itself eventually one way or another. In the meantime, you have a loyal bunch of users who love the site you've built and who, I'm sure, are all quite sympathetic to the problems you've been up against, none of them of your making.

Cheers,
Krys

Some things just don't make sense. Thanks for trying. I hope they get their act together soon.

Dear Stuart

Sounds as if you need sleep. A lot.

If you look round posts belonging to Blotanical Members, you'll find a lot of unhappy and put out people.

This, I think, is, in the long run, possibly, POSITIVE.

First - it's increasing the sense of community.

There's a trick employers have when dealing with a difficult workforce - put them under some kind of threat which affects them all - and suddenly they gell as a team.

I think there's something of that happening here. People value the blogs of other Blotanical Members so much, they're seeking them out.

(Er . . . I'm not suggesting we're a difficult lot . . . of course not!)

The other thing is that non-Blotanical members are asking what everyone is talking about? What is Blotanical? What's going on?

Although, in the short term, the answer, clearly, involves the fact that it isn't working properly at present, it is also clear to non-members it is something we value. If it weren't valued, there'd be no reason to moan.

Is a strange way, in the long run, it's turning into an odd kind of GOOD publicity.

(Which isn't to undervalue the frustration it's causing you and everyone.)

Esther

Don't give up Stuart, though who could blame you for wanting to? Knowing you and your determination, I feel confident you'll find a way around it. Til then, no one's going anywhere. At least, I hope not! Hang in there people! :)

Oh, OK, so I guess we go back to the work around with SimpliePie(?)

@Esther - Oh, I love the way you see life Esther. Very encouraging. I'm taking my family camping for the next 5 days so sleep will definitely be on the agenda. Thanks for your lovely words and I couldn't agree more with your analysis of the situation. I just feel for those who are as equally frustrated and I'm sorry that their traffic numbers are down and they're getting dis-heartened. Hopefully this will all be sorted out very shortly.

@Dave, Krys and Nancy - thanks for your wonderful encouragement. It's always much appreciated.

Dear Stuart, I think you have fixed my picks problem, thank you very much...I see my posts and several friends have emailed me that they do, too. Does it matter if the My posts tab is empty?

Enjoy a beautiful spring weekend ;->

Gail

@Gail - no probs. The My Posts is another job for another day...sigh!