Yesterday I woke up to see that my lovely stats counter had vanished. Not only that, but a big white square with the word ‘write’ had appeared and also a bell with a little red dot on it. AAAAAAAAAAAAAGH
I miss my friendly little stats counter. Here’s why:
- As I have my WP pages pinned to my browser, it would be the first thing I looked at whenever I started my computer up.
- After a post you could see the activity immediately without having to refresh your page or go to the stats page. This was actually one of the more enjoyable things about WP just after you have just posted something. If people liked your post, it would be a great feeling to see your stats climbing.
- You could click on it and your detailed stats page would instantly open on a separate link. Yes, there’s still a drop down menu from the first icon on the left of the dashboard, but for me it doesn’t open it in a separate link.
I immediately got on to the help desk who said there was no way that this could be undone! Rot! Of course it can. He also said that things like this happen to him all the time and it doesn’t bother him. How nice! The reason for this awesomely user-friendly tool being removed is that this is the direction we are going now, aiming at users with mobile phones and tablets. Well that’s all well and good, but many of us still do use our computers right? The guy on the help desk also said that there was no official way of complaining but he would pass on my comments. Yeh right. ‘Course you will mate!
I also resent people changing things without notification. I mean if you buy something would you be happy if someone changed it at a later date without asking? You want what it says on the tin after all.
If anyone else is as miffed as I am then please like, comment and share. I absolutely don’t believe that they can’t undo this crap intrusion into our WordPress world. I’ve never done a petition before but here it is. Seeing as there is no form of complaints then maybe this can go onto the forum if there is enough of a response.
BTW: If you drop by I won’t know as my stats counter has been removed.
Be lucky. Be naughty!
Categories: Writing
Just Turn Left 
Hmmm…we did not have this feature on ours before. Instead we use the Flag counter. Much fun watching the nunmber of flags increase as readers from all over the world touch our blog!
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Hiya Mel & Suan > Flag counter? What does it look like? Is it in roughly the same place as the old stats counter? Maybe you could describe it a bit?
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No, its not a WP plugin or feature. We pick up one here:
http://s11.flagcounter.com/
Then pasted it into a text widget.
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Oh that’s really interesting. Will deffo have a look at that. Thanks for the info Mel & Suan. Nice one on that 🙂
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no worries! Glad to have helped!
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Now that’s odd. I have no counter on your page, but I do on mine. For now. I can probably live without it…though I agree, it would be nice to be asked as these ‘free’ sites still cost and are all busy generating revenue for WP. I have written a number of these posts, venting vituperatively… all to no avail. I use the PC too and find a lot of the improvements actually much slower and less user friendly than the old set up.
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Hiya Sue > I pay through the nose for my ‘premium’ site so they shouldnt be allowed to change it. It seems some people never had a counter or have a variation. Still its a good way of venting I suppose. The guy on the help desk said there were loads of people complaining about it. Thanks for your support mate 🙂
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I ended up going ‘premium’ too when they quietly removed the cheaper, ad free options and squeezed me on photo storage. Which is nice. It means we are both paying and doing the work to make money for them… and still they alter stuff without a by-your-leave.
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I think its a bit much that there is no form of complaints line. The help desk person just shrugged his shoulders. I know that FB and Twitter similarly leave you hanging out to dry
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They have the power… we just have words and wallets.
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They said they couldnt change it back. Very high-tech LOL
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That seems to be the default response.
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Ooooo I like that term 🙂
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🙂
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i have never had a counter, i have always had a LONG empty space between ‘READER” and “WRITE”. but I suppose this could be because I have a very basic theme, which suits me when my posts are all written.
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Hiya Glenys > I guess we get used to anything but I must say that without the stats counter it looks pants 🙂 LOL Its good to get some feedback from people with different blogs though. Nice one on that 🙂
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To some extent it probably depends on what you are wanting out of your blog, as well. I am not trying to make a big career out of my writing, it is more a hobby.
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Its more of an OCD thing for me. I am hypersensitive when it comes to change and balance. Routine is hugely important also and if something is changed suddenly its a nightmare for me. Also it was a damned useful tool > Really enjoyed writing the post as well though ha ha
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Well I hope they get themselves sorted out for you.
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Miracles do happen but I doubt it mate. I do miss my stats counter though ;(
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God luck !
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I have a stats page with a chart and that is where I go to read and answer comments. I depend on it to tell me who has visited, so I can return the visit. I noticed a change in the menu, making it more difficult to get to the stats and wondered what was going on. I still have a free sight and have not really tried to get lots of followers. I like the whole writing process and a place to show my pics and I love the friends I’ve made. I agree with Andy, though. I hate it when Word Press makes these changes and doesn’t notify in advance. You just wake up one day and have to figure it out for yourself. If they make it too hard for me, I’ll probably just ditch social media and go back to the comfortable dark ages. I’ve ditched Face Book once and it didn’t phase me at all. Roxie would miss her fan club, though!
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Oh Lordy you cant leave us on WP. Interesting, you’re the first person today that says their menu was changed. The people on the help page said that lots of people have complained though. Its strange going for the stats counter every 5 minutes and its not there though.
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Andy,I never had that stats counter (or I never noticed it) at the top of my page. I have the stats page and get to it through the menu. This process has changed twice since I’ve be on WP. I used to get to things through the Administrator on the menu, but that appears not to be an option, now. When I start getting seriously into my final drafts of the books, I’ll spend less time blogging – maybe once a month. I’ve been taking time from reading blogs and commenting in the last few months and catching up has been interesting. I’m going back to your blog now.
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Hiya Clare > Yes its seems some people did and some people never had a stats counter. I think the issue seems to be changing things without asking. I’m still really miffed about it and will keep my post up. Tx for the feedback though. Next month I’ll be squeezing all of my hours at work into three days so I can get my writing done. Its chancy but I have to go for it.
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I think it’s a good plan. You have so much material for your book and you need to sit with it and organize it into a cohesive format. Good luck.
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I told myself I wasnt going to write it but a mate on my RSS (Christine on Before Sunrise) sent me about five really detailed e-mails as to why I should write it. I’m a workin on it!!!!
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I’ll help with the grammar and punctuation if needed.
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I found someone to do my book Just Turn Left > I mean a thorough overhaul with grammar and indents etc the lot. It will cost me $2,000 but I am saving up for it. I may win the football before then though 🙂
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I think that’s a wise choice. I think a book looks much more professional when it goes through the right hands. I would love to overhaul A Berkshire Tale someday, but in the mean time, I’m going to take out some of the stories and re-do them separately with more pics and a different format. And I’ll be writing more stories in the series, too. Good look with the football!
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Hiya Clare. Actually I didnt think that A Berkshire Tale needed it. I thought it was all very professional. As for my work, it so needs an overhaul poor thing. Yes yes back on the football today 🙂 c’mon!
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Thank you, Andy, but as I take out each story individually to republish, I see so much more that could have been done. I guess that’s why I’m being so very careful with the ZuZu Christmas book and the mystery. I’d like them done right the first time.
Go Liverpool or Manchester or ????? That’s all I know.
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Ha ha I’m a Liverpool man myself for 25 years and more. YNWA > The more we write the better we get and that’s all there is to it. Cant wait for the next read Clare 😉
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Ah, I thought so! Waiting for the spirit to inspire. Thanks, Andy
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Hiya Clare > I saw you subscribed to my YouTube channel so thought I’d say thanks. Its a slow one to get off the ground. Different people different vibe from other sites. Thanks back Clare.
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Andy, I thought I’d subscribed right away, the first time I visited your channel. But just in case, I pushed the right buttons again. I’m sure the site will grow throughout the new year. Clare
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Heeey Clare > I think it takes its time to register anything. I actually think the combination of YouTube and Google + is really confusing especially with stats, messages and sharing posts. Best keep it simple I say. Yes I got you on YouTube now. I just wanted to say thanks for following me there 🙂
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You’re welcome. Looking forward to following you. I spoke with Shengdong this morning. He was in Beijing last week and said it was quite smoggy. I’m emailing your blog site to him.
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Hiya Clare. Yes I can see your following. Thanks so much. Its a strange old place is YouTube. Different people all together compared to WP. Yes its getting bad again tonight. We did have a couple of days fresh air. I stuck my head out of the window in the morning of the first day and breathed in heavily. It was four days of closed windows and masks. After four days it does start to get to you. Tx for the mail. Hope you’re having a great Chrimble.
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Andy, Chrimble is almost over and actually, I am quite relieved. I hope to have a cold, snowy winter by the fire writing and reading. I’m heading for your YouTube to check out more about your travels. Take care and I wish you a winter of cool, fresh air.
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Hey Clare > Should be posting a few soon. I had one of those indecisive lack of confidence no direction writers kinda things if you know what I mean. Anyway, I appear to be back on track. I often hear from people how they’re relieved that Christmas is over ha ha. Do you have an open fire then? If so tres jealous 🙂
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Yes, Roxie likes it warm and cozy. She got behind the screen last week and I’m hoping she learned her lesson. But she also ran outside the other day and stuck her nose on a clump of ice. It startled her but hasn’t stopped her from trying to escape every chance she can get!
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Ha ha ha ha ha > That’s so funny. I have a wonderful image of her. Ha ha ha ha wonderful
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I have a photo of her checking out the fireplace before she figured out how to get around the screen. I didn’t get one of her behind it, as I had to jump up to save her from getting singed! She puts a lot of time and thought into her mischief-making!
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Does she knock things off of shelves?
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Shelves, closets, counters, the fireplace mantel, bureaus, bookcases, tables….If it’s standing upright, she sees it as a challenge. 😾
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Does she bring birds into the house? LOL
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No, just snakes.
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Alive???? :O
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Yes, She loves the squiggly ones and thinks they make great gifts for Charley and me. I am still looking for one that got loose in the dining room two summers ago. We think it went into the heating unit and then dropped into the cellar???????
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My cat Giro would leave a line of dead mice side by side on the door mat. Couldnt figure that one out. Would also bring live birds into the kitchen and proceed to chase them around knocking every jar and packet off the shelves. Cats are so mad at times LOL
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🙀
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Thanks for the super kind offer though Clare. I may well take you up on that one 🙂
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Just in case you don’t win the football, I’ll be your B plan.
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Now this *CaT* is always “Naughty”!! LOL Just wanted you to know your book is now up on my “Cat Lyon’s Reading Den” now here: https://anauthorandwriterinprogress.wordpress.com/cat-lyons-reading-den-hot-book-picks-for-oct-nov-2016-i-bring-authors-readers-together/
And yes, I also miss the Stats Counter ~ Happy Holidays Andy XOXO
Catherine
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Hiya Cat > That’s fantastic. I’ll take a look now. If I’m a bit slow it’s because I’m off work sick today. I’m lost without my stats counter. I have to have a separate page that I have to reload to see my stats 😦 It vexes me LOL
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Sorry you weren’t feeling well. Take care of yourself please …LOL. I did get your book up now on my reading den site. Also bought the book and am reading now every night. I’ll so reviews when I’m done. XO
Have a fantastic weekend “-)
*CAT*
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Hiya Cat > Yes I saw it. It looks awesome and I’m really proud to see it up there on your site under your tree ha ha:) Feeling a bit better now. Thanks for asking. Hope you enjoy it and you have a fab weekend yourself. 🙂
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Andy, I don’t pay enough attention to stats so don’t have an opinion on the stats counter problem. I’m not a power blogger, and post once a month, twice at most. I do look at who likes & comments on my posts so I can do the same in kind!? Maybe as I finish & try to sell books I’ll think differently! 🎄 Christine
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Power blogging > Now that’s a new one on me. Phew, now I think about it I do know a few people like that. I’m a once a week kinda guy, maybe once a fortnight what with the YouTube as well these days. I think WP is about having a bit more fun with your writing > If I did a post it was always really good fun seeing the stats counter crack into life. Hey ho such is life. I’ll always miss it 😦
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☺️
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I have gotten my website hosted and I am still using the basic WP theme, but wordpress does not take care of my site anymore, my host does, and I have never noticed the stats thing until reading this post. I have installed skystats to track my daily visitors and traffic, but I really cannot count on it. Yes what I need that traffic for if I don’t have enough engagements? But I concur your point, it is not nice to alter a prepaid service without notification.
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Hiya Julie > I think from what I can gather there have been a lot of changes here and there under the radar. People have to like it or lump it. Thanks for dropping by mate. How and where are you these days?
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After I get hosted, my likes are all gone, and it really takes sometime to get used to when no one will like my posts.
I am still in Toronto, I have to wait till I get permanent residence so I can return to China and visit. Still need to read more of your trip. Are you going to spend Christmas? Hopefully the air quality is not too bad.
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Hi there Julie. I often think about that when I come over to your blog. Also you have to leave your details before you can leave a comment. I guess when you are out on your own site its a message that you no longer need people to give you a thumbs up. You know your posts are all professional top quality 🙂 Air is terrible here today. Did you check out my YouTube channel? I’m a bit lost about your permanent residence. Are you a Canadian citizen or waiting for that?
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There are a few “changes” that have me bent. It is combined with Google mail changes and now seems so difficult to post easily and monitor/approve/reply to comments.
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Hiya Dweezer > Its especially annoying when the changes happen without anyone telling you. I really miss my stats counter. Grrrrrrr
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