Help! It appears AOL does not like The Lis
Submitted by jim on Wed, 07/05/2000 - 09:27
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Help! It appears AOL does not like The Listology for some reason. I've gotten three bug reports from AOL users. Click "discuss" below to read more and see how you can help.
Well, I didn't try to post anything for a few days because I was away, but I tried again today and I got the Unsupported error on AOL; however, the error didn't come up until I tried to post a list. Once I did, I got nothing but the error. Jim, have you e-mailed anyone at AOL about this? I wonder if they could clear this up.
Did you edit/create some of your "Essential Albums" lists yesterday? If so, how did you do it? Did you use a different machine, or did you find a way around the problem?
I did post and revise some new lists yesterday, but I had to log off of AOL and sign on with a different screen name each time I wanted to post something. I called the AOL/Windows number and they helped me do several things, but to no avail. Both my computer, which is a little older and uses Windows 95, and my parents', which is only a few months old and has Windows 98, have the same problem. I think the problem must lie with AOL, not individual users' computers. I don't know why some AOL users have no problems and others do, but I honestly think that the problem has to involve AOL.
Also, Jim, how difficult would it be to install a log out button on another page besides the "My Lists" page? If users having trouble could go back to the Listology main page and then log out and re-log in, it might help matters, at least until this gets ironed out. Thanks for the effort you've put in trying to clear everthing up.
Johnny Waco
Argh, AOL bastiges. Instead of putting in extra logout links, let me just give you a logout URL. You can save this as a bookmark, and click on it to logout at will:
http://www.listology.com/list.phtml?logout=True
Or, if your browser supports it, you should just be able to drag this link to your bookmarks/favorites: Listology Logout.
So what was AOL's last word after failing to help you? Did they give you any cause for hope? Are you going to call back? Have you tried using the site with both cookies enabled and disabled, and has it failed in both cases?
Thanks for following up on this so diligently, and please keep me posted as to what you've tried, and what AOL has said might be the problem.
Thanks, Jim. The bookmark helps considerably. OK, actually AOL hasn't said there's nothing else they can do, but I've called three times, and they checked for cookies, emptied my cache, and something else that escapes me at the moment. Each time they told me to call back if it didn't work, but I got a little frustrated so I gave up for that day. I'll call again pretty soon. They have no idea what the problem is, but they seem to think that my computer is fine and that each solution probably won't work, but they're hesitent to say that the problem might be with them. It's not a priority though; with the bookmark I can post fairly easily, and so can any other AOL user with problems.
Johnny Waco
I just got off the phone with AOL support, and they were able to access the features of The Listology without any problems, so this isn't a universal AOL problem (while it seems restricted to AOL/CompuServe users, it's not all AOL/CompuServe users). They assured me that the problem is not with The Listology, but with the specific setups of the folks that are having problems. They mentioned two things that might be causing the problem:
Of these, I suspect the first. The Listology does make use of cookies. However, on most platforms (and certainly on my machine) if you have cookies disabled, the site should behave normally except you will have to log in each time you do a "restricted" action (e.g. every time you save a list). So the first thing to try would be enabling cookies, restarting AOL (just to make sure the enabling of cookies is in effect), and seeing if you have the same problem.
If that fails, AOL suggested that the users having problems call them directly for assistance. For Windows-version support, dial 1-888-346-3704 (this is the number I called, and I didn't have to wait long at all). For other support numbers, dial 1-800-827-6364 and listen to the mile-long list of options.
I am not foisting off responsibility on AOL to fix this, or on you to work it out for yourself. I'm still researching on my end, but I think the best approach right now is to first try enabling cookies, and then calling AOL support to see what they say. Please let me know how it goes, and if that fails, I'll keep plugging away.
Thanks!
Of the bug reports, this one is representative:
Here's the help I could use: If you know how to solve this problem, please tell me! :) Or, more realistically, if you're getting this bug, could you please tell me the operating system and AOL version you are using. Also, if AOL allows you to use a browser other than the one built into their service, please try that and let me know if you have the same problem.
The thing I find puzzling/troubling is that the "my lists" feature doesn't do anything different from any of the other links (in fact, it's the same script!), yet it seems to be the only one causing problems. So if you have problems with other links (like "my profile"), please let me know that as well (in fact, if you're having the "my lists" problem, try "my profile" and let me know if that works or not).
Please post all reports here, so I have them all in one place.
i was actually accessing listology through compuserve when i received the web error message....
I remain suspicious because CompuServe is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AOL, so I imagine they have shared components.
In any case, if everybody reading this would be willing to click on "my lists" right now and login (if necessary), that would be great. If you have problems, please report them here.