Guest Blog by Author RUTH HARRIS! [ Edited ]

[eadieburke]

I use my Apple computer and I google: barnesandnoblemysteryclub 

That brings me to a page and I choose the first item which says:

Mystery - Barnes and Noble Book Club

I click on that and it brings me right in without putting in any names or passwords.

I never have any problems. I am using Safari but I also have Chrome and use that sometimes.

The google remembers that I have been there last time and before I finish typing the whole "barnesandnoblemysteryclub" the whole thing comes right up and I click on it. I don't use any spaces either.

[becke_davis]

I use a PC and Google Chrome. 

Okay, brace yourselves. This is from the tech dept.:

If there's no reports from other users of slowness, then this is very likely isolated to this user, making it very like it's a workstation to network problem on their end. We have a few questions for the user so we can hopefully isolate the issue: 

1. Does clearing their cookies and cache resolve the issue? 
2. Do they have another workstation, and if so, do they see the same issue on it? 
3. What version of Firefox are they using? 
4. What version of the MAC OS are they using? 
5. Do they have any anti-virus or internet security program running? If so, please disable it and see if that resolves the issue. 
6. Could they please enter Firefox, go to Firefox > Add-ons and take a screen shot of the listed add-ons? 
7. Most importantly, could they please follow the instructions here (http://support.hostgator.com/articles/specialized-help/technical/how-do-i-run-a-traceroute-on-a-mac), except type tracert bn.lithium.com and supply us the results. Additionally, if they could type ping bn.lithium.com and provide those results as well, it'd be greatly appreciated and help aid us significantly. 

Honestly, I don't think they have any idea how complicated this is for us non-techies.

[Ruth_Harris]

Hi Becke,

OK I'm braced. Even had a second cup of coffee...

1. cleared C&C a few weeks ago. just did it again. makes no difference
2. no other workstation
3. Firefox 3.6.28
4. Mac OS 10.4.11
5. none
6. can't find
7. above my pay grade

As I mentioned, every other site works just fine. B&N is the only problematic one. I'm going to try Eadie's method.

[dhaupt]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:

Hi Becke,

OK I'm braced. Even had a second cup of coffee...

1. cleared C&C a few weeks ago. just did it again. makes no difference
2. no other workstation
3. Firefox 3.6.28
4. Mac OS 10.4.11
5. none
6. can't find
7. above my pay grade

As I mentioned, every other site works just fine. B&N is the only problematic one. I'm going to try Eadie's method.

---

Ruth, may introduce you to our resident tech terror

• 

his visits usually relate to the problems, then he takes a nap and the problems go away

[becke_davis]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:

Hi Becke,

OK I'm braced. Even had a second cup of coffee...

1. cleared C&C a few weeks ago. just did it again. makes no difference
2. no other workstation
3. Firefox 3.6.28
4. Mac OS 10.4.11
5. none
6. can't find
7. above my pay grade

As I mentioned, every other site works just fine. B&N is the only problematic one. I'm going to try Eadie's method.

---

I have relayed this message to the techs. You deserve a bouquet for doing this!

[becke_davis]

Ruth - I just heard that the problem with email alerts has been fixed. Hopefully that, at least, will work for you now!

Sorry you've had so much hassle - I really appreciate you bearing with us!

[Ruth_Harris]

Debbie, LOL. Thank you! I needed that!

Maybe I'll put a sleeping pill in the Tech Terror's milk...

Ruth

[becke_davis]

Ruth - As Debbie indicated, we're very familiar with the gnomes and gremlins making this site glitchy!

[Ruth_Harris]

Becke, Those little devils are all over!  Working overtime here but maybe they'll just get bored with me & give up. They do know I burn powerful anti-gnome-and-gremlin incense, don't they?????  They should be afraid. Very afraid!  ;-) Ruth

[becke_davis]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:

Becke, Those little devils are all over!  Working overtime here but maybe they'll just get bored with me & give up. They do know I burn powerful anti-gnome-and-gremlin incense, don't they?????  They should be afraid. Very afraid!  ;-) Ruth

---

We're very gnome-conscious here, Ruth. I used to write for B&N's Garden Variety blog, and I interviewed a gnome expert about this problem:

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Garden-Variety-The-BN-Gardening/Move-Over-Gremlins-the-Gnomes...

[becke_davis]

Ruth - We aren't allowed to mention other book stores on this site, but are you doing any B&N book signings this year, or signings at other non-book store venues?

[Ruth_Harris]

LOL. Sounds like Total Obliteration is called for!

[Ruth_Harris]

Becke, No, no signings planned. Not for a while anyway.

BTW, I'm on Safari now (same computer) but the site works MUCH better here. I even can use Quick reply! :-)

[eadieburke]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:
Becke, No, no signings planned. Not for a while anyway.

BTW, I'm on Safari now (same computer) but the site works MUCH better here. I even can use Quick reply! :-)

---

Yeah!

[becke_davis]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:
Becke, No, no signings planned. Not for a while anyway.

BTW, I'm on Safari now (same computer) but the site works MUCH better here. I even can use Quick reply! :-)

---

That's good to know. I'd been told Mozilla Firefox was a safe bet and Safari is sometimes iffy. Maybe that has changed.

[becke_davis]

Ruth - I'm sorr y about all the challenges you faced in order to visit with us this week. Thanks so much for making the extra effort - it's been a blast! Hope you'll come back again soon!

[Ruth_Harris]

Hi Becke, :-)

[becke_davis]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:
Hi Becke, :-)

---

Ruth - This is "your" thread now. You're welcome to post updates here any time!

[Ruth_Harris]

Thank you, Becke! I even got an email alerting me to your reply so your techs are definitely making progress.

If any readers drop by and have questions about HOOKED and/or how a nice girl like me got into writing thrillers, I'll do my best to explain. ;-)

[becke_davis]

---

Ruth_Harris wrote:
Thank you, Becke! I even got an email alerting me to your reply so your techs are definitely making progress.

If any readers drop by and have questions about HOOKED and/or how a nice girl like me got into writing thrillers, I'll do my best to explain. ;-)

---

Ruth - Whenever anyone adds a comment here, even months from now, the thread will move to the front of the board as an "active" thread. It will show up whenever your name is searched on the B&N boards, too.