Well, I discovered something new today…. and somewhat frustrating. You see, I thought I had started to blog on the next Webolution task (11 and 12: Professional Development Websites). I recall having a few minutes to spare one day while I was working the reference desk, so I banged out a few lines on the blog. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish, so I saved it as a draft and went on about my business, expecting to come back to it again later, finish the entry, and publish it. Or so I thought…
It was a few days later before I actually got back to the blog, and I was not able to find the draft. Perhaps I didn’t save it. Maybe drafts expire after a few days on WordPress.com… Whatever. I just started again on the post and didn’t think much more about it. Again, I ran out of time, so I very intentionally and deliberately saved the draft and went on to whatever it was I had to do next…
Flash forward to today. No draft to be found. Again. *@$%#!!! To my credit, the F-bomb was only muttered under my breath, and I am sure no one heard me, although the monitor did flicker for a moment, and the cup of water sitting on the desk beside me briefly began to boil (see Piers Anthony’s Xanth series)… So I started again. With a heavy heart and a *very* strong sense of deja vu, I began to re-create the blog entry for what I am now sure was the third time, pausing to save obsessively. Then it happened. I accidentally clicked the “Save” button, instead of the “Save and Continue Editing” button. Flash to blank blog entry screen – no sign of the work I had just done. Again x 2. %*&^$@#!!! This *%^@$$-ing $%@#$%!!!! A fluorescent bulb above my head went out, and the bar code scanner gave a couple of pathetic beeps and then stopped working altogether. A small fire started in the trashcan beside me, but I was able to put it out with what was left of the cup of boiling water.
I was able to finally figure out what the problem was: Apparently, you must have a title for your post before you can save it. Of course, the WordPress engine doesn’t actually tell you this. The lowliest Windows app (say notebook) will not allow you to save a file without a title; WordPress just sits there and hums innocently as you frantically look for your missing work…
Just had to get that off my chest!
-SPQR
