Another voice? Would you like to hear what another blogger is saying? This is just one of about fifty messages in response to my message on the WordPress Forum. The title of my message is/was “I don’t want the new editor.”  WordPress foisted the new editor on us and it is “default” so to prepare this message, I had to be a magician. Another blogger (more savvy than “yours truly”) told readers the sixteen steps (more or less) to get to this familiar editor. The word is: This will be buried–and unavailable.

Thanks for your reply but I was being facetious in the midst of my ire at losing the classic editor to this new “thing”, going from the welcome sigh of the familiar layout to what was essentially a confusingly minimalist one.

I should explain that not only am I slightly older than your average blogger but I am also Autistic, meaning I am slow on the uptake and I don’t adapt to change very well, especially when it takes me out of a routine that has become of comfort to me.

Therefore, to see something that is user friendly, handily laid out, easy to navigate and work with, and does everything I want it to without confusing my addled brain disappear, replaced by something empty, confusing, hides everything, makes it harder to do simple things, and has eliminated some of the functions I use that suit my needs, adding more unnecessary time to my posting experience, is like replacing a human care worker with a robot.

No doubt these whizz kids who do all their posting via mobile phone who want less clutter and more flash will be in their element, and more power to them, but for us older desktop PC users, this is not of any use to us. I know there is a concession to use the classic editor functions an basic layout in this new but that is still only part of what makes it so useful for many of us.

Currently, it takes me five minutes to add a new post (I write mine in Word then copy it over) but under this new editor, with having to faff about switching from this to that, trying to find things that were once laid out for me, or fiddle with because the function has changed, I’m looking at maybe two or three times that and for what?

Change is inevitable but in cases like WordPress where the editor is arguably the most vital facet of the entire platform, there are some things that need to be kept simple or at least rooted in the familiar framework, as not everyone can adapt to slick new procedures or fancy new tools with ease, nor do they have the time to
play about with them.

If we have to be redirected to tutorial videos on how to use the new editor then I propose there is a flaw in the plan if the changes are that drastic, it requires a complete overhaul of our understanding of how to make a simple post. Gradual change for a smoother cross over is one thing, this is akin to replacing a Morris Minor with a Ferrari.

The amount of negative responses on these forums and beyond (i.e. social media) to me shows this is an ongoing battle between WP and its users – it’s not the first time the new editor has caused a kerfuffle and I doubt it will be the last, but I do object to the arrogance of WP in not making these changes optional for its users rather than mandatory as not everyone will be so well equipped to handle these changes.

Sorry for the old man rant but I needed to get that off my chest.

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Postscript @ 11:30 AM: I received a reprimand from WordPress because of one of my responses to a message on the forum.

“Playday” for Lorraine. From some of the messages I’ve read, “Classic Editor” will soon be history, and a magician cannot wave a wand and make it appear. This is a “playday” because “yours truly” searched for descriptive clipart and inserted in a “Classic Editor” message.

“Hello October” but so far it has been chaotic for “yours truly.” (Remember, I’ve tried to refrain from referring to myself as “the old lady.” I don’t like the perpendicular pronoun so [for today, at least] it’s “yours truly.”) My world has been turned upside-down. Thanks to instructions from another blogger, “yours truly” is preparing this message in the way it has been done for eight-plus years. However, “yours truly” left “editing” to check the date of first blog on WordPress (17 Dec 2011) and, upon return, was thrown into the new format. Frequently, “yours truly” declares she loves a challenge (especially on Ancestry.com). Learning a new “editor” is unacceptable!!

This blogger is not disposed to slang or profanity. Is it sufficient to say “mad as hell”?  I’ve tried every resource I can find and I’m still stuck in the “default” editor. I read one explanation about returning to the “old style” if we had been blogging for years. Well it didn’t work (or Lorraine failed…)!! I’m in tears, seriously!! To further complicate my life, I can’t use features in Ancestry.com. Repeat: “I’ve tried every resource I can find…” and Ancestry doesn’t respond. ~~~~~ I’m a Trump-supporter and grieved to hear that he and the first lady have tested positive for the Coronavirus. I’m praying for them and the White House Staff (and all) who have been in close contact with one another. Listening to the TV-news, the “leftist” commentators are extremely negative. I’m in anguish.

Very, very unhappy eighty-five year old!! I’m “stuck” with a new editor for my WordPress blog messages. THE NEW EDITOR IS AWFUL. I documented my displeasure on a WordPress Forum and two-dozen (or more) individuals have responded to my message with their likewise displeasure. One noticeable difference: No way to add pictures and clipart.

I find that WordPress has changed (where I prepare blog messages) and I can’t get into Ancestry.com (where I retreat from life’s frustrations)!! The TV news is so negative!! My arm and shoulder ache. I’m really depressed!!

6:50 PM postscript and WordPress did a “chat” with me and helped me return to the old style. Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah!!!!!

POSTSCRIPT, 2:00 PM October 2nd: The “hallelujah” didn’t last very long.

Did you watch the debate? I did… and the follow-up analysis

P.S.  I “published” this message early—before watching the news on the major TV networks. I’ve decided I must need hearing aids. I “heard” an entirely different debate. A contentious debate “yes” but I didn’t “hear” the words the left-leaning commentators say they heard.

Porch beautiful?!

Sad to say, I’ve been here for nine months and only—at this late date-–have a “presentable approach” to my front door.

Yes, I am bleaching the plastic steps. A second application necessary and a different scrub brush to get to the back corner. OMG, my eyes are burning from the bleach fumes in the air. Below are a couple of “before” pictures. Surprisingly (to me), I couldn’t find a picture of the extremely unsightly clutter.

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“Visitors welcome”  to my front porch—with social distancing!! Sorry, no “over-nighters.”