Hey guys,
I have been seeing reports of comment editing issues, starting last night. Speculation is that it’s related to a browser update.
If you are experiencing new comment-related issues, please:
1 describe what you are experiencing
2 tell me what browser you are using
3 tell me the version of your browser
4 please try another browser
5 share the results from the alternate browser (including all the info I requested above)
This way I can confirm whether or not this is, indeed, a browser-related issue, and which browser(s) are involved.
Update 1: Fair warning, if someone only supplies part of the information I am requesting, I will assume this problem is not a big deal for that person and their input won’t be included in the data set. If you don’t have the ability to try another browser, please say so, and supply items 1-3.
Update 2: Are you FireFox peeps functional – replying and creating a comment – in text mode? I’d kind of like to see if FireFox fixes what they fucked up in the next day or two, and if not, ask the developers to look at this on Monday. Let me know in the comments if the will work for you.
OzarkHillbilly
What’s a browser?
WaterGirl
@OzarkHillbilly: Someone who used to hang out at a bookstore, looking at various books on the shelves.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
Only issue I’m having off the top of my head is the No Visual Tab thing, where you hit Reply and you are seeing the raw HTML. I believe that happens most often in Firefox 85.0 on Mac OSX Big Sur (V11.1). My other main browsing environment is Safari on the iPhone 8.It doesn’t happen that often so I just roll with it.
Actually I just got a new and interesting bug while editing this comment. I have a Visual tab but I can’t use it to edit. The content does not appear in the edit box in Visual mode, only in Text mode. This is on the laptop (Firefox/OSX).Never saw that one before.
Updated update: It’s repeatable. Edit 1, no content in Visual mode.
Edit 2, it’s there, all is normal. Edit 3 (this one), again no text in Visual mode.
Amir Khalid
How do I find out what version number of Firefox I am on?
Ceci n est pas mon nym
@Amir Khalid: On Mac it’s under the Firefox menu, Firefox->About Firefox. Not sure where it would be on a Bill Gates machine.
Amir Khalid
Meanwhile, I’m on the latest auto-updated version of Firefox. I find I have to refresh a few times before I can get the cursor to show up in the comment box.
Rob
@Amir Khalid:
@Ceci n est pas mon nym:
On my Windows PC, it’s under Help then About.
testing eta: Help->About.
O. Felix Culpa
@WaterGirl: Great answer. :)
Amir Khalid
@Rob:
Thanks. It seems I’m on version 85.0.
Ceci n est pas mon nym
Ah, I see the bug is happening on new comments too. In visual mode, I can’t even create a comment (intermittently). And when I switch from Text to Visual, whatever I’ve typed disappears.
On non-tech subjects: One of the many random organizations who sends me political text messages is asking me to sign a petition to rename Donald Trump State Park to Ruth Bader Ginsburg State Park. I’m all in favor of that but my main reaction is: There’s a Donal Trump State Park? How did that happen? Is it the name of the dumpster behind a McDonald’s or an actual park?
Rob
@Amir Khalid: Me too. Catalina 10.15.7 on a 2020 MacBook Pro, and Firefox 85.0 installed yesterday.
Rob
@Rob: And I’m having to refresh this page 2-3 times if I want to edit my existing comment or create a new comment. While I don’t comment very often, I don’t remember running into this refresh requirement any time recently.
Rob
Fresh comment test
Omnes Omnibus
Windows 10, FF 84.0.02
This morning it took about three tries to get the @someone to appear when I tried replying. Maybe FYWP just didn’t want me to talk to Leto.
Rob
@Omnes Omnibus: I’m having the same issue.
Back to work for me.
WaterGirl
@Omnes Omnibus: FYWP does not discriminate!
evodevo
Have to click on text in order to comment…typing is SLOW…my firefox version is 84.o.2
Ken
Firefox 85.0 is wonky. Chrome 88.0.4324.104 is fine. Windows, 64-bit.
Wonky symptoms:
No idea if this is important, but on clicking “Reply” the Firefox textarea contains:
while the Chrome textarea contains:
Scout211
WaterGirl,
In case you need a placebo group for your scientific research:
No problems using Chrome or Safari on a Mac (Mojave) and no problems using Chrome for iPad or Safari for iPad.
(I often have to click the “click here to refresh” to get both visual and text boxes in the comment box but that has been ongoing since the big switch over).
stinger
Test — I got a FF update overnight — so far all seems well in commenting.
ETA: FF 85.0 on Mac OS 10.15.7
Ken
There’s a cohort that hangs out specifically in the “Relationships and Marriage” section, looking at the illustrations in The Joy of Sex.
Barbara
I don’t seem to have a problem on my laptop, using Firefox.
I had a problem last night and this morning on Firefox, using an Android device. In the one case, my Samsung phone, relatively new, high end model, and in the other, my Nook, using Samsung, relatively old, less robust model of Android. I have to manually hit “text” to enable typing out comments.
stinger
@Ken: Reply test — also seems normal, not that I comment much!
WaterGirl
@evodevo: Say more about “typing is slow”, please.
You type several words as usual, but each letter shows up more slowly than usual?
WaterGirl
@Ken: This is EXACTLY the kind of information we need. Thank you!
WaterGirl
@Ken: I don’t think this will help, but sometimes we like to prove our hypothesis is correct, and sometimes we find out that it’s wrong.
I have two tests I would like you to do, if you’re willing.
I assume your two block quotes show what you see in the visual tab, yes? Or is that what you see in the Text tab?
If you don’t get the cursor, are you able to highlight something ad delete?
Ken
@WaterGirl: Thanks. It helps that I do this for a living – after a bit, you learn what needs to go into a bug report.
OzarkHillbilly
@WaterGirl: Oh well, in that case, my browser is Hillbilly and the version is Ozark1958.
Poe Larity
I oppose all efforts to make BJ less wonky.
Rob
@WaterGirl: Taking Ken’s statements as a springboard, these also happen to me:
Refreshing, 1 2 or 3 times, allows a cursor to appear and for me to comment or reply. See an earlier comment for my browser/computer stats.
Ok, I’m really going back to work.
Benw
@WaterGirl: hey I finally saw your question about the pizza dough. Short version: it’s actually really easy and I usually just fix it up while I’m in the kitchen work on other things!
To be Frank
btw thanks for the heads up about no apostrophes in the nym
OzarkHillbilly
I don’t know about FYWP but I don’t want you two plotting against me.
Ruckus
Hey, I have both the visual and text boxes.
I’d say about 50% of the time I get text only. macOS Big Sur 11.1, Safari 14.0.2
Haven’t seen the current problem.
OTOH SHOT TODAY
There go two miscreants
No cursor in Visual mode, only in Text. No amount of refreshing helps so far.Win 10 64bit, Firefox 85.0 just updated overnight.Adding BJ to the Allow Cookies exceptions in FF did not help.Using Edge browser, comment box works normally.
ETA: Turned OFF the enhanced tracking protection in FF and Visual box now works.
ETA: Spoke too soon; when I come back to edit a second time, Visual no longer working, Text only.
Ken
@WaterGirl:
The block quotes are what I see after switching to the Text tab.
In Firefox:
namekarB
All is working on Mac Big Sur
Safari
Chrome Version 88.0.4324.96
frosty
Checking … text works, visual doesn’t. Win10, Firefox 84.0
OK on mobile. iPhone SE iOS 13.7, Firefox, not sure of the version
WaterGirl
@There go two miscreants: That’s super helpful, too.
WaterGirl
Are you FireFox peeps functional – replying and creating a comment – in text mode?
I’d kind of like to see if FireFox fixes what they fucked up in the next day or two, and if not, ask the developers to look at this on Monday.
Let me know in the comments if the will work for you.
Ken
Firefox web console when I click the “Reply” button shows one ERROR:
That’s http://www.balloon-juice.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/tinymce.min.js, version 4.9.11 (2020-07-13). Doesn’t seem to be any more info available about the error.
It’s followed by multiple WARNINGS: “Request to access cookie or storage was blocked because it came from a tracker and content blocking is enabled”, probably unrelated.
Ken
@WaterGirl: I’m OK in text mode, or I’ll just use Chrome for BJ.
There go two miscreants
@There go two miscreants: This reply comment entered using the Edge 88.0.705.56 browser. Visual window works fine
ETA: Editing once
ETA: Editing a second time. All appears OK.
There go two miscreants
@WaterGirl: I don’t comment much so it’s not a problem for me. I can just open up in Edge (or use Text mode) if I am desperate to leave a comment!
WaterGirl
In my case, when I hit “Reply” or “Edit”, the comment box “Visual” tab is blank and not editable. I’m typing this in the “Text” tab.”
WaterGirl
From HB
BruceFromOhio
1. Cannot enter text into a fresh comment box on Visual tab. I am entering this on Text tab. Cannot enter text into a pop-out reply comment Visual tab either.
2. Firefox on Windows 10 (20H2)
3. 85.0
4. *heavysigh* because I care deeply about this goals of this organization, I’m opening Microsoft Edge Version 88.0.705.53 (Official build) (64-bit) which now wants to update because I do not use this browser very often. ….. and now updated to Version 88.0.705.56 (Official build) (64-bit)
5. Edge appears to work just fine in all modes (new comment, pop-out reply comment, inline reply comment)
N. unsolicited comment – appears that FF is getting jacked up on the Visual widget.
ETA: after posting, editing comment yields blank Visual tab. Switching to Text tab and all of the markup is now displayed as well i.e. (p data-mce-fragment=”1″)
ETA part 2: Editing in the Text tab on FF completely horked the formatting, my comment is now all squished into one long para.
ETA part 3: fixing the formatting
PJ
@WaterGirl: I was having problems last night with commenting, but I updated Firefox last night, and it’s working now. Mac OS 10.13.6, Firefox 85.0.
ETA: It works in text mode, too.
BruceFromOhio
@BruceFromOhio:
Cleared the FF cache, and now I do not have the Visual tab.
Perhaps this is by design.
ETA: Visual tab shows up again when updating comment, still does not allow data entry.
I’ll check back on this thread later if you seek any retesting after configuration update.
PJ
@PJ: It also seems to be working fine on Safari 13.1.2.
JCJ
@Omnes Omnibus: Maybe Leto has a secret code installed because he does not want to talk to you.
jeffreyw
Making a comment just to see if there is a problem here. Visual tab, FF 85, win 10. So far no lag but I type too slow for that to be dispositive. ETA so far so good. No problem.
SiubhanDuinne
WG, I’m not having any specific issues, but maybe this is the right thread to ask something I’ve been wondering for a while:
I greatly prefer to compose comments and replies in Text, and almost always switch over from the default Visual before I begin typing.
Question: Is there some way I can make Text my default to save me that one tiny first-world-problem step? I use iPhone, Safari, whatever the most recent iOS I’ve bothered to download.
trollhattan
@WaterGirl:
Now this here is browsing.
Can I edit while browsing? Looks like I can. FF 85.0 64 bit
Baud
@OzarkHillbilly:
The TV name of a character on the old variety show Sha Na Na.
Bill Arnold
Firefox 84.0.2 (64-bit) on Ubuntu (18.04) works in both visual and text mode. (Chrome works too.)
Plugins include Privacy Badger, NoScript (bunch of sites enabled for balloon-juice interactions), uBlock Origin
smedley the uncertain
@WaterGirl: FF working fine here WIN 7 (I know I know) FF 84.0.2 using visual.
karen marie
I think the entire internet is broken. I haven’t had the problems here others have but I have had multiple occasions recently where I get a “you’ve already said that” notice when posting a comment. Yeah, I know I repeat myself but is it really necessary for the commenting thingy to point it out so often?
Google mail has been acting up – buffering and buffering instead of loading my inbox.
It’s crazy making because I can’t know whether it’s Google, my internet connection, my device, the browser – and of course everyone points the finger at the other guys as the culprit.
More and more I’m just finding other things to do with my time. Amazing how much life there is outside of the internet. Those blankets don’t crochet themselves!
WaterGirl
@SiubhanDuinne: I asked the developers about this when the site rolled out. If you have a WordPress login (i.e. front pagers), WordPress remembers what you selected last, and it retains that until you change it.
For commenters (no WordPress login) they said there is not a good way to either set a default or have it retain your previous setting.
CatFacts
Am on Firefox 85.0 for Mac. Running in private browsing with Adblock plus, as usual. I can comment in text mode but not visual mode. Safari is fine. I’m having the same text area weirdness as Ken above when I edit a reply in Firefox, though the edit does show up.
Central Planning
@WaterGirl: Can that please be added to the rotating taglines?
Central Planning
@OzarkHillbilly: Don’t tell us your username and password!
Central Planning
@WaterGirl: This is the third time trying to reply to OzarkHillbilly’s comment.
If I refresh the page and then try to comment, commenting sometimes works.
Just Chuck
Visual and Text editors work fine on the bottom and in the popup. FF 84.0.2 on Ubuntu 20.04.2
SiubhanDuinne
@WaterGirl:
Okay, thanks, no worries. As annoyances go, this is WAAAAAY down the list! Just thought I’d ask.
J R in WV
I have fired up Chromium and it appears to work pretty much as expected and hoped. This comment, for two, and comment # 25 in the new Betty Cracker thread for one.
ETA: Also for editing my comments, see!
ETA2: Version 88.0.4324.96 (Official Build) snap (64-bit)
of Chromium.
J R in WV
FYI, commenting on the other site I frequent, LGM, was as usual using Firefox, just a couple of tabs over from here. disqus, etc, of course…
HumboldtBlue
@Central Planning:
That describes my issues with Firefox as well.
I have the latest Firefox update, in fact that happened yesterday so the two could be related.
the pollyanna from hell
text mode is only way i can comment in latest firefox, let alone edit. i can’t find version number, but my update is quite recent.on ubuntu. i’ve hit text mode three times in this comment.
?BillinGlendaleCA
This happens pretty much every time I start reading a new thread.
Windows 10 64-Bit, 20H2(with latest updates), MS Edge Version 88.0.705.50 (Official build) (64-bit).
lee
Testing to see if my FF browser works.
This is the edit:
lee
@?BillinGlendaleCA: This is a reply to Bill’s comment
This is the edit: fwr35435
lee
FF 85.0 (64-bit)
Windows 10 64 bit.
JoyceH
I’m on Firefox 84, windows 10, and the typing is slow, like I can be a sentence ahead of what appears on the screen. Just now I couldn’t get a cursor in visual, so I’m in text.
Brachiator
Firefox 85.0 on Windows 10
I tried to copy part of a poster’s comment and reply.
After clicking the reply button, no reference to the previous comment and I could not paste text or enter new text.
But this post seems to be OK!
the pollyanna from hell
@Ken:
@the pollyanna from hell: ff 84.02
wild result, i thought i only replied to self, not ken
H.E.Wolf
Firefox 84.0 (64 bit), on a desktop Mac.
Can’t type inside the Visual box at all; and paragraph breaks, using the Text box, don’t stay where I put them.
Thank you for troubleshooting!
lowtechcyclist
Test post to try editing – well past the 5-minute limit on the post where editing got wonky in Firefox.
(4.5) Now in MS Edge. Editing works fine.
Anyhow: (2,3) in Firefox 84.0.2 on a Windows 10 desktop, (1) I clicked on ‘Edit’ and got a blank edit box with none of my comment in it. So I refreshed the page, and the ‘edit’ icon wasn’t even there to click on, even though it was <2 minutes since I’d posted the comment.
Ruckus
@Ruckus:
Just because I said it here earlier.
First Shot. Done.
trollhattan
@Ruckus:
Addending my earlier “no prob” comment upthread, FF 85.0 Win 10 doesn’t give me an entry cursor replying to another comment. Switching to text tab then works, and includes this code in the frame: p data-mce-fragment=”1″
Don’t recall if it’s always there.
Chris T.
FireFox 85.0, on a somewhat out of date Mac (I don’t think the macOS version matters that much, it’s more the Firefox version, probably the new 85.0 security stuff). Commenting has always been a bit iffy. Clicking on “click here to refresh” sometimes helps, especially when I have only one tab instead of both, but lately it’s definitely worse.
Right now I have the “text disappears when I click on visual tab” issue, and no cursor there. Last tested before I typed this much in. Hm, interesting, clicked on visual tab, text disappeared, clicked back to text, and <p> tag got replaced with a blank line.
Let’s see if this much will post. I’ll also add that I did see the odd data-mce-fragment stuff earlier (not this time so far). Edit: yes, worked (as you can see).