Wednesday 23 January 2013

Technology hates me

Well, not all technology but social networking has definitely got it in for me today.  On Monday Instagram threw a hissy fit and wanted verification.  It also wanted a photo from my passport or driver's licence and I'm sorry, but that kind of photo is between me and officialdom only.  So anyway, Debs14 on Instagram is now never to be accessed again it would seem.  I know I'm still there because I can see my old photos when my profile comes up on the log in page.  {waves pathetically to Debs 14 on the instagram feed}

Last night, I went to bed, turned off my phone as normal.  Switched it back on again about 7.30 am today and Facebook wanted verification.  It normally just springs into action so that was a bit strange anyway but I decided to log onto a 'proper' computer via the www official page just in case it was a scam and guess what?  Facebook hates me too! I changed my password, had an email back that it was changed, tried to log on and ... nothing.  

Now all these social networking sites are fine and fun when they are working ok but let me assure you that the moment something goes wrong it is impossible to find anyone to help.  You go round in circles.  Check out their 'help' pages (clearly a misrepresentation there in my case) that tells you to click on a link.  Click on the link, do what it says and get a message telling you that they will email you in due course but in the meantime, can they refer you to their help pages.  An email appears.  Sorry for the inconvenience, all issues can be resolved by going to the help pages.  Please don't reply to this email as it is an automated response.

So after a few hours of muttering under my breath and bemoaning the lack of being able to speak to a real person, I've made a decision.  If all is not resolved within 48 hours I am going to reinvent myself.  That's right, a whole new identity. Debs14 will slink into the shadows, wearing dark glasses, with the collar of her raincoat turned up.  She may even be muttering to herself in a strange Russian type accent.   Well, whole new log in details anyway.  I've already made myself a hotmail account so that I can link anything new to that rather than get a message saying 'that email address is already being used'  Oh yes, used by the crafter previously known as Debs14!   Oh yes, Facebook and Instagram, two can play at that game! But who shall I be if not Debs14? This is my opportunity to reinvent myself.  Suggestions anyone?!  More to the point, has this happened to anyone else?  Is making new accounts the only option?

ps If you are my friend on Facebook or follower on Instagram, I'm not ignoring you.  I'm not 'not liking' your photos because I don't like them and I'm not 'not commenting' on your witty and interesting statuses because I don't think they are witty or interesting.  I'm in hiding because  ... according to them - I don't exist.

10 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Go ahead, reinvent yourself. That will show FB you are not someone they can mess around with. Good luck!

humel said...

Aw, poor you! Wonder why they've got it in for you at the moment? Is there an imposter out there giving you the blame for their antics? Or is this an elaborate cover up for the fact that you're the one getting up to the antics, and all this protested innocence is a front?! ;)

Good luck sorting it out one way or another.... (If it's any consolation, most of our computer gadgets chose the last few days to play up too, but I think I've given most of them what for now!)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Oh how frustrating! I checked and I still see you in my Instagram feed. Hmmm...

I will miss Debs14, but I'm curious to see what you reinvent yourself to be. Kinda' cool to make a new start!

Maria Ontiveros said...

This happened to my husband.
So frustrating!
I think you should be cocodeb.
Rinda

scrappyjacky said...

Or how about 'the artist formerly known as Debs14'
Hmmm....you certainly have upset the cyber gods....they even tried to stop me posting this comment!!!!

Alison said...

I like Rinda's suggestion of 'cocodeb'...but it ISa blasted nuisance when things like that happen!
Alison xx

Anonymous said...

How exciting reinventing yourself. I think I am going to reinvent myself into a 5' 10 leggy 30 year old blond. Will I be able to convince everyone else that I am what I see in my head rather than what they see with their eyes?

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Facebook is the worst for customer help & now they own Instagram so it's all tied up in bad service.

I tend to be non creative when I can't use my Stacey42 id. I become Stacey 43 or Stacey52, though 95% of the time the existing Stacey42 is me and I just forgot I had already signed up.

Rhona said...

Oh what a pain! Reinventing yourself could be fun - can't wait to see who you become ;)

Sian said...

I hope you get it all sorted out soon..I'm low on helpful suggestions because I'm a bit of a social networking dinosaur: I find facebook overwhelming and I'm a bit scared of Instagram too