FAQ: AskWoody, Windows Secrets, Subscriptions and ongoing database clashes

This morning’s release of the first AskWoody Plus Newsletter has brought a flood of questions. I’m answering them all at CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com, but there are some recurring themes that I figure deserve a FAQ. I’ll update this list as the questions roll in.

Q: What’s happening?

We’re taking the Windows Secrets Newsletter subscriber list, which is indexed by email address, and moving it to a much more stable email system known as MailChimp. (The homegrown Windows Secrets Newsletter system was notoriously unstable, as many of you will attest.) At the same time, we’re using a WordPress add-in to manage subscriptions. The WordPress add-in depends on AskWoody usernames.

We’re sending out newsletters to both (1) folks who had Windows Secrets Newsletter accounts and (2) folks who have the new AskWoody Plus accounts. It’s dueling database time.

Q: Will you honor my payment to Windows Secrets?

Yes. Absolutely.

Q: I paid by PayPal, but it said I was set up for recurring payments.

PayPal and the AskWoody ordering system have a weird relationship. When you make a donation, PayPal sets up an automatic payment, pays the bill, then immediately discontinues the automatic payment. It makes no sense, but that’s how it works.

If you check your PayPal account, there won’t be a recurring payment.

I receive email notifications each time the auto payment is set up, when the account is charged, and when auto payment is turned off. If you’re concerned that PayPal has you on the hook for auto-renewals, write to me at CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com and tell me your PayPal account name (usually your email address). I’ll look it up just to make sure.

I apologize. I’m seriously thinking about dropping PayPal support for just this reason!

Q: I have an active Windows Secrets subscription, but I’m getting renewal notices.

Usually that’s because the WSN data coming in isn’t complete. Any number of possible causes. The best solution, though, is to get you manually moved over to AskWoody.com, and pick up your subscription from there. Once you’ve registered here — you need an email address different from the one you use for Windows Secrets — write to me at CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com and we can make the switch manually.

I hope to have an automated way to do all of that shortly. Will keep you posted.

Q: When I went to register on AskWoody, I was notified that my email address was already in use. How do I get around this?

The email address you use for the Windows Secrets Newsletter has been moved over to the AskWoody user database. Dueling databases. The easiest solution is to register on this site (use the Register link in the upper right corner) using any different email address you have. You’ll need to respond to a verification email sent to that different address.

Once you’ve registered here, you can change your email address to anything you like. To change your email address (or password, for that matter), click on your picture in the upper right corner of this page, then click on Edit. 

Q: I have a lifetime Windows Secrets Newsletter subscription. How do I get it switched over?

Gotcha covered. With a lifetime subscription, you’ll get the AskWoody Plus Newsletters forever, but switching over to a Plus Membership (yes, lifetime, for free) will get you all of the new benefits. It’ll go faster if you first Register on this site and set up a username. Then write to me at CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com with your AskWoody username and we can make the switch manually.

Q: I created an AskWoody username that’s the same as my Windows Secrets Newsletter username — which is to say, an email address.

Not a good idea. Using your email address as a username means that any time you post on AskWoody, everybody can see your email address — and that’s not good for a zillion reasons.

Best bet is to register a new AskWoody username (don’t use an email address!) using any different email address you have. You’ll need to respond to a verification email sent to that different address.

Once you’ve registered here, you can change your email address to anything you like. To change your email address, click on your picture in the upper right corner of this page, then click on Edit. 

Q: What do Windows Secrets loungers use for user name and password for accessing AskWoody? I tried my Windows Secrets user name and password, and it doesn’t work!

We haven’t yet migrated the Windows Secrets Lounge over to the AskWoody Lounge. That’ll be another huge effort, with two additional dueling databases.

Just to add to the fun ‘n games, the Windows Secrets Lounge passwords won’t carry over to the AskWoody site. They’re incompatible – and I wouldn’t want to be moving passwords around anyway.

For now, feel free to register a new account on AskWoody. Ultimately, when we move the Windows Secrets Lounge over to AskWoody, I hope to have a relatively simple way to combine your old account with your new account.

Q: Wait a sec. You’re covering CustomerSupport@AskWoody.com?

Yep. I learned a long time ago that the best way to understand a system is to respond to questions and complaints. Until the dust settles, I’m tackling all of the questions personally. I really believe in this project.