My site is not live – suggestions anyone?!

Try renaming any index.html file in your domain root folder.

What should I be renaming it to?

also, which problem is this addressing? The not being able to see my blog live on line or the not being able to install a theme?
thanks so much,
Melissa

Rename it something like index-old.html. This should deactivate the domain holding page that I assume you’re currently seeing and allow you to see your WP site.

With regard to the theme download problems you’re having, you might want to have a word with your hosts. They could possibly be restricting the creation of temporary files. In the meantime, I can only suggest that you install themes manually by downloading them to your computer, unpacking the archive and uploading the theme’s folder to wp-content/themes using FTP (or whatever file management application your host provides).

Thanks. That was helpful, but unfortunately renaming the file didn’t help. Not sure what I should do….this is a stupid question, but because the software is uploaded to my host, anything that I work on from the dashboard should update automatically right? I don’t have to FTP the work that I’ve done?

anything that I work on from the dashboard should update automatically right?

Correct. And I can see your WordPress site just fine.

Try emptying your browser cache. This should ensure that your web browser fetches a fresh copy of the page rather than serving up an out-dated copy from your own cache.

ah! I can see it now! It must have taken a while to load or something!
Thanks so much for your help!!!

one final question….my host would like to charge me additional $$ to provide me with SSH so that I can change my user and group names in order to UNrestrict temporary files from being uploaded. It’s the worst provider I’ve ever been with…
I’m just wondering if I need to do this if I manually upload my plugins, themes and any pictures into the blog?
My guess is no…..

Correct – you won’t need it to upload themes, plugins etc. Where you might find it annoying is when it’s time to upgrade a theme/plugin – or even WordPress itself. You’re still going to have to go down the manual route instead of being able to use a 1-click upgrade.

ok. good to know. I’ve manually downloaded themes and a plugin and it was pretty easy. What I couldn’t figure out was how to upload a picture for the header, or insert a pic into text…I PROMISE this is my last question, but is that possible as well? Maybe it’s just worth the $50 extra they want to get the SSH

The exact process of inserting a new image into your header is going to differ from theme to theme. You might be better off posting separately about that in the Themes & Templates form. Make sure to include a link to your site so that anyone who answers can give you specific instructions.

I’m unsure as to whether your host’s restriction will affect your ability to upload & insert images into posts/pages via WordPress. It may not have any effect at all. All I can suggest is try it and see what happens. You can always post a new topic in the HowTo & Troubleshooting forum if you encounter any further problems,

Thanks so much esmi. I really appreciate all your help. I bit the bullet and bought the SSH add on. We’ll see what happens…at least it’s finally up and I can start adding stuff!
m

Good luck with the new site. ??