Comment Email Responder Plugin
Tagged Under : Blog
Well… I was really wanting to get this plugin, the Comment Email Responder, installed and working. Because it is such a neat idea to be able to reply to comments not only by email, but also on the comment itself. And then have an email sent to the commenter.
So I was looking at it a little bit. I installed it on all three of my blogs. On two it was working great. But on this blog, Luna Tail, I didn’t see the little icon I was supposed to be seeing when I viewed comments.
So off to PHP land I went and looked at the code. The code contains an if statement that looks to see if the user is level 10. If so, it displays the envelope. If not, it falls out of the if statement.
I displayed some of the variables, and I found that my admin login ID did not display a 10. I went and created a new user, and gave her admin status, and logged in through IE and guess what? New user had a 10.
So off to the database I went. There is an entry in the usermeta table called wp_user_level. My new user had this entry in the DB, and it was set to 10. But my admin user did not have this entry in the DB at all.
So I went to w3schools, where I always have to go for SQL because I don’t use it enough to remember SQL sytax, and got an insert line to add this field to that table in the DB, for my admin user (user 1), and give it a value of 10. Viola, works like a dream.
Now I can see the envelope icon on this blog and use the comment email responder. Woo Hoo!
I love code. I love PHP. It’s too much fun to work in. 
I don’t do it nearly enough.
NOTE: Read comments for further information about this fix.
[tags]comment email responder, wordpress, plugins, wordpress plugins[/tags]
I wish I understood this. LOL I looked in my DB under wp-usermeta, and there is no table for user_level. I’m totally confuzzled. Oh, and btw, when you upload the plugin, do you simply upload the whole folder to your plugins folder, or do you place the graphic in its own file and the plugin in the main plugins folder? As you can see, I really need help with this one!!! lol
I wish I understood this. LOL I looked in my DB under wp-usermeta, and there is no table for user_level. I'm totally confuzzled. Oh, and btw, when you upload the plugin, do you simply upload the whole folder to your plugins folder, or do you place the graphic in its own file and the plugin in the main plugins folder? As you can see, I really need help with this one!!! lol
He he no worries, I will try to explain a bit better. And use the comment email responder to do it!
When you look at your database (usually through phpMyAdmin, that is what I use) you will see your databases listed to the left. If you click your WP database (probably called _wordpress) the screen will reload and you will see a list of the tables inside the DB.
Like you said, you click on wp_usermeta. The page reloads again and on the right, bigger side of the page, you’ll see a list of all the fields in the table. This list does not show you the value of the fields. Just the field names.
If you click on Browse (upper area) the screen will reload again and you’ll see the values of the fields inside the table.
There are four fields in the table: umeta_id, user_id, meta_key, and meta_value
The umeta_id is the key field. It does nothing but count how many rows are in that table. You will need to know what the highest number is in this field for your fix.
The user_id is the number of your user id. (for admin it is probably 1, but to make sure, check the wp_users table to find it).
The meta_key is the name of the field we are interested in. If there is not a field called ‘wp_user_level’ for your user_id, that is the problem.
The meta_value of the wp_user_level for your user_id has to be 10 for this plugin to work.
Don’t you love jargon?
I hope this is understandable.
Anyway, in order to get the 10 in there for your user_id, you can click the Insert button at the top of this table (it’s right of the Browse button). The screen will refresh and bring you up an empty form to fill in.
This is where you needed to know the highest number of umeta_id. Because this is a key field you cannot have 2 values the same in this field. Add 1 to the highest number, and use that for that field.
The user_id is the user id of your admin user.
The meta_key is wp_user_level
And the meta_value is 10
These all go in the Value field (leave the Function field blank).
Click GO. Hopefully you won’t get an error message. And then the plugin should work!
He he no worries, I will try to explain a bit better. And use the comment email responder to do it!
When you look at your database (usually through phpMyAdmin, that is what I use) you will see your databases listed to the left. If you click your WP database (probably called _wordpress) the screen will reload and you will see a list of the tables inside the DB. Like you said, you click on wp_usermeta. The page reloads again and on the right, bigger side of the page, you'll see a list of all the fields in the table. This list does not show you the value of the fields. Just the field names. If you click on Browse (upper area) the screen will reload again and you'll see the values of the fields inside the table. 
There are four fields in the table: umeta_id, user_id, meta_key, and meta_value The umeta_id is the key field. It does nothing but count how many rows are in that table. You will need to know what the highest number is in this field for your fix. The user_id is the number of your user id. (for admin it is probably 1, but to make sure, check the wp_users table to find it). The meta_key is the name of the field we are interested in. If there is not a field called 'wp_user_level' for your user_id, that is the problem. The meta_value of the wp_user_level for your user_id has to be 10 for this plugin to work. Don't you love jargon? 
I hope this is understandable. Anyway, in order to get the 10 in there for your user_id, you can click the Insert button at the top of this table (it's right of the Browse button). The screen will refresh and bring you up an empty form to fill in. This is where you needed to know the highest number of umeta_id. Because this is a key field you cannot have 2 values the same in this field. Add 1 to the highest number, and use that for that field. The user_id is the user id of your admin user. The meta_key is wp_user_level And the meta_value is 10 These all go in the Value field (leave the Function field blank). Click GO. Hopefully you won't get an error message. And then the plugin should work! 
Oh, you probably want to BACKUP (use the EXPORT button in phpMyAdmin) before you do this, just in case.
DO NOT DROP or you will lose your table!
Oh, you probably want to BACKUP (use the EXPORT button in phpMyAdmin) before you do this, just in case.
DO NOT DROP or you will lose your table! 
Another option… looks like if you go to your Admin Panel, Users, select your user by checking on the box, and do a Bulk Update to Admin… the value you need should be set and perform the above fix in a much shorter way. LOL. Thanks Leigh for that info!
Another option… looks like if you go to your Admin Panel, Users, select your user by checking on the box, and do a Bulk Update to Admin… the value you need should be set and perform the above fix in a much shorter way. LOL. Thanks Leigh for that info!
omg…ok I will look into this.
omg…ok I will look into this.
There’s got to be another way for this plugin to not work. I just checked the wp_user_level values for my user_id(s) and they are all = 10, as required. Yet, although the little envelop icon shows in each response, clicking it has no effect whatsoever. I don’t know if you can see the envelop icons, but check it out (http:/SheltieTales.com)
There's got to be another way for this plugin to not work. I just checked the wp_user_level values for my user_id(s) and they are all = 10, as required. Yet, although the little envelop icon shows in each response, clicking it has no effect whatsoever. I don't know if you can see the envelop icons, but check it out (http:/SheltieTales.com)
Ahhhh…thank you so much for posting this! I was getting SO aggravated!!!
Ahhhh…thank you so much for posting this! I was getting SO aggravated!!!
I have the same problem as sheltieJim, a have the suscribe pluggin and a level 10, but the icon does not work.
I have the same problem as sheltieJim, a have the suscribe pluggin and a level 10, but the icon does not work.
Walter, do you get a javascript error when you try in IE? I have noticed that sometimes the plugin doesn’t hook into the header properly. So when you view source, you’ll see that clicking the little letter icon calls some javascript, but if that javascript is not defined in the header then it will not work and it will give you a javascript error in IE. Not sure if you get the error in FF but I have not seen the error in FF.
Just view source and look at the comment section that runs when you click the letter icon. Then see if that javascript exists in the header.
That is only one solution, though. It always could be something else.
Walter, do you get a javascript error when you try in IE? I have noticed that sometimes the plugin doesn't hook into the header properly. So when you view source, you'll see that clicking the little letter icon calls some javascript, but if that javascript is not defined in the header then it will not work and it will give you a javascript error in IE. Not sure if you get the error in FF but I have not seen the error in FF. Just view source and look at the comment section that runs when you click the letter icon. Then see if that javascript exists in the header. That is only one solution, though. It always could be something else.
Cynthia… I was having this issue, changing the user level fixed my icon, but like Walter nothing happened when I clicked… lo and behold I checked for the javascript in my header and it wasn’t there. So I stole your code *GASP* cause I wasn’t sure where to get it, and now it’s working like a charm.
Thank you so much!
Kelley’s last blog post..christmas
Cynthia… I was having this issue, changing the user level fixed my icon, but like Walter nothing happened when I clicked… lo and behold I checked for the javascript in my header and it wasn't there. So I stole your code *GASP* cause I wasn't sure where to get it, and now it's working like a charm. Thank you so much! <em>Kelley's last blog post..<a href='http://kelleyroo.com/2007/12/04/christmas/'; rel="nofollow">christmas</a></em>
This script is great. It worked fine in my main blog, but not my photoblog…
*PHEW* I ended up going through all 53 of my WP databases & fixed the user level in all of them. Thank you so much for the step by step… BTW… GREAT blog title!
As for all the people who say “nothing happened” when they clicked on the icon… Once you click on the icon, you’ll notice that a cursor appears in the text field. Just type as if you were leaving a comment. There’s no special pop up or notice.
Luna’s last blog post..I HATE FireFox With Every Fiber Of My Being
This script is great. It worked fine in my main blog, but not my photoblog… *PHEW* I ended up going through all 53 of my WP databases & fixed the user level in all of them. Thank you so much for the step by step… BTW… GREAT blog title!
As for all the people who say "nothing happened" when they clicked on the icon… Once you click on the icon, you'll notice that a cursor appears in the text field. Just type as if you were leaving a comment. There's no special pop up or notice. <em>Luna's last blog post..<a href='http://lunasrealm.com/?p=342'; rel="nofollow">I HATE FireFox With Every Fiber Of My Being</a></em>
I’m very glad this helped you! I love your name, too.
I have found the most common problem with this plugin is that the header javascript code doesn’t hook into the header properly for some reason.
I'm very glad this helped you! I love your name, too.
I have found the most common problem with this plugin is that the header javascript code doesn't hook into the header properly for some reason.
Thank you so much for posting this!
Thank you so much for posting this!
I hope it helped!
I hope it helped!
[...] The plugin assumes that your admin user is set to wp_user_level 10. While this is true in most cases, some WordPress installations mess this up. If the plugin doesn’t seem to work, check out the fix on Cynthia’s blog. [...]
[...] wynderlon Member Posted 10 months ago # I downloaded the Comment Email Responder from the website and fixed the problem with my admin not being set to 10 (per instructions here: http://www.lunatail.com/2007/05/31/comment-email-responder-plugin/) [...]
There are actually a few different ones out there. I have been giving this software a go and see how it pans out. You have a great site and i return to it ever now and then as i find the time.
This is almost perfect… WP allows you to change the prefix for the database tables and related fields as part of the install. If you have changed your prefix from wp_ to something else then you will need to substitute your new prefix for wp_ . For instance, if I chose to prefix my tables with ce instead of wp, wp_usermeta would be ce_usermeta wp_user_level would be ce_user_level
Where is the javascript code that’s supposed to be in the header?
I installed the plugin, configured it, made sure my user level is set to 10, the little envelope icon appears but clicking on it has no effect. I’ve seen screenshots of what the plugin is supposed to do, but I have yet to see the same thing.
You said… “Once you click on the icon, you’ll notice that a cursor appears in the text field. Just type as if you were leaving a comment. There’s no special pop up or notice.” But not even that happens. I tried to test it by creating another user and leaving a comment, but when I logged back in as admin and tried to reply, nothing happened.
I just went into my database and added the wp_user_level. I think I did everything correctly, but I still don’t see the email icon on my site, and now I don’t even see the name of the commenter either in Firefox (which I use). I see the commenter name in Safari, though. Weird.
I installed the plugin on another blog I manage today, and it worked perfectly upon activation.
Dawn @ My Home Sweet Homes last blog post..Looking for your 15 minutes of fame?
Hi Dawn, is the plugin putting the javascript hook into your header? View source on your home page and have a look in the header. I’ve had to sometimes put it in manually.
*confused* Checked the database, user level is set to 10. That’s good, and when signed in to either of the admin accounts we can see the text: “Reply to Comment: None” So it’s working. But the little envelop doesn’t show up on the comments. Mommy is no help as she’s never had a problem getting this to work either. Help?
Isiss last blog post..They’re Talking ‘Bout Us!
Thankyou so much, It works! I’m so delighted, thankyou!
This is what worked for me. Super fast!
“if you go to your Admin Panel > Users > Authors & Users, select your user by checking on the box, and do a Bulk Update with Administrator…
This actually updates your DB and includes the field you need with the user_level of 10.
Yippy!
Thanks for your help. works great.
linda´s last blog ..Treat Tuesday #25 – Anxiously Engaged
Thanks so much for all the help by your comments. It’s now working fine on mine, but I just wonder if it’s possible that it appears threaded as the usual response to comments? Thanks!
AC´s last blog ..Shall I Pursue Higher Education?