set up: form options tab issue

[neversaydiebeauty]

I am trying to set up Easy Mailchimp Forms. I had no problems saving the info I added on the reCaptcha Options and the Debug Options tabs, but when I opened the Form Options tab screen, there was an API number already there and an error message in red next to it. I went to my Mailchimp account and generated an API which I pasted in the box after I removed the one that gave the error message. The error message is still showing. I finished filling in the Form Options screen info, and now I don't know what to do. There are two buttons at the bottom of the screen: Save and Reset Mailchimp Settings. I tried hitting Save, but nothing happens. My only option is Reset Mailchimp Settings, and that scares me because I don't know what I'll be resetting and whether I will know how to reset it up.

Also, I already have a Mailchimp signup form in my sidebar on my homepage, but I have been deluged with spam subscribers. I read about your plugin, and I hope it will help. I am just not sure about how to set it up and integrate it with my existing Mailchimp account and subscription box.

Please tell me if I should "Reset Mailchimp Setting" and how to proceed with installing this new form instead of my current subscription form from Mailchimp. Thank you very much.

[EvanHerman]

Hi,

I would suggest removing the other subscribe box and trying again. It's best to have one mailchimp plugin active at a time. You may be getting an error from having both installed. Also, if you reset the plugin settings things go back to how they were when you installed the plugin.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

This is an addendum to my message sent 30 minutes ago.

I hit "Reseat Mailchimp Setting", but it didn't work. The Form Options page reset to the way it was when I first starting working on it. An API number that is not listed on my Mailchimp account is still in the box at the top with the red error message "Sorry, that is an invalid MailChimp API key. Please check the console for further information" next to it. I don't know where the API number that is in the box came from. When I went to my Mailchimp Account page, there was no API number listed so I generated a new one. The new one didn't work, so I disabled it, and tried to generate another one. Same problem. The API that was in the box on the Form Option screen when I first opened it with the error message next to it comes back every time. Please tell me how to proceed.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Thank you for responding, Evan. I don't know how to remove the other subscribe box since it seems to be part of the original Mailchimp plugin that contains my subscriber list. I am afraid to disable the original Mailchimp plugin because I'm afraid I'll lose my list. Also, the Easy Mailchimp Forms app seems to need an API from my Mailchimp Account so if I disable the Mailchimp plugin doesn't that go away too?

[EvanHerman]

The two plugins may be loading the same class files and conflicting with one another. You may need to uninstall the other. The api key that you are seeing is a base 64 encoded key so no one can steal your api key. It is essentially encrypted.

After you receive the invalid api key error, if you hit f12 and select console, are you seeing any errors? You can also try installed the 5.2 beta which has a more substantial error logging system for situations like this, under the debug tab.

Thanks, Evan

[TheTracyL]

Evan, if she deactivates the other MailChimp plugin it'll keep the settings, right? She could temporally deactivate it to troubleshoot and turn it back on later if she wants to go back to it?

It has been an issue in the past that more than one MailChimp plugin running at the same time has caused conflicts.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Evan, I'm sorry your reply is way beyond my capabilities. I have no idea what you mean.

Can I temporarily deactivate the original Mailchimp plugin without losing my subscriber list as TracyL suggests?

[neversaydiebeauty]

Also, if I deactivate the original Mailchimp plugin, where do I get the API key to put in the Easy Mailchimp Forms Forms Option screen?

[TheTracyL]

That you get from MailChimp. From our FAQ:

Where do I find my API Key? From your MailChimp Dashboard, click on your account name in the upper left hand corner of the screen under the MailChimp logo to expose the "Account Settings" menu. Click on "Account Settings" to go to the Account Settings screen and the click on the "Extras" menu. Under "Extras" choose "API keys." From there you can create a new key if you do not already have one.

For more help, visit the MailChimp Support article Where can I find my API Key? http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/where-can-i-find-my-api-key

[neversaydiebeauty]

Yes, I know how to do that. Thanks, Tracy. somehow I thought I had to have an activated Mailchimp plugin to get the API key.

So do you think I can deactivate my original Mailchimp plugin without losing my subscriber list. And then work on the settings for the Easy Mailchimp Forms plugin? The only reason I am installing the new plugin is that I need the captcha box for subscriptions. I am getting hit with lots of spam subscribers who are subscribing via Social Proxy for Mailchimp. Can I just disable that instead of all this?

[TheTracyL]

Is the Plugin you are using for the current MailChimp form just managing that form in the sidebar? If so, you should be able to deactivate and keep your settings. @EvanHerman, just confirm to be sure.

[neversaydiebeauty]

I deactivated my original Mailchimp plugin. Then I returned to the Easy Mailchimp Forms, Form Options screen. The API with the error message next to it was still in the box even after I refreshed the page. I tried putting in another API that I generated today and it won't take. It brings me back to this. see the image attached. I don't know what else to try. [removed for security purposes]

[TheTracyL]

Hi I removed those screen shots, because your API key is like a password and it would be dangerous to have it for folks to see on the Internet. :-) I took a screen shot and sent it directly to Evan.

[TheTracyL]

It looks like it may be a form autocomplete issue. Do you have another browser you can try?

[neversaydiebeauty]

I use Safari. I do have Firefox but I never use it. Let me bring it up. However, what is the API that is stuck in the box? an old API key?

[TheTracyL]

It may be. Our plugin may use the same field info as the other one so it is sticking the previously saved key in there thinking it is the same field. That is my guess.

[neversaydiebeauty]

OK, I brought it up via Firefox and the same API with the error message is there. What else can I try doing?

[EvanHerman]

If you'd like you can email me at evan@yikesinc.com with a temporary login and I'll look into the issue for you.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Thank you, Evan. I will do it right now!

[neversaydiebeauty]

Evan, I'm going to bed. I don't know whether you had a chance to try to fix my API key problem yet? Could you give me an update either later or tomorrow? Thank you for your help.

[EvanHerman]

Hi Neversaydiebeauty,

I never received an email from you with login credentials. If you can get me then credentials I will look right away.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

Evan, I sent it right away. Sorry it must have gotten lost on the way!

Please let me know that you received this email. Thank you!

Allison

Sent from my iPhone Allison Cohen www.neversaydiebeauty.com 978.927.2610

On Dec 9, 2014, at 7:33 AM, Evan Herman notifications@github.com wrote:

Hi Neversaydiebeauty,

I never received an email from you with login credentials. If you can get me then credentials I will look right away.

Thanks, Evan

\ Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

I just logged in and entered our test API key without any issues. The API key returned valid the first time. Can you email me at Evan@Yikesinc.com with your API key and I'll try entering that one.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

This is the API that I received yesterday since my Mailchimp said I didn’t have one: -------removed-------

Allison Cohen Never Say Die Beauty l Blog l Facebook l Twitter l Bloglovin’ l Instagram l Pinterest

On Dec 9, 2014, at 10:05 AM, Evan Herman notifications@github.com wrote:

Hi Allison,

I just logged in and entered our test API key without any issues. The API key returned valid the first time. Can you email me at Evan@Yikesinc.com with your API key and I'll try entering that one.

Thanks, Evan

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

The API key that you have just provided in the previous response returns 'Invalid'. The error response returned from MailChimp is as follows : "MailChimp API Response : Invalid MailChimp API Key".

Are you sure that you properly generated an API key?

Can you try following along with this guide: https://github.com/yikesinc/yikes-inc-easy-mailchimp-extender/wiki/Setup-Guide

That should walk you through all of the necessary steps to generate an API key. You should only have one API key active at a time on your account.

Thanks, Evan

[EvanHerman]

Edit

Sorry, I just realized when I copied it I left a space before the beginning of the API key.

Can you make sure that there is no space before or after the API key when you enter it into the API key field. I was able to enter your API key onto your site and save things. Please let me know if things are working on your end.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

So I should remove your key that’s in there now?

Allison Cohen Never Say Die Beauty l Blog l Facebook l Twitter l Bloglovin’ l Instagram l Pinterest

On Dec 9, 2014, at 10:15 AM, Evan Herman notifications@github.com wrote:

Edit

Sorry, I just realized when I copied it I left a space before the beginning of the API key.

Can you make sure that there is no space before or after the API key when you enter it into the API key field.

Thanks, Evan

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[EvanHerman]

No, that is your API key.

[TheTracyL]

At this point try to make a form.

[neversaydiebeauty]

I am confused. I got the API key on the original Mailchimp API Key generator. Should I be going through Easy Mailchimp Forms to get a key?

Allison Cohen Never Say Die Beauty l Blog l Facebook l Twitter l Bloglovin’ l Instagram l Pinterest

On Dec 9, 2014, at 10:13 AM, Evan Herman notifications@github.com wrote:

Hi Allison,

The API key that you have just provided in the previous response returns 'Invalid'. The error response returned from MailChimp is as follows : "MailChimp API Response : Invalid MailChimp API Key".

Are you sure that you properly generated an API key?

Can you try following along with this guide: https://github.com/yikesinc/yikes-inc-easy-mailchimp-extender/wiki/Setup-Guide

That should walk you through all of the necessary steps to generate an API key. You should only have one API key active at a time on your account.

Thanks, Evan

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

Please see the link that I posted above : https://github.com/yikesinc/yikes-inc-easy-mailchimp-extender/wiki/Setup-Guide

That is our setup guide on how to generate an API key over on MailChimp, and then how and where to enter it within our plugin.

Thanks, Evan

[TheTracyL]

You don't go through our plugin to get a key, you get the key from MailChimp itself, following these directions:

From your MailChimp Dashboard, click on your account name in the upper left hand corner of the screen under the MailChimp logo to expose the "Account Settings" menu. Click on "Account Settings" to go to the Account Settings screen and the click on the "Extras" menu. Under "Extras" choose "API keys." From there you can create a new key if you do not already have one.

For more help, visit the MailChimp Support article Where can I find my API Key? http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/where-can-i-find-my-api-key

Above are the directions you follow after you have gone to MailChimp.com and logged into your account.

The API key is generated by MailChimp and it provides a way for our plugin to communicate with your MailChimp account.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Tracy & Evan, that is exactly what I did. The API code is one that I generated in that manner yesterday: ce0693e0491dc2e9c5476784a80aecce-us8

I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. When that one didn’t work, I disabled it and I generated another one and got the same error message. I disabled the 2nd one I generated and enabled the first one above.

At this point, what should I try doing? This is a disaster.

Allison Cohen Never Say Die Beauty l Blog l Facebook l Twitter l Bloglovin’ l Instagram l Pinterest

On Dec 9, 2014, at 10:25 AM, Tracy Levesque notifications@github.com wrote:

You don't go through our plugin to get a key, you get the key from MailChimp itself, following these directions:

From your MailChimp Dashboard, click on your account name in the upper left hand corner of the screen under the MailChimp logo to expose the "Account Settings" menu. Click on "Account Settings" to go to the Account Settings screen and the click on the "Extras" menu. Under "Extras" choose "API keys." From there you can create a new key if you do not already have one.

For more help, visit the MailChimp Support article Where can I find my API Key? http://kb.mailchimp.com/article/where-can-i-find-my-api-key

Above are the directions you follow after you have gone to MailChimp.com and logged into your account.

The API key is generated by MailChimp and it provides a way for our plugin to communicate with your MailChimp account.

— Reply to this email directly or view it on GitHub.

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

What is it that you are having difficulties with now?

Your API Key has been entered onto your site, and saved within the plugin settings. You can now go ahead and import your lists, and place them onto your site using the provided shortcode. Go into 'MailChimp Forms > Manage List Forms' and import your form.

Once imported you can go ahead add it to a widget, page or post using the shortcode. You can get the shortcode from the manage list forms page, or you can use the provided tinymce button in the editor to generate the shortcode for you.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

The key that is in the form now is the one you put in: REMOVED

and that is showing as a valid API key. It is not the one I sent you. I don't believe I can go forward with your key, can I?

[EvanHerman]

Allison,

Please refrain from pasting your keys and passwords here. When a user gets a hold of your API key , they may as well have the password MailChimp account. With your API key, anyone could and have complete control over your MailChimp account, including but not limited too spamming your users, deleting users/lists or a slew of other activities.

To respond to your question, the API key that is currently stored in the field is your api key. As stated a few times in responses above, the API key is encrypted. Which means, what you see and what is actually stored in the database are two different things.

When your API is displayed back to you on the settings page, it is run through an algorithm to encrpyt the key prevent people from stealing your API key if they so happen to gain access to your site. We have done this for multi-user/author sites, to prevent API keys from being stolen. This is for your safety.

You will notice that when you enter a valid API key, save the page and refresh the settings page the same thing will happen.

The key in the field is your key and it is now valid for you to begin using the plugin. No further steps need to be taken on your end, other than importing your list and placing the short code in the appropriate location.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

I am sorry, Evan. I thought I was sending it in the email to your email address. Thank you for your patience. I don't understand what was wrong, but I was able to enable captcha and I have imported my list.

Last question: I want the subscription box to appear in my sidebar. Can I just paste the snippet in a text box in the sidebar or do I have to edit the code in the sidebar.php?

Thank you

[neversaydiebeauty]

I placed the code in my sidebar and it worked although the captcha box sticks out, but I can live with it. Thank you again, Evan and Tracy, for all your help. I appreciate it very much.

[TheTracyL]

We have a widget that comes with our plugin, you can use that for sidebars. Please provide a link to your form so I can see how it sticks out. I may be able to give you some CSS that fixes it. Thanks!

[neversaydiebeauty]

http://www.neversaydiebeauty.com is my site. You will see it on the homepage. Tracy, I am a real novice, as you can tell, so I'm not sure I'll know what to do with the CSS.

Last question, is it OK to reactivate my Mailchimp plugin now so I can resume sending out blogoposts to my subscriber list?

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

No worries at all. I just don't want your site or your MailChimp account to get hacked :) . Theres nothing less fun than a hacked site, and spending hours on hours fixing it.

I'm glad the snippet worked for you in the sidebar.

Note that with our plugin we do have a bundled widget, specifically for this task which might provide better results :

Also, in our next release we will be incorporating the latest version of the Captcha library which is a simple checkbox, and will most certainly prevent the Captcha box from sticking out past the sidebar container.

I will be working on getting that pushed out either by the end of the day, or early tomorrow.

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

Great! I'll wait for your update rather than trying it on my own.

Last question: is it OK to reactivate my Mailchimp plug-in so I can resume sending out campaigns/blogposts to my subscriber list???

Thanks again

[EvanHerman]

Hi Allison,

I'm not 100% sure. I'm not sure if that other MailChimp plugin uses the same class files provided by MailChimp. If they are using the same class file you'll get an error and neither plugin will work properly.

If you don't mind me asking, does that other plugin allow you to send MailChimp campaigns directly from within the plugin?

Thanks, Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

I'm not sure what you mean. I go to the Mailchimp dashboard to set up a time to send out my campaigns. Does that mean that I don't need to activate the plugin for it to send my posts?

[EvanHerman]

If you go to the MailChimp dashboard to set up and send campaigns , you don't need the other plugin installed at all. The other plugin you have installed is similar to our plugin, but ours has a bit more features packed in. Using both would be counter intuitive as each perform similar tasks, and they would most likely end up conflicting with each other.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Great! That answered my question. So I guess I can delete the Mailchimp plugin and its files too?

[EvanHerman]

Yea, you can successfully delete the other plugin with out any adverse effects to your site now that you have our plugin installed and set up properly.

[neversaydiebeauty]

Wonderful. And thanks again for all your help!

[EvanHerman]

No problem at all! Keep an eye out for the next release. It has tons of new features included and a lot of re-worked code.

Also, if you run into any other issues or have any questions, please feel free to reach back out to use. We're always here to help in any way we can!

Thanks! Evan

[neversaydiebeauty]

I will. thanks again :)