Ouch. Sounds like WP isn't allowing access to the database, based on a permissions issue with the "About the author" plugin.

Permissions on the database, or on the filesystem? That looked like a file access error.

Because of the way Flash interacts with the ALSA driver, it will hang my browser to the point where I have to open a terminal and kill the browser with extreme prejudice (simple kill won't work).

Wow, I've never had it that bad, never even had to resort to the terminal. But like I said, I usually don't run the flash plugin, especially now that I can get all my YouTube videos through Totem.

I hadn't heard that before, I have no sound problems and I'm using ALSA with my built-in Intel. Mostly my problem with flash is that it either makes Firefox consume 100% of my CPU, or crashes it. Mostly I just run with Flashblock, so it doesn't bother me.

It's not a sound problem, per se, Michael. Because of the way Flash interacts with the ALSA driver, it will hang my browser to the point where I have to open a terminal and kill the browser with extreme prejudice (simple kill won't work). I can still use flash on a one-only basis, so, in Opera, I just turn off the plugins via the quick preferences menu, then turn them on when I want to really see something. The bug is pretty well described at the link, and it seems to infect all flavors of Linux.

"You don't have permission to access /wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/joyner_bio_80x80.png on this server."

Ouch. Sounds like WP isn't allowing access to the database, based on a permissions issue with the "About the author" plugin.

"You don't have permission to access /wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/joyner_bio_80x80.png on this server."

Seems like a permissions thingy.

Is that the problem you're seeing or is there another one?

Linux Flash has problems centering on the ALSA sound driver. There are workarounds that are spelled kludge.

I hadn't heard that before, I have no sound problems and I'm using ALSA with my built-in Intel. Mostly my problem with flash is that it either makes Firefox consume 100% of my CPU, or crashes it. Mostly I just run with Flashblock, so it doesn't bother me.

What Operating System are you using?

Linux / Ubuntu has an issue with firefox and flash files.

Linux Flash has problems centering on the ALSA sound driver. There are workarounds that are spelled kludge. You can follow the "progress" of the resolution of the bug here. There doesn't seem to be a problem if you use a dedicated sound card rather than onboard sound (and so don't use the ALSA driver).

As to James's bleg...well, I use Opera on Linux, but I also use it on my wife's XP box. I recommend giving it a try. I've never encountered the problem James mentions with the Windows version of Opera.

Linux / Ubuntu has an issue with firefox and flash files.

Should read: Flash has issues with Linux/Ubuntu. Or, just that Flash has issues in general.

I'm thinking your problem is along those lines somewhere.

I suspect, tight as your CSS is on this site,(And your CSS is valid, too... I've checked) you're looking at an undocumented feature, involving the interplay with the CSS and the browser.

That said, I'm running 3.x at home, and have not noted the problem you're talking about, your site or mine. Are you running "gears" in your browser?

Try your browser with other Wordpress blogs.

I haven't noticed it elsewhere. Then again, I haven't done anything unusual at OTB that would/should have sparked this, either.