This seems to be a simple problem but the solution seems to elusive for me. I am unable to change the permalinks to SEO friendly custom structure with the post name in the URL ending. Not that I didn't try changing the .htaaccess and permission to full 777 but in vain. I have scored the internet for help and did whatever appeared to be right but still the problem persists. I appreciate all help. Thanks
Well, I tried adding the code /%postname%/ to the custom permalinks field and it worked for one of the blogs only. Wonder how could this happen when I use version 2.8 for all the blogs
You don't need to bother with the .htaccess just to make a custom permalink structure, it's already a function in your settings. Odds are if you change to .htaccess to behave differently, you will override the functions already in wordpress.
Sometimes hosts won't let you edit files through WordPress for security reasons, so generating a custom WordPress permalink structure (which creates an .htaccess file with the redirect rules) may pose a problem. If this is the case, and WordPress is unable to generate an .htaccess file automatically, it will give you the rules to copy and paste into your .htaccess file in your blog's root directory. Do you have problems editing themes and plugins directly from your WordPress admin as well?
Strangely, I noticed the .htaccess file in that problematic blog to be hugely different from what WP prompted to be. (I have attached it here, I would like an analysis of this and whether it was undesirable to have changed it to WP prompt). Now it's working after changing it. I don't know whether it is right. hmansfield and fish Ultimately it is because of your suggestions that I could do it. Thanks to both of you. @fish, no problems as such with editing of themes.
you know that there are the security issues with all versions 2.8.4 and below, you might be breached! Wordpres did an official announcement, and ive been reading it around everywhere. just updated all my blogs 2.8.4 last night