PayPal users still stranded as site glitch continues

Computerworld - A routine monthly code update performed Friday for the PayPal.com online payment Web site has caused havoc for users, many of whom have managed to access the site only intermittently since the changes were made, according to the company.
In an update posted today on eBay.com, which owns PayPal Inc., PayPal said the problems were apparently caused by the new code base, which was meant to update the site Friday.
"The code worked well when tested and during the first hours of launch," the statement said. "Unfortunately, problems handling peak levels of traffic developed later in the day that created intermittent availability and errors for members. These problems have continued in varying degrees."
Sara Bettencourt, a spokeswoman for San Jose-based PayPal, said that the company doesn't know how many users have been affected by the service disruption but that it doesn't believe all of its customers were experiencing problems.
"From what we've heard, some people have been able to access their accounts," she said. "We don't have any ways to assess the numbers." Some users are experiencing slow access, while others are unable to reach the site, she added.
PayPal and eBay technical support personnel have been working around the clock since Friday to try to resolve the problems, but there is no time frame for when repairs will be made, Bettencourt said.
The type of coding error is not being disclosed, nor would Bettencourt comment on which software language the code uses.
PayPal.com has about 50 million user accounts, including about 15.5 million that are active, she said.
Asked why the site hasn't chosen to roll back the update to when the software was working properly, Bettencourt said that it would be a complex process and that the technicians are instead focused on repairing the problem.
In its statement, PayPal said that "account data and personal information have not been compromised by these issues."
The company apologized to buyers and sellers who were unable to complete their payment transactions over the weekend.
"We understand the PayPal site issues may be impacting many of you and your ability to do business with PayPal on and off eBay, and we apologize for this situation," the statement said.
A Virginia-based eBay seller, who asked that his name not be used, said he wasn't sure whether the PayPal.com glitches reduced his sales over the weekend. But he noted that the upgrade problems are reminiscent of frustrating glitches he has experienced with eBay.com site changes that were touted as "improvements."
"EBay would change formats