Originally Posted by
hsmall
I accept the error in having engaged with this lot in the first place...but this simply should not be so difficult.
Agreed, the fact is it reliably will be this difficult or even impossible -- hence the error you accept is an error! The next error is to expect to find a way to make it reasonable. You might get very lucky but fact is repeated troubles of the kind you are getting is vastly more likely and none of us can help you change that reality.