We were having problems with our server last week for a few days and there was a period yesterday for a few hours when I actually got this myself during testing because the server was not responding quickly enough – but I think 99% of the time it should be fine. We have no other users commenting on such as problem.

It needs to ping the server just to validate version data to ensure that WP is at the right version for the SP version etc.

If you are really getting this on every attempt then I would surmise that your host is not allowing the outbound calls for some reason and if that is the case then it is going to be a little stifling running an active WP site I would have thought. But if it continues then I think you need to ask your hosting support about it…

just to add, you can also download and try the core simple press plugin already…  just not the add on plugins…  also, you can try our demo site which has numerous of the add on plugins running there…  link to demo site is in our sidebar…

where can we download and try the core simple press plugin as I am still getting the error

error? what error?

as always, you can get the core plugin from our store at:  https://simple-press.com/downloads/simple-press-core-plugin/