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New Ning Dashboard (Manage Panel) - What Are Your Thoughts?

First, let me announce: I've added a new Forum Category called "Join The Conversation". This Category will be used for Forum Discussions that may lead to heated discussion and debate. Now there are two Admin Categories on JenSocial Forums - - one for Announcements and one for Conversation. Naturally I have made the Announcements Category for Admin only. And, for now I have set the Join the Conversation for Admin. only. If you think I should open it to all, I will be happy to change it. Just let me know.

So tell me, what do you think about the new Ning Dashboard (Manage Panel)? I've been trying to use it all day, and as much as I hate to complain, I don't like it, at all. Like I've already stated on Ning's Creator site, maybe I'm just set in my ways. Is it that I use the dashboard so much that the new orientation (side links) has me all off-balance? It really throws me.

This is what I just wrote on Creators in this Discussion:
Sorry Ning. The new manage panel is maddening. It took me 10 minutes to find out how to add a new Category to a Forum - - good grief. And, it may not be that far off from the old. But since the orientation is totally different, it is completely discombobulating - - for me at least.

I hope you all hear me. I'm the kind of person who can catch on quickly, and don't mind change for the most part. If I'm confused, not good.

For anyone who needs to add a Forum Category: Manage/Settings/Features/Forum

I'm trying to decipher if the links are the same. Are they? If so, I'll just go by URL, instead of this panel.

I've been designing software for 20+ years. I just don't get this. Why go from a lovely Web2.0 look with easy icons, to a "smushed" up side panel with old fashioned links that you have to drill down over and over to get to where you want to go?

Best Regards,
Jen

UPDATE - GREAT NEWS!
Ning has made the statement that they are working on giving us an option to use the old Manage Panel!

What are your thoughts? Join the Conversation!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 9:18pm

Hey I cant even access my Dashboard. Nothing happens..

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 9:19pm

Do you see a Manage tab?

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Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 9:24pm

Not much of a "Manage Tab" all that is there is "My Network". I can access it but not all the features are there. I wanted to see these new apps that we have.

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Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 9:19pm

As for the "Smushed up" Side profile? Nope!! Don't like it.. I like the original look. Its much easier to find things. Where arethe links to the Apps and E-commerce? They dont show up for me..

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 9:28pm

I'm still trying to get used to it.
Here's what I see:
Under Tools, you'lll find flickr, facebook and twitter, and on the Ning Apps - - I can't EVEN tell you. LOL! Can you believe it?

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Permalink Reply by Magic Happens on July 20, 2010 at 9:21pm

l do not like it too much because it is different. l am a icon nut and l miss the icons, have not mess with it too much but it does call for getting use to knowing it.

l miss the old way.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 9:26pm

With the icons I could pop-in to a Spanish, French, or any language based site, make a quick edit and on my way. Now, that will be terribly difficult to do.

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Permalink Reply by Friends of Angela Lansbury - Bet on July 20, 2010 at 9:22pm

I am so glad I downgraded my account. I don't want the headache.

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Permalink Reply by Bonnie Pelton's Web on July 20, 2010 at 9:25pm

dont like it either , no manage on the dashboard!

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Permalink Reply by Lex Smith on July 20, 2010 at 9:26pm

I liked the old look better much easier to navigate. I ended up making a tab for the broadcast message for my admins, so it would be easier to find. It does take me longer to find what I am looking for on the new dashboard.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 9:33pm

Yep, me too.

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Permalink Reply by Neuerotica on July 20, 2010 at 9:33pm

The "Manage" tab has been renamed "My Network", I've returned it to it's previous moniker. I don't have a problem with it, except for the missing icons as Fantasyland has pointed out. I need my icons.

The new Manage page also seems to be causing a lot of confusion. I can't tell you how many questions I fielded on Creators today from nc's who can't find this function or the other! I think I answered more questions there than Ning. LOL