Alternative Solutions to Ning

Apparently this site allows us NC's to come over http://www.spruz.com/ Im about to check them out.

spruz better then wackwall and webs. but l was hoping ning will be offering a cheaper package deal. freebie account here is like saying 'we ain't notin but poor folks' and that is what l am. l want to be a part of ning, so l will be hanging in here until ning shut us out, if l lose my ning site, l will be leaving all ning sites.Creators do not want to be members, that is why thet created their own ning site.

l will still look around and see what is out there.

When you want to offer a solution, it would good to create a discussion with that title. For example, a discussion called - - Spruz.com may be a good alternative.

Just a suggestion,
Jen

Or maybe a discussion called:
List of Possible Ning Alternatives, with links to various Social Networking sites.
;-)

Thanks For Inviting Me, Jen!

Always a pleasure, Joe.
;-)

Thanks for your input, Charles.
:-)

Has anyone heard how much it would cost to switch to paid here? i checked out Spruz and it did look pretty good

This is a positive step to look at alternatives and a bit ahead of the curve.
I would explore other alternatives but suggest that we wait a bit before making any moves. We do not yet know what Ning's pricing options will be which it may even be a better deal than those of us are paying now. And they do mention additional features in the notice email. And, if Ning gives network creators an option to move their members to another network host it may be to a specific host or hosts. So moderation should be the rule for now but being prepared is always best. However, I will "lock up" my name at all potential networks for the time being.

NOW, JEN and all of you, did you read what the creator of wackwall is writing about, that he saw this coming and that NING needs to use advertisers and not secure that we alone own our content - and with causes some of our members care about, the loss is bigger, and advertisers my like it, as many websites are real nice or valued, with artistic work and efforts we can not pay for - so yes, to save Ning we can allow advertisers area- added to or taken from our work already online...

Hi Mike,
Yeah, I read that about wackwall.
I'm anxious for the free networks, to hear the entire plan - - what constitutes a premium, timeline for phasing out, etc...
Best to you,
Jen

l am saying as long as l can to see what happens in the two weeks notice. l am going to miss everyone,if tears were money, l could pay for everyone's site right now. l love yo all. And Jen, l will wait and not close this page out now.

Thank you everyone for your awesome input. I believe this Group will help many people. BTW, see new discussion by JP of Skins4Ning. He has provided several solid choices (all free), with details.
Best,
Jen

I have a site on webs - although nice at the first glance, in time I realized that Ning offers more flexibility ... this is why I am here, but did never quit webs nevertheless...

I have had invites to Gather.com, webs.com, and sprutz.com. I have tried the first two and like them.

Wow, Janettee and R3TRO, great information you all have provided. Thank you so much. I know this will help many fellow Ning Network Creators!
Best,
Jen

Does anyone know how much time to migrate to another type of social network before they close down the Free nings?

Spruz is free the only reason for the extra is if you want your own domain name.

Live Laugh and Love To Shop,
Your question: "Does anyone know how much time to migrate to another type of social network before they close down the Free nings?"
No, I don't think anyone knows the details yet. As soon as I hear a word, I'll announce to everyone.
Best,
Jen

All these other sites will eventually charge after you have put a lot of work into them, and they will also reduce free storage and bandwith, as I expect Ning to eventually do as well. They are not much use and I have tried them all. Wait and see what Ning charges will be, compare them to other sites for price and quality of what you get and seriously consider the effort you have put into your networks and if you are committed enough to pay a small fee. After all, if you tried to set up a Network on the internet on your own with the features you get with Ning, it would cost you an awful lot more. I have been expecting this Ning move for a long time.
I would however advise all Network Creators to copy and save their members email addresses in the event of their site disappearing, so that at least you will have those addresses from which to invite people to any new site you create.

Yep That's right

I just survived breast cancer that is why I was on Ning sites because of my illness. I have limited income due to disability status. I would like to stay on Ning but I really need a clear picture of the costs to make any decisions. I am not a computer expert and really struggled to build my sites. I need to know what I am going to be charged and if I am suppose to charge my members. I need to know my options. I got rid of my credit cards due to illness. I always pay bills at the first of the month by check. I do not understand the concept of exporting my sites. Wouldn't that violate the contract with Ning and or copyright? I am very confused. Please explain clearly I am disabled. Karin Teresa Fain

No because in a way they nixed our so call contract by doing away with the free sites. I don't think they realize what they have done instead of getting more advertising they decide to nix free site. I say the heck with them and their contract!

Oisin,
Good points.

Karin Teresa,
No one knows yet, the details. Stay posted. When we hear anything, we'll let you know.

Best,
Jen

I love your sense of humor Doug.

Actually it is Yuku.com

Yes ! I would love to still be a creator on ning but, I do for for other plus run my own sites for free. I am disable from a stroke. I can not afford to play ning to have a site. Ning is a good social bond of friends but, they have gotten' too big for there britches !! There are other free site as well.

http://multiply.com

I am on Miltiply as wheels06010 look me up doug

I love the "look" of Yuku.

Hey Alan, How long have you been on Spruz? Do you like it?

I have found this site YUKU.COM
You can also create themes it has CSS html codes

I am also on spruz, webs.com, gather.com.

Come on and check out my site http://countryroads.wackwall.com/

Gamers should check out Enjin It's a great gaming site devoted to only gaming, guilds & Clans.

Grouply Welcomes Ning Networks: Migrate Ning Network to a Free Grouply Social Group
With Ning terminating its free service, Grouply is offering a comprehensive, free alternative. A “social group” on Grouply provides much of the same functionality as a Ning network, including a customizable community website, discussion forums, and more. Custom branding and full-service set-up and design are also available.


http://www.grouply.com/

I wouldn't use Grouply.com if I were you. It stoled alot of yahoo ids to use for spam.
http://www.ncs-tech.org/?p=1146

This explains it all. And suggests you stay away from Grouply.

Good Idea.

Have a look at BIG TENT also posted in Links to Possible Alternative Solutions to Ning
Pretty similar to this platform. Have a look
Cheers

Deborah
Administrator
Dreamcatchers {{{ HUGS }}}

BigTent looks good.

I am confused by these other sites. I attempted to get on Yuku and Grou.ps. They are very confusing to me not like Ning at all. I do not even know how to cancel the sites I attempted to create. Very confusing! The only one I could figure out was Spuz. If someone knows how to delete my sites from Yuku and Grou.ps please tell me. I have looked and I can not figure out how to leave these sites.

at Yuku looks like you can sign up with fb, google logins. Depending how you signed up look for your account link. There should be one. Click delete account when you find the page or go to yuku's support, they should have something there. As for grou.ps.com I would assume the same.

Thankyou! I will try.

I thought this might interest a few who are not happy about losing your free site, a petition to keep .ning free

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/ning4free/sign

I tried different options and am currently trying www.spruz.com but I am not happy with it. It is not as user friendly as .ning

DEAR LIGHT SOULS,
I WAS ON NING AS FREE DURING TWO YEARS WITH MY NETWORK -
WWW.LOVEANDLIGHTWORLD.NING.COM....
NOW ABOVE 1500 MEMEBERS...
AFTER GREAT YESTERDAY´S SHOCKING - IN SHOCK IN STRESS AND IN DEEPEST SADNESS... FIRST I IMMEDIATELY TO CREATE MY NEW TWIN WORLD ON WWW.TRUNITY.NET
WWW.TRUNITY.NET/LOVEANDLIGHTWORLD
AND I AM TRANSFERRING ALL MY MATERIAL STE P BY STEP THERE... BECAUSE FOR ME ALL MY GREAT SPIRITUAL JOB WOULD BE LOST.... AFTER I CREATED PREMIUM SERVICE MINMUM - 10 USD FOR MY WORLD ON NING ... I DONT KNOW WHAT WILL BE... BUT IN THIS PRESENT WORLD IS NOT ONLY LIGHT, SIMPLE SPIRITUAL SOULS ETC.... BUT ALSO ANOTHER WORLD ORIENTED ON ANOTHER VALUE... I DONT KNOW IN WHICH WAY NING AND ALL WILL GO THEREFORE I HAVE TO HAVE SOME HOME - FREE HOME NOW - TRUNITY, ONLY FOR 50 MEMBERS WITHOUT CHARGE.... REALLY I HAVE TO BACKED.... BECAUSE I LOST ON NING ON MANY NETWORKS MY GREAT SPIRITUAL INFO AND I DONT WANT THIS IS AGAIN REPEATED...PLS APOLOGIZE MY BAD ENGLISH...I AM FROM CZECH REPUBLIC....RAMSIEL

P.S. DURING MY LIFE I WAS LEARNING - I HAVE TO BELIEVE ONLY MYSELF , MY SPIRIT AND MY INTUITION......
RAMS LIGHT HUGS

PLS KEEP HOPE FAITH AND LIGHT

“For Ning customers that choose to move onto the IGLOO community platform, this will mark the second significant community migration that we’ve completed over the last few months,” said Dan Latendre, CEO of IGLOO Software. “We have moved a number of communities from other competing technology platforms, so we know what it means to deal with large-scale data imports. And in response to Ning’s closed API, we are currently building a tool that will allow a simple way for current Ning users to take their content to an IGLOO community.”

Has anyone tried this?

http://www.igloosoftware.com/free?ref=Ning

Isn't IGLOO a cost site and not for regular social networking and just for business networks?

Found this site http://thatstoday.com/#

I am learning about spruz,com and the problem I have is that it cuts off some of my uploaded photos for some reason. I would be glad to discuss and learn how to navigate Spruz with others on this site. I added Path of the Craft as a friend so we can discuss spruz. I am not a computer expert infact I muddle through a lot. I will share what I have figured out about spruz etc.

I just got on Spruz last night and do not have the answers about how to add these things yet. I am also interested in visual ideas since I am a fine art site. It might take me a while to figure these things out on Spruz. If you add me as a friend on Spruz we can share what we figure out. I usually keep my sites simple so not as to take away from the art work. I do use banners and would like to change how things look the layout and appearance of the pages. It is trial an error for me. I want to add slide shows and clear photos. I am not sure about magical graphics since this is something that might take away from fine art images. I like the visual effects that sites like Path of the Crafts mentions. I do not know how to add these yet. I do not need this feature but understand how important it is to her site. If I find out anything about it I will share what I know. Banner making might be easier to figure out.