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In the midst of the Ning Storm, What’s Your Next Move?

In the midst of the Ning Storm, What’s Your Next Move? We would love to hear from you.

On April 15, 2010, the new CEO (Jason Rosenthal) of Ning Social Networks made a fairly shocking announcement: Ning will start "phasing out free Ning Networks". ...more

In the past 2 years, Ning has become one of the Industry leaders in Social Community platforms - - enabling just about anyone to create a free Social Network of their own - - with members and a full featured Online Community.

This has been a devastating blow for a lot of small networks who can't possibly see their way clear, to pay a monthly service fee. And some of this is not just affordability to a lot of Network Creators who own free sites, but accountability and principle - - doing the right thing. Many of the free sites have been built-up over years, with more passion than one can possibly imagine. There are free sites on just about any topic imaginable - - sites like: family sites, school sports, art, environmental, church, support sites, educational sites, sites for: pets, helping find abducted children, memorial, and tons of grass-roots type causes and non-profit sites. So, it has been a shocking experience for many. And, it's not over yet.

On the other side of the coin, simply stated: for most Ning Network Owners already paying for premium services, this is a relief and great news. Especially in regards to adding more value to their Networks - - the New Ning will possibly mean a true white label, less cross-breeding, and a chance to present Social Networks as their "own", as a real independent business, instead of "just another Ning". There are a lot of Advertisers that will not buy Ad Space from Ning Networks. It's just a fact. But, that should change too.

A lot has happened since the first announcement. For one, following the 2nd announcement on April 16, 2010 - - the much awaited Premium Package/Plans were announced on May 4, 2010. ...more

There have been tons of heated discussions going on, here on the Directory, Ning's Creator site, Spruz sites like the new Ning Refugees, and discussions taking place all over the Internet from TechCrunch to the Times. There has been a lot of screaming, loss of sleep, and even petitions. News headlines have been hopping with news about Ning, both positive and negative. Ning Competitors have been working overtime, making platform plans, changes, press releases etc...trying to offer the free Ning Networks a new home for those who can't stay on Ning.

Network Creators of free Ning Networks have been scrambling, trying to figure out what's next. So, what happens to networks whose owners don’t want to pay, can't pay, or don’t qualify for the educational sponsorship (announced with plans)?...more The Network Owners of these free Ning sites are in the process of trying to figure out an exit plan, looking for alternative platforms, and all within thirty days of the new plans’ arrival in July. Ning CEO, Jason Rosenthal makes promises of a “clear migration path...” But no one knows yet, what will actually be available for export. And most importantly, how will the exported data/content be utilized on other platforms?

What is your next move?

Will you stay with Ning and upgrade to premium?
Will you move to another platform?
Are you still trying to make a decision?
Will you delete your Ning Network, and hope to forget the whole experience?

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Permalink Reply by Light of the Ascension Dream on May 11, 2010 at 8:27am

in case the link in my reply didn't work this is it copied and pasted from the url bar
http://lightoftheascensiondream1.spruz.com/
As clergy I have taken oath not to make profit from endeavers done as a part of my ministry, thus I will not be bullied into having to require my members to pay to be a part of my site. so the ning site will be deleted in favor of my new spruz site

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Permalink Reply by Jay Negron on May 12, 2010 at 1:18pm

I have a private music site with 500+ music uploads.
I understand that now if we go to Ning Plus we have to upload our music to a 3rd party carrier; that's cool.
But what happens to the 500+ uploads there already???

I know if you have videos on the site they will stay the same; with future videos having to use a 3rd party site also.
What about the music?
I have PM'ed the manager at Ning, but he has not answered me as of yet.

If the music is no good after July 13th, it would be like a museum with no exibits!!!
If we are gonna have to start all over again, we will do it on another platform (Sprutz).
It will be a shame for my members.
We want to stay but cannot pay $50 a month.

So that is the dealbreaker---when I find out, then I can decide.

:-(

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Permalink Reply by Neuerotica on May 12, 2010 at 1:50pm

i read on the creators site (from ning staff) that your current uploads will remain untouched.

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Permalink Reply by Jay Negron on May 12, 2010 at 2:50pm

Thanks for the great news!!!!

If that's the case, We will stay!!!

Where is that said, in what thread or post??

Point me in the direction!!!

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on May 17, 2010 at 12:27pm

Not good for JenSocial for sure. I am very sorry for what happened on the 14th. Is it okay for you now? All of a sudden some of the code in the Analytics box that has worked forever, started making this site crash.
Thanks,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Metro Vancouver Motorcyclists on May 17, 2010 at 11:17am

I'll be paying for August and September for one network to finish off the riding season, closing 4 others almost immediately. The changes at Ning are to maximize profit, not to build communities. Any future changes; expect them to be implemented with no concern for this. In October I will delete my last Ning network and, as you put it, "hope to forget the whole experience".

Between Meetup, Ning and Facebook, I'm about done with greedy social parasites.

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Permalink Reply by The Lifestyle on May 17, 2010 at 12:05pm

I cannot recall if I mentioned it here. But there is a major problem with grou.ps.

You cannot ban a member. You can freeze his profile but he can still enter and post. Therefore until grou.ps put this right (and they don't appear to be in any hurry) you are stuck with your misbehaving members.

Hugz, Will

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on May 17, 2010 at 12:30pm

That's not good. Feel free to post this information in the grou.ps Group:
http://theningdirectory.ning.com/group/groupsnetworkcreators

Thanks for your input,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Friends of Angela Lansbury - Bet on May 17, 2010 at 1:48pm

Thanks Lifestyle, for the info.

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Permalink Reply by Adelaide Cyclists on June 6, 2010 at 9:02pm

I am staying. I figure that I can pay for some months and if it becomes too hard then look for an option. I have 600+ members on a local centric Ning. www.adelaidecyclists.com so with an understanding and committed core of members I can cover the basic costs with some t-shirts etc. I am totally against membership fees and donate buttons.

I do try and look to the upside. The benefits of a paid service should evolve to be something a free one won't. I hope simple 'shop' page might be considered standard so we can sell stuff without having to find separate shopping cart services as add ons.

I know of a group that got a local developer to build something for them. Why? There is no transfer and it would always be in beta.

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Permalink Reply by The Lifestyle on June 7, 2010 at 4:54am

DRUPAL

I am a member of a naturist website called In the Buff

It is powered by an open source XHTML and CCS compatible alpha-core content management software called Drupal link.

This platform is built on developer contribution. So if you are coding-conversant it will probably be chicken feed for you. Even however if you are a beginner in website development it is quite user-friendly. Some of the jargon is unwieldy but behind that is a layman's sitebuilder. The user will grow in developer knowledge as time passes.

It is backed by several user forums which cater for all queries from simple to complex. It has base core modules of forums, blogs, galleries, uploads and downloads. Many other modules have been developed by users over time.

Also "themes" have been developed which take the sitebuild a stage further. "In the Buff" uses one from Roople which is particularly attractive.

Jen, I suggest you take a serious look at this. Once I am no longer busied with the World Naked Bike Ride environmental campaign, I shall probably give Drupal a try.

Hugz, Will

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on June 7, 2010 at 2:25pm

Hi Will,
I've worked with Drupal in the past, when I first started learning Joomla. I'm rusty no doubt, and never did master it by far. Yeah, it is an excellent platform, but probably not the best for a Social Community for less technical Creators.

Drupal is one of those things that I wish I had 2 of me. I would love to become a Drupal expert. But, so many hours in a day. LOL! Maybe in the future I can make that happen. I hope so.

Thank you for your great input,
Jen