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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 JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:07pm

Koko,
I'm not sure what's going on with your dashboard.
Best,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 10:24pm

When I click onto the "My Networks" I get the drop down menu. Tools dosnt show anythng and neither does the Dashboard. the Members come up and the others but not these two. They show up, but nothing appears when I click on them..

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Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 10:29pm

Ok I just went back. The toolbar is working now. I get "Searchbots" then a drop down list of FB, Flicker,twitter, etc.. but the dashboard just dosnt work. I click on it and it stays on the opening page. It does absolutly nothing.. Maybe Ning is waiting for my payment to go through..LOL

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Permalink Reply by The Douglas Archives on July 23, 2010 at 4:12am

I assume the opening page is the dashboard? No??
Otherwise, how do you get back to it when on another page?

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:05pm

@Tom,
Yeah, this app breaking thing is very discouraging. I'm sorry to hear you're getting a double whammy with joomla bridge breaking too.

On the panel, I'm sure I'll get used to it. But, right now with all the design work I'm in the middle of, just absolutely maddening for me.

Thanks Tom!
Jen

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Permalink Reply by The York Paranormals on July 20, 2010 at 9:51pm

I have accessed the features on the dashboard. It did take a moment to catch some of the points i was looking for but I found them. It is a bit frustrating but at the same time it is a challenge and I don't mind that. I thin that we will all love it once we have caught on to it. Now to make the network a better success! LOL! Ahhhh Another challenge. I can handle that!

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:40pm

The York Paranormals,
What a great attitude!
Kudos,
Jen

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Permalink Reply by kooljbsgrindhouse.spruz.com on July 20, 2010 at 9:51pm

yes, that new dashboard is horrible, And these are part of the "new improvements" they want us to pay for???

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Permalink Reply by Administrator☼JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 9:57pm

I have notice our Broadcast Newsletter is missing It will take awhile to get use to it

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Permalink Reply by Kokoplelli Page on July 20, 2010 at 10:02pm

Took a bit to find the "Broadcast". Its on teh left side under members. Click on "My Network" first.

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Permalink Reply by Administrator☼JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:33pm

@Kokoplelli Page Thanks I'll check it out
I found it right where to said

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Permalink Reply by Creative Souls on July 20, 2010 at 10:29pm

hello fellow Ning Creators!!!

I guess I am the odd ball ~ I am really liking the new dashboard, it took me a few trys to get around & I actually like it better than the old way~ Usually I am not into "change" but I guess I was just expecting it to be different so I prepared myself to be stumped, but was actually surprised that I picked it up rather quickly~ My site is a smaller site so maybe that is why, I know alot of your sites are larger than mine & have the larger plan, maybe the larger plan sites are more difficult to maneuver?!

I also LOOOOVE that you can monitor the number of photos uploaded by members, I think that is a great new option!!

just my 2 cents~