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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 10:41pm

Hi Creative Souls,
I love the new features. It the orientation of the the new links, and lack of icons that throws me.
:-)

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Permalink Reply by Administrator☼JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:29pm

My Wilbya bar disappeared and I reloade it and won't show up
Looks second rate to me better to stick with Web2.0

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Permalink Reply by Neuerotica on July 20, 2010 at 10:34pm

All third party apps have been either disabled or turned screwy. Ning is working with the developers of these apps to resolve the issue.

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Permalink Reply by Administrator☼JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:54pm

My Wilbya Bar is back Hooray!!!
We simply have to be patience for our apps to show up

OK I probably jumped the gun here ~ I will report back in a couple of days after I get familiar with the new platform.

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:39pm

I think for me, if the menu links would stay opened, instead of collapsing back to the top level links, it would be much easier to navigate with this new panel.

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Permalink Reply by Administrator☼JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:45pm

@ JenSocial Thanks Jen for letting us NC's have a place to voice our opion about the new ning platform.
Now that we have we can concentrate on getting out sites up and running

@ The Kingdomz X Keep up the good work and thanks for helping

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Permalink Reply by Neuerotica on July 20, 2010 at 10:48pm

You're welcome DC. =)

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:55pm

I just realized something - - via some test sites. The Manage being changed to My Network can take time to show up. I just saw one change right before my eyes, no refresh, no changing pages, no nothing. In fact, it's still Manage here on JenSocial.

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Permalink Reply by OregonShout _YoUNITY on July 21, 2010 at 10:16am

Interesting I have several sites and noticed the same thing On one it is My-network and on another it is 'Manage' go figure...We need Balance...

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Permalink Reply by JenSocial on July 20, 2010 at 10:55pm

Of course Deborah! My pleasure. Thank you for all the wonderful help you provide here on JenSocial. You're awesome to say the least.

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Permalink Reply by Predestined by God on July 20, 2010 at 11:01pm

Okay, heres's the deal. I'm disappointed. I was ready for a Big Bang and got a Big Dud instead. Sure, got rid of the ADS and the like, but that's what you get for a paid plan, right? My mouth was drooling in anticipation for the new Ning to roll out. I waited and watched time standng still like a watched pot never coming to a boil. With much excitement and the anticipation of unraveling a wrapped gift, as I signed into my account, my heart dropped .

Much to my dismay, the same old APPS that hardly anyone ever really uses were still there. No Leaderboard to get the "game on", no incentives that made me go "Ah" and "Ooo". It was just another day at the Ning Ranch....same ole' , same ole'.

Then to add to my quandry and increase the let down I felt in my heart, I found no icons to distinguish the room I was in. I couldn't tell if I was in the bathroom or the kitchen, as the empty rooms lacked decor. I'm still trying to find my way around the house with the flashlight whose batteries are running on low. Cannot seem to find the "Send Broadcast" feature. Hint, hint, please ;-).

Then I experienced that I couldn't upload a PNG banner for my header because the file was too large, as PNG files are always bigger. Now mind you, I was able to upload them with the FREE Ning but now with a PAID PLAN, I cannot. So, I was left with no choice but to resort to lesser quality image photo wrapped in a JPEG.

Uh-huh, there were no new templates, jazzy or snazzy colors or features to play with, nope nothing to brag about and no real toys to play with. I got more for FREE, and now with a paid plan, sure I got rid of ADS, etc., well, let's just say ((( I EXPECTED MORE)) --I'm not shouting, really....I'm placing emphasis only. What's up with that?

Thanks for letting me vomit and get rid of the virus that was messing with my system. Now back to Ning business. Life goes on and you make the best with what you've been given.