The New Ning: Ning 3.0 - - First Impression, Pros and Cons.

The New Ning: Ning 3.0

Have you heard the news? Re-Imagining Ning

Ning/Glam Social has completely rebuilt the Ning platform from the ground-up - - well, almost. This platform release is major, and will be known as: Ning 3.0. The development of 3.0 has been a huge hush-hush project, and will come at some as "rapid fire".

 

One of the primary reasons for the development of 3.0, Ning was pushing the limits with Ning 2.0. Obviously, their acquisition by Glam Media gave them the resources to upgrade. The strategy for development: (1) Move Ning into the future, and (2) Move the Design and User Interface up to Industry standards. Ning definitely needed a facelift. And boy, did they give it one!

According to John McDonald of Ning: Ning 3.0 is our next generation product. It's geared toward social leaders: people who already have — or want to attract — a community of people to gather around compelling content and conversation. It's a full re-launch of the Ning product. We invite you to start a free trial to test drive it. (Although obviously you can cancel before your free trial is up if you don't want to continue!)

 

John also talks about, and the most exciting new features - - extremely powerful:

The new Ning offers powerful flexibility for publishing and populating sites with multiple kinds of content and layouts, as well as multiple instances of features. You want 10 forums? You've got it. A community blog and an official blog? Done.

 

The last big upgrade was (Ning 2.0). In that release, Ning added the new Design Studio from the old Ning Editor, Header and Footer Instant Ad Boxes, and the alternative tools to designing a site: Developer Mode and LESS variables. The word upgrade doesn't apply much to Ning 3.0, at least not from my viewpoint. With the launch of Ning 3.0, I would have to call this a new product - - a new Ning. Too much has changed to call this an upgrade. Although the overall platform features will be similar, the entire HTML structure including CSS selector names have completely changed. This is to accommodate a new responsive design.


With the huge platform changes, there are a lot of pros and what appears to be some serious cons. The good news is: Most of the cons are temporary. There is so much to write about. I will try to touch on the most important aspects of the new Ning 3.0. I'll spare you a lot of the details, and we'll cover more as time goes by.

Before you take it all in, although I have concerns about different issues; all-in-all, I believe if existing Ning Networks can approach this with an open mind, 2 years down the road, you'll own even better and more exciting Social Communities, with creative possibilities that are never-ending.

 

For those new to the platform: Ning is the Industry Leader in online Social Community Building. The platform enables anyone to build their own niche Community with: Members, Friends, Blogs, Forums, Photos, Profile Pages, Latest Activity, and more. With the new release, there are modules not yet available that are part of Ning 2.0, but the power to build multiple modules is huge. Most of the modules are in development, and coming soon. After an extensive preview of the new Ning 3.0 by our Team, these are our findings.

 

What's New?

  • New Interface, Sleek and Modern
  • Responsive Design (adjusts to any device)
  • Social Site Manager
  • Better Blogging
  • Beautiful Photo Interface
  • Disqus commenting for non-members
  • Facebook commenting in near future
  • Multiple Instances of Modules
  • Multiple Page Layouts for one Site
  • For Designers, a powerful Smart Grid

 

Overall Pros:
  • Sleek and Responsive - It's sleek, fluid, powerful, and well, first impression - - exciting. The overall Fluid feel and liquid design - - elegant.
  • It Feels Good. It almost feels like a platform mixture of WordPress Publishing and Social Community Building. The dashboard is easy to access. The "Social Site Manager" and especially the "Sites & Pages" feature, just feels good.
  • The Photo presentation throughout is beautiful.
  • It is the Future. It has a responsive design, and a modern look and feel. Responsive Design is when a website will adjust to any device, and not change radically as in most websites "today" that offer a mobile and desktop version. It will probably take another 2 years for this to become mainstream. So, Ning has a nice jump on this, at least in regards to responsive layout. There's more to RD, but it's a great start.
  • Multiple Modules - The platform allows you to build multiple instances of modules. For example, you can build multiple Forums, with their own Categories. You could build a regular Forum, a Forum that serves as a VIP Forum, or a Forum for any purpose. You can even build multiple Photo Modules - - a completely different module for Members and/or Administrators to upload photos.
  • Social Site Manager / Site & Pages:

     

  • Multiple Layouts on One Site - You can build multiple Custom Layout Pages, and drag/drop any of your created modules to the Custom Page. This just downright rocks! The possibilities are endless.
  • No More Cookie-Cutter Module Layout - With the ability to create multiple modules and multiple page layouts, the cookie-cutter "Ningish" look can quickly become a part of the past.
  • The API will likely provide more power than ever, but only the new Pro Version includes access to the API. For now we don't know much about the API. The idea it will be more powerful comes from Ning.

 

 

Overall Cons:

  • Product Not Ready for Prime Time - Our initial assessment was, Ning is launching the new product too soon. There are several critical modules that are not available on initial launch. These are the ones I took note of: Groups, Videos, Events, and Paid Access. See more details under: What's Missing?
  • Why Launch With Missing Modules? After sharing these thoughts with Ning Developers, it seems there is a method to the madness, and not unimpressive. Ning made the decision to launch 3.0 now, with the most critical modules for building a community included, and the promise to complete the development of the other modules, impacted by User feedback. This is not something most software platforms would consider - - build a product based on what their Users really want and need.
  • Design Studio - Limited compared to 2.0. In our view, it needs much work. But maybe, it's because this is part of what we do for a living, designing websites. There are a few new features, like being able to drag/drop the logo and navigation bar, very cool for non-coders. But, a lot of the old settings and features are not there, needed by non-coders. The current background images are clunky and too bold. But, we believe Ning will add more subtle and professional looking tiles in the coming weeks - - fingers crossed. In the meantime, it's very easy to upload your own background image. The Themes are even more limited than in 2.0. But what's there is definitely going in the right direction. Ning will be adding more themes in the coming months.
  • Customization and Tips Won't Work - I'm not one to report something that could cause panic. And, I'm a huge Ning Fan. But, there is simply no way to skirt this issue. The biggest con - - All Ning 2.0 customization will need to be redesigned and developed, to work on Ning 3.0. Yeah, sorry to say, you read that right. This is our biggest disappointment. However, according to Ning, with the addition of responsive design, there's no getting around it. Sometimes change is not easy.
  • Migration from 2.0 to 3.0 (Timeline) - Initially Ning mentioned that Ning 2.0 sites will have until summer of 2014 to transition to Ning 3.0. They are reconsidering the timeline. Why is this a problem? In addition to having to redesign sites, the Migration Tool is not ready. For existing sites, you will not be able to move your site content over, until: (1) The completion of the Migration Tool (seamless as possible according to Ning), and (2) The addition of these Modules: Groups, Videos, Events, and Paid Access.
Don't Panic, Help Is Here - As JenSocial and NingCustomDesign has done for a while now, my Partner (soon to announce!) and I, will specialize in hand-holding, redesigns, recreating apps, and everything Ning 3.0. We'll be here for you. We will offer customization at our design and application development rates. But, we will also offer tips and free support when possible.

 

 

What's Missing?

It's tempting to list: What is included in 3.0? It's highly likely that most modules and features are on the way. I'll cover what I know is missing, and what I know for sure is coming.

  • Discontinued Modules - Uploaded Music and Uploaded Videos.
  • Modules Coming Soon - Groups, Events, Video (embedded videos), and Paid Access. These modules are under development. They will be implemented in the near future.
  • UPDATE on Existing Videos: Great news from Ning - - existing "uploaded" Videos will be accessible/viewable on Ning 3.0. However, as mentioned above, you will no longer be able to upload videos. You will be able to add videos with embedded code. See quote below.
  • Forum comment and Link by Ning Developer: As part of the upgrade process, you can move over already uploaded videos from your v2 network and members will be able to access them on devices that support flash.
  • Modules Missing - Chat and Inbox - It's not clear if Ning will offer a Chat or Inbox. My guess is, they will.
  • No Profile Page Text Box - Unfortunately, I heard back from Ning on this. Currently, it is not in the works. However, I believe if enough NCs feel their sites need this feature, Ning will try to include in the future. For now, new Ning sites could take advantage of a long answer Profile Question.
  • Instant Ad Boxes (Header and Footer) - Coming in the near future.
  • Can't add Member Module to Custom Page - Coming in the near future.
  • Pages (like the new Pages in 2.0) - Can't add metadata, custom CSS or custom script directly to page. According to Ning, coming in near future and even better!
  • Ning Apps will not be available. However, with the ability to create multiple blogs, forums, etc...this will help with Ning Apps like Classifieds. And, the new modules will run much faster.

 

After Diving In?

Now that I've shared the overall features, pros/cons, and what's missing, I'll give you my overall thoughts after diving in!

  • When you first get started, it's a little alarming, especially if you have built a Ning Community in 2.0. You'll see a blank slate, white on gray window with no modules. However, once you jump in and start adding pages (modules), the site will start coming to life. We plan on building a screencast to get things started, when creating a brand new site.
  • For features and design, there are two focus areas: Design Studio and the new Social Site Builder.
  • The Site Builder is pretty awesome. For my first test run, I spent more time building than I did designing. I was completely intrigued with the power behind adding modules to pages. You can build unlimited pages,with multiple instances of modules, and in multiple layouts. No more layout and module limitations of all Nings being Ning. Just head on over to Social Site Builder/Sites & Pages, and "Add a Page".
  • Being a Designer by profession, the Design Studio is far from what I expected, lacking in features. But, I feel like it will improve rapidly in the next few months. I will write more about the Design Studio in the coming days. There is no longer a Design Mode feature.
  • I had to add a lot of custom CSS to make a site really come to life.
  • The most powerful aspects of the new platform are:
  • ~ Responsive Design - It's responsive.
    Responsive web design (RWD) is a web design approach aimed at crafting sites to provide an optimal viewing experience—easy reading and navigation with a minimum of resizing, panning, and scrolling—across a wide range of devices (from desktop computer monitors to mobile phones. ~ Wikipedia
  • ~ Multiple Instances of Modules - You can create multiple Blogs, Forums, or Photo Modules, for different purposes. Groups will follow.
  • ~ Multiple Layouts in One Site - You can create multiple pages with multiple layouts. Really, the possibilities are endless.

 

Member Profile Page Functionality and Features:

The Profile Pages are 100% different in 3.0, than 2.0. But, give them a chance. At first, I was completely thrown off. Then, after a few hours in the system, I realized the elegance behind the layout and features of the new Profile Pages. They're beautiful in style: modern and sleek, and have tabs that access different sections of a Profile Page - - instead of everything being all jumbled up and busy. I would like to see Ning add the ability to add the different Profile Modules to a canvas page, similar to what's available in 2.0. But, I don't know that this will happen.

  • Text Box or custom area - none. But, I hope Ning will add this back.
  • Profile Customization - Can't find it, but know it's coming.
  • Module Tabs - You click on tabs to see Member content - a great feature. But, as mentioned in summary above, I also think there should be a way to populate Member pages with all modules, and the member's choice.
  • Friends Only - Soon, Members will have the choice to filter their content for "Friends Only" (as in Ning 2.0), and additionally only display Latest Activity to Friends, in the Activity Stream. The latter is a much welcomed feature.

 

Will Current Ning Networks Be Impacted?

Not yet. In fact, as mentioned above, current sites cannot move to the new platform until Ning completes the "Migration Tool", not your current content and members. Ning states that current Ning Networks will be able to move over to Ning 3.0, seamlessly, in a few months.

 

 


 

 

Ning 3.0 Roadmap - for updates:

As of 3/11/2013

Complete the Ning 3.0 Feature Set

               We plan to develop and release the following additional features for Ning 3.0 by mid-summer 2013:

  • Groups
  • Video feature for embeds
  • Events
  • Chat
  • Spanish, Portuguese, French and German version of Ning 3.0
  • Optional leaderboard, footer and side bar advertising boxes on feature & custom pages


           New Features Planned for Ning 3.0

               These projects are currently in progress and should also be completed by mid-summer:

  • Seamless process for Ning 2.0 Networks to upgrade to Ning 3.0
  • APIs for all Ning 3.0 features, including members

 


 

 

 

Final Thoughts:

It's going to take time for existing Nings to feel comfortable with the new 3.0. Newbies can dive right in and start building new Communities. Once all modules are rolled out, any bugs are ironed out, and the Migration Tool is ready, there's no doubt that Ning will continue to be the Industry Leader in Building Social Communities; the platform is here to stay and continue to grow. Ning will be the most reliable and up-to-date Social Community Building platform available online.

 

Hopefully this review will assist many. We'll do our best to answer your questions, and discuss more about 3.0 as time goes by. We will add new Discussions under the Category Ning 3.0. Feel free to start...

 

JenSocial Team - new partner announcement coming soon!

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Replies to This Discussion

Chloe,

I feel your pain, trust me. It's huge for me, too. It is my main biz.

Best,

Jen

Chloe

Re;

"I am dead in the water if my APPS.IO apps don't work. I have built a huge business with that. "LISTINGS" app is like having your own auction site. If that can't being imported, I am SCREWED."

You might be able to sue for loss of earnings.

If I am forced to migrate without a 100% seamless transition of my paid content, I will sue. Its a matter of 10 of thousands of dollars.I have two networks - and one of them I just launched I just paid to have 3 different developers help with and have paid more than 5K in customizations. This is not a matter of a few dollars - this is a matter of NING coming in and flipping the Monopoly Board and saying "Do over!" without any warning of what was coming - and HEY, lets not pretend here that this is something they just started working on 6 months ago... they knew for a LONG time this was coming, and using their DECEPTIVE business practices kept people in the dark while without warning of the future allowed people to move forward investing and building their networks that NING knew full well was not going to be 100% transitionable to the new platform - they could have WARNED US. They knew - and they didn't want to say anything because its called DAMAGE CONTROL.

For those of you who are excited - I am excited for you - you most likely are not in the boat I am in - and I am glad for you. You will most likely enjoy the upgrade - an upgrade that is in actuality data-mining your content and traffic and selling it - THATS WHAT GLAM MEDIA DOES! THATS WHY THEY BOUGHT NING.

I just can't share the enthusiasm  because I am an old school NING user that has been with them since the beginning and has watched how they do business and treat their base of customers.

I know this upgrade was needed - I will see what the future holds and hold my breath... but in the mean time, I am shopping for a new solution - I feel like NING has become that boat tunnel ride in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.... and I want off.

....see what I mean? Starts out fun, and optimistic - then it gets crazy out of control from there with no way off except to ride it out.

I'm in a helluva boat too. And on this:

"they could have WARNED US. They knew - and they didn't want to say anything because its called DAMAGE CONTROL."

I agree that we should have been warned/prepared, way before now.

Day at a time, all I know to do. I still see salvation on this, at end of tunnel.

Chloe,

I wish I could say something that would make you feel better. Try to take it a day at a time. We'll all help each other.

Best,

Jen

Thanks sweetie... I feel better when NING does the right thing. 

Thanks for having my back though.. *crosses my fingers*

=)

If I would start a new network on Ning it will be nice to use Ning 3.0 - but I am using Ning since July 2007 and I am really upset if someone will force me to upgrade or migrate my network from Ning 2.0 to Ning 3.0.

I do not wish to migrate my network - it works just the way I (and my members) want it. I don't want to be forced to change or upgrade it.

My members designed an own page for their presentation and if i'll upgrade to 3.0 they will lose all their page customization. That's why I haven't launched the new Design Studio.

My site works fine - why I should upgrade something. If Ning will force me to upgrade my network I will stop it definitely. I have seen what 'll happen if members will lose their own customized profile pages ... and sure: without a text box which allows to insert a music player widget ... why I should run a musician network?

Thanks,
Jens

Jens,

I think you have a least a year to make a decision. I agree, it's a tough decision to make. Let's wait and see how much they will move over for us. I know the profile page designs will be lost. But, I feel like most everything else will be moved over, seamlessly. And, I also believe with the outcry, they will add the Text Box back to the Profile Pages.

Best of luck,

Jen

Hi Jen,


today I wrote my admin this message:

"I have to inform you that Ning launched Ning 3.0 - that's fine! But: the effect will be - if I understand everything correctly -  that I will be forced to migrate with Overtone Music Network from Ning 2.0 to Ning 3.0 soon or later. It seems so ... Here is my reply to that news http://creators.ning.com/forum/topics/announcing-ning-3?commentId=4...

I think the members  of Overtone Music Network will not be happy if they will lose to profile page customization - their own profile pages?
And Ning is still greedy and becomes more greedy (!) https://www.ning.com/pricing/ - August last year I paid 149 EUR until August 2013 - with the new Ning 3.0 I shall pay 540 per year - so about 400 EUR more - if I do not delete member profiles down to less than 1000 members. With less than 1000 members I have to pay "only" 264 EUR per year. Too much! - I don't want to delete about 400 member profiles on OMN and I don't want to pay 540 EUR each year - without video and music mp3 uploading (!) ...

So it seems to be the end of Overtone Music Network in August 2013! Just! ...  if they will answer me that there will be a future with a Ning 2.0 network on Ning - for the current plan about 149 EUR per year. But I read in the creators forum the last three hours and I think I am right to write that there is no future with the actual settings on Ning."

______

I remember the effect on myspace where musician got lost their own designed profile pages. If I have to do the same on my network I think this will be too much changes for my members. So at least one year I will have time! that is nonsense because I know what will happen after one year: to pay for a new plan - from 149 (I pay only for a Plus Plan) up to 540 EUR per year. This is unacceptable.



Ning gives me today a good reason to make my inner decision now. There is no reason anymore to use Ning.

All the best,

Jens

WOW. Jens, I haven't had time to compare the pricing. I didn't realize it had gone up that much. I thought it was quite comparable. Is this because of what they charge for number of members, moving you up to a higher cost level? A lot of NCs will scream loudly about this. There is too much of a spread on number of members allowed from #1 to #2 plan.

Hi Jen,

 

if you are using Ning Pro for a network with less than 1000 members you will pay instead of 350 EUR per year "only" 264 EUR per year. But if you are a Ning Pro customer - why you are that? Maybe, because you like to use the features music and video uploads. Now if you have to switch to Ning 3.0 you 'll can't use music and video uploads ... if you network has only 999 members you 'll pay less than now but you 'll have less features, too. My other words: you can't compare the new system with the old one ... exactly. In my case: I decided to use only a Ning Plus since two billing periods. - So I will pay up to 200% (?!) more because my network has about 1300 members.

I do not understand why Ning gives us only one option: Friss oder stirb. Why this change will be a matter of sink or swim? a two ways solution would be human but to force me to migrate my network

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