Don't forget computer users

[Alexander]

I do trust that there is not going to be a move away from computer-based network designs to mobile device designs for NING networks, as I've noticed a lot of work going on recently on NING in respect of these mobile devices.

Do many people use these devices to access NING or, like myself, do most people only use NING networks on their computers?

I'd be interested to know what other Network Creators think about these 'advancements' and whether we really need them.

http://inspiredm.com/ipad-design/

[Phil McCluskey]

Hi Alexander,

There's no question that mobile devices and their increasing usage are influencing the design of web site and applications. This is because traffic from mobile devices is growing at a rapid rate. Across all Ning networks for example, 12.5% of all visits currently come from mobile devices. A year ago at this time it was 6%, and back in August 2010 it was only 3%. A year from now I expect the percentage of mobile visits to be above 20% (1 in every 5).

On some networks, the majority of traffic already comes from mobile devices. If you're using Google analytics on your network, you can see how many of your own network's visits are from mobile devices by going to Audience > Mobile > Overview. 

Updating networks for mobile devices isn't an either/or premise; it's a case of adapting site designs and functions so that Ning works well regardless of the device that someone is using to access it. For devices like mobile phones, it means creating a new version of networks that work well on smaller screens with potential bandwidth and capability constraints. In other cases it may mean making forward-looking technology decisions based on mobile device capabilities, like our decision to rewrite the chat feature in html and javascript rather than flash which doesn't work on the majority of mobile devices. There are other things we need to think about going forward to ensure that mobile device users aren't encumbered when they visit Ning sites; things like the current flash photo slideshow, which won't render on iPads, or the fact that network submenus currently use onHover mouse events to display, and there's no equivalent of onHover for touch-based devices. None of these design decisions mean that capabilities are taken away from desktop users; but they'll ensure that your members and visitors will have an optimal experience on your network, regardless of whether they're using a mobile phone, a tablet, or a desktop computer.

Thanks,
Phil 

[Alexander]

Thanks Phil,

Very helpful information.

Of course we're a long way behind the US when it comes to mobile networks here in the UK. For example we don't have 4G networks here yet, and Broadband in the UK is still slow, averaging 2-4mbps per connection, whilst some rural areas here in Wales don't even have Broadband yet!

[SweetPotato]

Ha ha, my Virgin Broadband promises 20mb download speeds and in the evening rarely gets past 2mb. I might as well be in rural Wales, not central London.

Phil, great insight. Cheers.
SP

[Alexander]

We are with BT and in rural Wales (Nant-y-Moel), but get approx. 3.5mb!
 Houses are cheaper here... from around £50,000 for a 3 bed terrace!!