I have been with Ning for several years and this is how I see it...

[Andrew]

Ning is not some government program that everyone has the right to use for free. It is a business that would like to increase its revenue, these changes will indeed do so.

Peoples jobs are on the line. Ning is a fantasy world to many network creators where we create our own "Sim City" and watch it grow like proud parents, but for Ning.com this is real, big business and for them to stay ahead of the game, this is the path they have chosen.

When Ning looked at where they stand here in 2010 and realized that there are 500,000 or more non-paying networks with hardly any members between them combined, not making Ning any revenue with adsense they realized changes were needed. First they did away with the abandoned or test networks that people had created. I know I had one or two practice ones.

From what I can see, the non paying NC's are the ones taking over the creators forum with questions that can easily be answered with just a little research (not picking on you, but this seems to be the case). There are many great NC's here at creators with the knowledge to answer questions that the Ning employees can't always be around to answer. You know who you are and we thank you guys for helping out other NC's.

I feel bad for those that cannot afford to keep the networks they have created, but if you want it bad enough, you will have to find a way to make it work. Best of luck to everyone!

Andrew

[Derek]

Nah if anything I am out altogether. I went with another solution that wasn't really ready for prime time and it cost me. I lost 80% of my community and the free leeches have filled in the gaps. It just makes me so dang angry though because I knew back then that the Bianchinni cluster were on the way wrong track, and all her attempts at making Ning.com the next Facebook were destined to fail. All that wasted effort with Ning.com profiles, and uggh the cross network invite spam. I just could not stomach paying Ning one more cent of my money. I started with Ning back in 2008 and it was a struggle from day one.

It IS good to see all the freeloading NCs get the boot but unfortunately I won't have the last laugh either.

[Sudhir Kumar]

+1...
I agree Derek, this move will make it a place for serious networks only.

[John Burrell]

serious? The capacity to fund is now the defining criteria for serious? Enjoy your moment for as the Bard reminds us

"it is a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

Enjoy your hour

[Derek]

I am not crowing John and I am pissed at this but for an entirely different set of reasons. However this is business and sometimes the decision making process yields unpopular results. Surely as an adult person you realize this?

[John Burrell]

Derek, nice reply but the 'adult' bit was, well childish in itself. I empathise with your argument and obvious frustration although as you say there are ‘other reasons. I just don’t think it’s cool for others bolster the strength of an argument through unnecessary disparaging remarks. Whilst some of the remarks from paying client here have ‘pissed me off’ , I am equally unsympathetic to the ‘its my right to have something free’ group. Elsewhere someone made an excellent comment that people in education (that’s me) really should learn not to be so dependent on the ‘free’ product and that to have continuity they need to bring things in house. I hope that clarifies my position and previous comment, and wish you well.

[Jane Lucienne]

Hear hear.

This is the best comment I've read in this discussion thread ALL DAY.

Jane

[Peace Maker]

lol...........sounds like you have a lot of other issues as well!

Why are you trolling around here for with your bad attitude if you have no intentions of be a contributing member of Ning 2.0?

[EAM]

Perspective is a good thing - especially for newer folks trying to make important choices...I want to hear from everyone...

[Blane Hoffman]

Good point....Blane

[Matt Copeland]

Excellent. I've been thinking the same way.

[Sudhir Kumar]

Well said Andrew, for so long Ning has supported us (although I am a paid member with my domain name, remove ning links, and my own ads), now it's our time to support the company... We need to realize that in business, there is nothing like a free lunch...

[Sudhir Kumar]

Hi Malcolm, If you have fewer than 150 members, you need to pay 2.95, or else you need to pay 19.95 (and if you pay that, you can also run your ADs, remove NINGs name from everywhere, and use your own domain, if you want).