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Permalink Reply by Eric Suesz on January 9, 2012 at 2:28pm

Sorry that you are unhappy. I'll try to address a few of these issues. I won't try to change your mind, and I hope you don't take my answers as spin in any way. My hope is that some of this is helpful in some way.

• The new chat works okay for me on the iPad. Are you using the beta chat that will be soon released to everyone? The old chat is Flash-based. Apple does not support Flash. So, there's not much we can do about that. But, the new chat should work on the iPad. It works for me here on this network. I would definitely move up to the beta and test it out.
• I just tested the add reply button on the forum using my iPad, and it worked okay here on Creators. If you're seeing something different, we always ask that we get a ticket submitted so we can assign it to someone here who can do a full-on investigation. I can take a look at some issues, but for follow-through we love having a ticket that we can track (and make sure the customer gets a dedicated response).
• The main reason that you have to approve new members with the Mini plan is that it cuts down on spam (e.g., spambots). Another reason is that there is a cap on the number of members with the Mini plan, so we don't want a Network Creator who may be absent to have the network be closed to new members if it reaches the limit. In both of those situations — a dedicated spam attack or an absent NC — the network could quickly become practically unusable. I guess I can see how it would be better in some ways to help you get started, but then again I feel like being around in the early stages is pretty important for success. That's just my own opinion. I don't think we'll be changing that Mini restriction, but I'll pass along your thoughts to our product managers.
• Absolutely hear you about the fact that people have less and less time to participate in more and more online activities. It may not be apparent, but we've had a massive shift in direction in the last year or two that has resulted in way more development than we've ever done. Right now, we're putting together perhaps the most important part of that work: a new mobile interface. That should go a long way to helping people on the go (and people on iPads, as you and I are). I hope to have a dedicated write-up about that mobile update, as well as an update to our Product Roadmap that reflects the other things we are tackling. 

(Nice design on your network, BTW.)

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Permalink Reply by Michael Combley on January 9, 2012 at 2:49pm

Eric, thank you for your replay, perhaps it is because I am using a first generation iPad that I am encountering problems

I take your point on spam and the lower level plans, but it is my view that initial growth is critical to getting a network up and all barriers have to be minimized

Agreed, mobile is critical, we cut the length of our weekly mass notices so that people could read them on mobile phones, we do a monthly meet up and use the mass message function to switch venues if the weather changes

I will read the future pathway with interest

However, we have had dialogue regarding the presentation of / the ordering of forum posts in the past. In my view it is absolutely critical that the most recent post is presented first in a discussion topic. Our busiest site component is people looking to meet up and it is a total pain to have to go to page 8 of a series of responses to see the latest one

The forums are the absolute heart of a social network and the gold standard is phpbb!

Development in this critical area is critical!

M

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Permalink Reply by Eric Suesz on January 9, 2012 at 3:02pm

I'm looking at your site, and it appears you are using the Flash-based chat. That definitely will not work on an iPad. Head to the Ning Labs section of your dashboard and try out the beta chat. You'll see that one on your iPad. Or, check out the chat here on Creators on your iPad.

We have had a lot of requests for reordering forum replies in the way that you mention. We haven't made that change yet, but I think that we probably will. I will add your request to our product enhancement request. Maybe we can speed that up. I know that's one that a lot of people who are used to phpbb would like to see. 

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Permalink Reply by Tyler Durbin on January 10, 2012 at 1:26am

The forums are the absolute heart of a social network and the gold standard is phpbb!

Maybe it is for a free forum...vBulletin is still #1.  I have run both on dedicated servers and they are not nearly as fast as the ones on Ning.  We had almost 300k posts in 3 years so we heavily relied on our forums.  Since switching to Ning, there has been nothing but praise about these forums.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Combley on January 9, 2012 at 3:14pm

Thank you Eric

I will review my settings and see what we can do to make the site more viable

Development to the forums will be much appreciated

We will watch these developments with interest and proceed accordingly

M

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Permalink Reply by Michael Combley on January 9, 2012 at 3:28pm

I can't find the ticket URL (der!)

Where is it?

M

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Permalink Reply by Eric Suesz on January 11, 2012 at 9:49am

I was able to find it in our system. I'll be in touch. Need to check with our engineers here before I report back to you. Appreciate your patience. 

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