Question to NING - why don't you consider creating your own implementations of the Apps.io apps?

[Ken]

Straight question.  

I'm sure that our networks would demonstrate a much better user experience if NING created their own versions of the various apps.io apps such as listings, member map, etc.

Just wonder why NING don't do this?  Seems like these apps are quite widely used and seem to offer essential features that I would expect to be part of the core NING platform features.

Your thoughts?

Ken

[Eric Suesz]

Thanks for the suggestion. I think that we have considered things like a classifieds type of functionality, etc. But we have been pretty focused on building more essential features. Of course, the hard part is that everyone has a different idea of what is essential. Not sure I have a great answer except to say that we haven't heard a huge number of requests like this. But we're definitely open to hearing more suggestions.

[John Bizley]

I think it would be a great idea for Ning to add some of these functions rather then having to use an outside company. I use the classifieds, although at present ive taken them down due to the email response when someone comments isn't working, and this is one app request that crops up a lot and is always asked for. If Ning could create their own classifieds that works much the same way I would for one rather pay Ning my monthly sub than to apps-io. It would be another great addition to the Ning package. To put the icing on the cake it would be great to add some sort of paypal intergration into the classifieds also. There could be a lot of scope for this app.

Talking of apps, Eric do you know of any software that can host multiple shops, by this I mean Software that I can use to have members be able to set up their own storefronts. I know I can create one for myself but just can't seem to find one that allows others to setup one also if that makes sense. I f any light can be shed on this I would be grateful.

[Jordon McGee (Jords)]

I think the classifieds app would be a great success if it became an actual feature =]

[Ken]

Apps.io claim to have over 25000 apps installed!  If this is indeed true then I would have thought that was a compelling argument for adding this functionality to your core product....and you could probably even charge extra for it!

[Eric Suesz]

Installed is one thing. Actually in use by people is another.  For example, I think we stopped counting at the number of networks created on the Ning platform at around 2 million. But that doesn't mean that's how many are in use today.

I think that classifieds are a neat thing, but I don't think that a huge percentage of our customers would use a classifieds app. I'm not saying that's not a reason to not build it. Just saying that we haven't had the number of requests that would put this one in our product team's field of vision. 

[Ken]

I think asking NC's if they want a 'classifieds' feature would be the wrong approach.  I think the fundamental requirement would be a 'listings' capability i.e. a feature on the NING platform that allows an NC to add 'lists' to their network that their members can add to.   One application of this listing capability could be 'classifieds', another could be 'ideas', another could be ....actually, thinking about it a bit more

....isn't this the same 'core' functionality as videos, photos, etc.  They are basically lists of things added by users.  

From an object oriented point of view I would say that videos, photos, etc are types of a list.   You could simply extend these to allow more types to be added by NCs.

Wouldn't this give quite amazing additional functionality for NCs, with minimal effort from NING (since the core functionality already exists)!!

What do you think?  

[Eric Suesz]

I think you are absolutely right to swing that question in another direction. I think that it would require a lot more functionality to be added. It might require new interfaces, but you make a really excellent point. 

[John Bizley]

I would prefer to have Ning running this as apps io help is rubbish. I have a premium account for my classifieds and added my problem of members not receiving comments when a user adds something to their entry. Still heard nothing from them, not even an email, nothing. That was four days ago and have had to take of the classifieds for the moment until its fixed. At least you get fantastic customer support from Ning so im hopeful they add this to their collection.