The ripping on Ning needs to stop

[Ningaholic]

This is in response to some of the thread posts going on regarding the ability to move conversations between forums and groups.  You've got people questioning whether Ning really cares about what users think and frankly, it's getting ridiculous.

I'm going to be blunt--you have no network without Ning developers.  In fact, you have no idea about even creating a social network without Ning as a whole.  Have some respect for what they've done and request enhancements without trying to rip them as a company.  Frankly, they likely were losing money off of most of you for years when they were offering free options.

So that being said, I'm taking a second to stop and say to those developers that have made it what it is--thank you.  I'm close to being able to make my idea a full time career and it wouldn't have happened without you.  Just do me a favor and keep listening to user ideas and expanding on your already amazing product.  This company is going to change the way social networks are viewed in our society...

[CocteauBoy]

LOL, sorry about that... And really... what other reason could there be for a post like this, since Ning is run by adults, and they don't really need anyone to come to their rescue.

These kinds of posts are so indignant and self-righteousness, and speak to a need for *high-fives* and mutual support, just as much as any complaint.

In fact, the irony that is missed here is that this is a thread... complaining ABOUT complaining. 

I find original complaints to be much more constructive than something like this.

[Patrick Chappelle]

I did a similar post a couple of years back, and I could not agree with you more. It's one thing to complain when something isn't working (which is only right, naturally), and another to just whine about what Ning doesn't have. The  worse transgressors are the ones who have absolutely no developer experience and say things like: "it should be a simple thing for Ning to do". If it's that simple, then you do it, why wait on Ning. LOL

Everyone has their personal wish list of things they'd like to see on here, but Ning can not possibly accommodate all of them. 

[the_real_macfly]

Indeed.

[Patrick Chappelle]

LOL @the_real_macfly!!!

[Tyler Durbin]

Well, I did build my own network prior to Ning.  I got it to do exactly what I wanted to.  I was able to modify it and add things to it. The best part is that the software was free!  Oh, then there was the $10k in developer fees as I soon got way over my head.  Sure, I could email the software company when my site went down.  They were quick to answer a question a week later but it was never that fix I was looking for.  Yes, I terribly miss my $400+ server fees with another $60 for Litespeed and Wormly. 

What I learned was that there were things that I THOUGHT my site should have but in the end, didn't really matter.  Members would rather have site speed and usability than special gimmicks.

People need to look at what Ning offers and decide if they can work within those boundaries.  I have been following Ning for years.  At the time, they could not provide the necessary structure that I required.  For me, that was Paid Access.  Once that came out, I was ecstatic and made the jump.

My hair isn't as grey and I no longer get chest pains worrying about my site speed or when the next time it would go down.  Everything on Ning just works.

This forum is a pleasure to read.  Just wonder over to the competition or the free/paid software alternatives and read their forums.  Here, people are wanting new features.  Over there, 100's are crying that their site is down, database errors...etc.  They mostly go unanswered.

The key is to find a way to make Ning work for you.  If you can, you will not find a better platform out there.

[Patrick Chappelle]

Very, very well said Tyler!

[Jen]

=)

[Riccardo Rossini]

I agree with you Tyler, the engineer provides a stable platform on which we can work and we pay for this (although I still had a few problems), but what I do not understand is the concentration towards the 'integration with other platforms (FB, twitter, Flickr etc..) but they do not improve the platform of some elements that are already present except for chat.Another thing for me 'incomprehensible' is because I have to pay more if I post more contents (photos), but I can not choose to make an upload limit. In my opinion these are small improvements that they would become ning the best platform ever.

[Patrick Chappelle]

ROTFLMAO! Ning is the best platform ever, if you don't think so, you can join whichever company you think is "the best platform ever".

You don't understand the importance of Facebook and Twitter connect? That's simple. We use it to bring members to our Ning networks. If there were no Facebook or Twitter, many of us would have no members at all.

Why are you worried about upload limits? You're not being charged for it. 

[Riccardo Rossini]

Patrck, you have your opinion and I have my idea. I already use other platforms, and sincerely I do not think that the ning is the best, however, I think this might be the best.  Also I'm sure that FB and  twitter are good reservoires for us, but I would not want that ning became a clone of these social networks.
Just for your information: my site has already exceeded the basic limits of  ning. The owners have paid for it. I do not ask not to pay, I want to choose how to administer my available space. Can I do that? At the moment I can't..

[Riccardo Rossini]

It is not as important ho much I pay, just know that I pay more and when we will overcome the new space limit will pay even more. But, I repeat, do not want to not pay, I just want to manage the space for what I spend money as I wish

[dex meaans]

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