You've Got Mail, and some other updates too

[Phil McCluskey]

Today we released a few updates to Ning 3.0 networks and added a Messaging feature. Here’s a look at the changes:

Messaging is Here

Ning 3.0 networks now have an optional Messaging feature for members. As a Network Creator, you have one of three options for Messaging: you can turn member to member messaging off; you can allow members who are friends on the network to message each other (this is the way messaging works in Ning 2.0); or you can allow all members to send messages to each other, regardless of whether or not they are friends. This last option is perfect for smaller networks where the members already know each other, and needing to become friends before sending messages represents an extra hassle. You can change this option on the Member Management > Settings page.

The new messaging system works on phones, tablets and desktop devices. We’ve added an envelope icon to the bar at the top of networks to let members quickly get to their messages and to know that they’ve received a new message as they’re browsing.

Distorted Avatars

As many of you have noticed, we were distorting profile images by changing their aspect ratios; this caused any profile photo that wasn’t perfectly square to end up looking squeezed or stretched. With this release we’ve started cropping profile photos square automatically so that they no longer look distorted. If your members have uploaded images that are either very tall or very wide, you may notice that parts of the image are cut off due to the cropping. While cutting off parts of tall or wide photos isn’t ideal, we thought that cropping profile images to square and fixing the distortion was a good interim fix until we can build a tool that allows members to choose which square portion of their image to display.

Here's a look at some before and after avatars (Fred and Hanna already had square avatars, so they are unchanged):

Profile Page Management

We’ve also made some changes to the way that members manage their profile page. We’ve moved the actions for uploading cover and profile photos out of the settings page and into the profile page itself, in an Options button that’s similar to the Options button for Groups. From here, members can visit their profile settings page, upload and delete profile and cover photos, and (new) rotate their profile photo. In addition to being able to Feature profiles from the new Options button, Network Creators and Admins can now also delete a member’s cover or profile photo and rotate their profile photo.

Along with this change we also wanted to make friend requests more obvious, so we’ve moved them up to the top of the profile page when you’re viewing someone who’s sent you a request.

Enjoy these updates and let us know what you think; we have more in the works.

[SweetPotato]

Phil

The Open / Friends Only functionality is great. Is it possible we could drill deeper on permissions by setting one or both of these options based on member categories. So a possible scenario might see a 'Premium' member category allowed to Message All, and everyone else Message Friends Only.

Just thinking of ways we can monetize in the future.

SP

[Kos]

[Phil McCluskey]

Hi SP,

This is a great idea. Probably not something we'll get to for a bit, since we have rather a lot on our plates at the moment, but I agree it would enable member category differentiation and be a nice way for NCs to upsell monetization.

[SweetPotato]

Thanks Phil, appreciate the quick reply and you adding it to the wish list.

SP

[Patricia Koosed]

Is that ugly rectangular area behind the profile photo going to stay there?

I can see why you did this so that the name and birthday will show up but does it have to be so large? It look ugly like that.

[Phil McCluskey]

No, it's going to go away Patricia. No tears will be shed.

[Patrick Chappelle]

Made me happy here, with that piece of news, Phil. =)

[Patricia Koosed]

Thanks Phil !

Big hug

[SweetPotato]

Phil, can you let us know if this will have an effect on already designed sites? I'm hoping any changes won't affect live sites.
Thanks
SP

[Phil McCluskey]

Hi SP,

No, that would be terrible. Nothing will change without explicit actions by the NC. The updated Design Studio will have new themes, and these themes will provide much prettier "out of the box" profile pages along with greater design flexibility generally.