My Perspective on the Ning Platform

Do I begin my post with the kudos or the rant?

I believe this is how many posts are labeled here. Either there is praise or there is disdain. I'm here to give a balanced critique of the stability of the Ning Platform.

I'm not concerned with my popularity here, what I am concerned with is the stability of the platform and and honest critique. I want Ning to work, I have invested a lot of time into helping others design their Ning networks. Ning is not the only site/platform that I work with, but it is turning out to be the one needing a lot of attention. Ning seems to be as Powerful as it is Fragile. Attractive to those who are not into the building and maintaining of the structure of their website; but rather the content, or the appearance.

What I have experienced in my short time working with Ning is:

[+] Ning has been persuaded to make compromises with their clients.
[+] Ning gave NCs the option to turn off the new text editor.
[+] Ning created a video Explaining the Design Studio.
[+] Ning is Highly customizable
[+] Ning has some exciting plans. (Potential)

[-] Having to come here to check for coming changes.
[-] If I didn't come here I would have unexpected changes.
[-] Every time Ning makes universal changes it effects some networks negatively initially.
[-] Ning did send out an email announcement this time... the day after was it?
[-] Ning Support seems to have a lot of complaints unless you are one of the regulars here.

I see a trend in my positive and negative list of Ning disrupting things on our Networks and then scrambling to put things where they belong. "What did Ning do now?" has become a popular question on my site. When I go through the forums I don't know if there is an area of the platform right now that is functioning as it should on all networks, yet Ning Status claims:

All systems go!

Posted on February 7, 2011 – 11:00 am

Sorry Ning, but not all systems are go and this is awfully misleading to some NCs who may go here to find out what is wrong with their network. I know when I was "New" to Ning this is where I went when my site had issues. More so this is misleading to some one considering opening a Ning Network. Known issues should be posted on Ning Status.

My concern is that these are bad business decisions that are going to effect every one on Ning and I can't recommend it to clients as reliable. I will work with Ning users, but I will not recommend the platform to a client. It's a grand idea but reliably unreliable.

Just my honest perspective.

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Comment by AnGella on April 6, 2013 at 12:28pm: I know, this post is from 2011. lol They do it over and over.

Comment by Barbara Mc is Playing! on March 23, 2012 at 4:12pm: lol, well said Angella. I'm like Connie, I just love to play with graphics and this gives me an outlet. It's my prozac too, lol. I know little to none of the inner workings of the site or the codes if you don't TOTALLY lead me through it all. I'll do what I can and follow you:} Sheesh, I'm just know seeing Bob's comment here from 3-1....tells you how on top of things I am....but Bob, I "LIKE" your comment!

Comment by AnGella on March 23, 2012 at 3:08pm: That's exactly what blogs are for, voicing your opinion! I have missed a lot of Ning's earlier days and that drama, so I'm safe there. lol I started out as a decorator now I stumble through design. :)

Comment by Bob on March 1, 2011 at 1:30pm: It's too much for me to try to wade through, I can tell you that. If it weren't for you, I couldn't make it with Ning! So thankful for all that you do for all of us:}
Yeah ........what she said!!!!!

Comment by AnGella on February 26, 2011 at 7:31pm: You're welcome Barbara! ;)

Comment by Barbara Mc on February 26, 2011 at 7:20pm: It's too much for me to try to wade through, I can tell you that. If it weren't for you, I couldn't make it with Ning! So thankful for all that you do for all of us:}