Ning - An Introduction
Ning is a great website for those that want to create their own social network or just join new and different social networks. It is flexible enough and easy enough that even new users can enjoy the benefits. Creating a network can be a little confusing at first, but it doesn't take long to get the hang of it.
Pros
Very flexible.
Integrates with Flickr and Facebook.
Offers premium services like hosting on your own domain name for a monthly fee.
Social Networks can be set to public or private
Join one of over a hundred thousand social networks already created
Create your own social network.
Cons
It can be a little confusing at first when customizing your social network due to the abundance of features.
There's no quick link to your social network from the main site.
free product so expect ads (only a minimum amount so far.)
Very flexible.
Integrates with Flickr and Facebook.
Offers premium services like hosting on your own domain name for a monthly fee.
Social Networks can be set to public or private
Join one of over a hundred thousand social networks already created
Create your own social network.
Cons
It can be a little confusing at first when customizing your social network due to the abundance of features.
There's no quick link to your social network from the main site.
free product so expect ads (only a minimum amount so far.)
Higher Education Application
-It's wide array of features may exceed those currently available on any particular institution's WebCt or Bb site. It has a contemporary feel which may appeal to generation Y learners. It can be hosted by Ning and there server is optimized for the delivery of a variety of media quickly and easily (no crashing.) Since it can be set up private it can give the same experience as blogging without being visible beyond the immediate learning community.
Sociology Course Example
In a sociology course I teach there are opportunities for building a community of collaborative learners. I can use discussion topics for hot topics that learners are motivated to explore. They can also use groups to share resources on the web and to share ideas. Last week students were gathering resources on either health care reform or drugs. These groups could have been created in Ning.
Ning Summary
Ning is a social networking website that allows you to create your own social network, or you can join a social network created by someone else.
It's your choice, right down to the questions asked in the social network's profile. You can create a network about books, or music, or movies, or even just create one for your friends and family.
Ning has pretty extensive management features, which can be daunting at first, but it allows you to have a great deal of control over your new social network. It comes with features like a message forum, sending private messages, blogging, photo and video sharing, and even the ability to make your social network private so only those you invite can share in the fun.
You can also import pictures from Flickr and promote your new social network on your Facebook account. You can even host it on your own domain name and set up ads on your social network to generate revenue, though those features require a monthly fee. But Ning isn't just for those who want to create their own social network. There are over one hundred thousand social networks already running on Ning, so if you have a particular interest, chances are there is a social network for it.
Ning is very easy to use. Even starting a new social network is pretty easy. Ning guides you through the process, and you can have your own social network up and running within a few minutes. It can be a little daunting once it is up and running. There are a number of ways you can customize your social network, so adding new features can be a little confusing at first. But if you compare this to the amount of flexibility you have, it is a small price to pay.
*This review is based on the previous review by Daniel Nations.
