At the moment I'm looking at a variety of options for forums. One that I'd like some feedback on is using Ning as a forum and social network for Palm Sounds. I'd like to hear your views especially if you use it elsewhere.
Question about using Ning for a forum
I asked this the other day but didn't get any responses that were directly related to Ning or experience with it, so I thought I'd ask again in case anyone does have any feedback they're willing to give.
At the moment I'm looking at a variety of options for forums. One that I'd like some feedback on is using Ning as a forum and social network for Palm Sounds. I'd like to hear your views especially if you use it elsewhere.
At the moment I'm looking at a variety of options for forums. One that I'd like some feedback on is using Ning as a forum and social network for Palm Sounds. I'd like to hear your views especially if you use it elsewhere.
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8 comments:
I don't know anything about Ning or community software for that matter. But forums I've been on that look good, load quickly, and w/o a lot of adds have used vBulletin.
But I'm not sure if that's the kind of layout you're looking for.
Ning's ok I guess. Seems like it's meant for full fledged topical social networking than just a forum though.
I don't much like Ning as a user or as an admin. It is to fora what google sites is to squarespace: cheap, functional, fugly.
I guess it'll do the job though.
Have you considered VanillaForums.com - they do a hosted free forum with ads.
Vanilla might actually be a good idea, since they have a special mobile version that loads for mobile devices. You can see it here:
http://vanillaforums.com/features/mobile
I'd suggest Vanilla over Ning, that's for sure.
From my university's legal team, sounds like Ning's TOS weren't that reasonable. Since then, they've changed them to eliminate free versions and it sounds like they've been having financial problems. Don't think it's the best option, at this point, for a new community.
For Vanilla, a semi-disclaimer: I've met some of the key people and it's a Montreal-based company.
Haven't looked specifically at the Vanilla TOS, but they're using a WordPress-like model, with a full GPLed .org version for self-hosting along with a freemium .com version.
I installed Vanilla forums on a Webhost using a SimpleScript. Painless and useful. Administration is remarkably simple. It has themes and plugins which can be useful. Fun to use.
But I'm still a BuddyPress/bbPress fan. As a forum, bbPress is quite decent. And it's nicely integrated in BuddyPress, which has several more features making it more of a Ning-like social network. And, of course, the WordPress terms are very good (the only ones my university's legal team vouched for).
Don't know if you use a web host of any kind but it might be the best solution, overall.
Why not use Facebook groups?
My own circle of gaming friends (primarily a defunct CS clan consistency of grumpy old men in IT) has ditched vBulletin for Facebook. Too much hassle with server rentals etc. FB isnt perfect, but it works.
We also tried google groups but that was clunky. Its useful having one place to check stuff (FB).
I agree with the bbpress suggestion. That way, you can move your blog over to wordpress and the blog and the forum remain fully integrated. That's what the new CDM site is running.
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