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I have been reading many news posts and blog posts condemning NING for its recent bait and switch, its decision to go from a free platform to a premium platform only. I run a humble Ning community called ADDer World the ADHD Social Network and I have come to meet some wonderful, caring people who live in the world of ADD & ADHD either with it or with someone who has it, or just want to learn more from first hand experiences. It is needless to say a wonderful group and I will do everything in my power to keep it up and running! However, my positive thinking may be put to a major new test.
With that said, I have already been paying premium charges to Ning, so I am not on their completely free platform anyway – so what does this mean to me? I don’t know yet. If you do, let me know.
Here’s the thing about condemning Ning for their apparent bait and switch, it really should be no surprise to anyone. For years websites have been trying to stay afloat through advertising and making content available for free, but with the hard times and the ‘free’ model, folks simply are, for the most part, not buying from the advertising available, and because there is so much advertising across the net people have come to ignore most of it. Hey, so have I.
The thing is, nothing can survive for free forever. Our current economic woes are in some part related to the sudden freeness that came with the Internet. Not all of us want to hear this or believe this, but it is true. Say for example you have saved money thanks to the Internet in some way, that’s great, however, it has a cost and some folks are out of work because of it. That’s life and it’s not wrong per say, but it is, as they say, the way it is.
So, condemning Ning isn’t right, or wrong, but rather short-viewed. Many Ning Social Networks will close and many will move to another platform, but how long will those platforms remain free? Your guess is as good as mine – how long can you or me survive and feed our families by earning no income for the jobs we do? It’s an easy question, with an easy answer, but it’s a very hard reality. We can blame the banks and wall-street all day long, but we shouldn’t ignore the role the world wide web has played in the current crises, because it is still contributing to the problem even while it creates new opportunities.
This is not to say the Internet is not good or has not provided new ways to create an income. It is thanks to the Internet that I can spread my ideas and messages. It is also thanks to the WWW that I have published my books and made them available to you. It is through the sales of my books with which I pay my Internet dues – domains are not free, nor are the premium costs coming from sites like Ning. Eventually, most of what is currently ‘free’ on the Internet will not be free anymore, but there is GOOD news, much of the advertising will be gone.
If you would like to read what I am trying to do to pay premium costs from Ning and pay domain costs, please read: ADDer World will NOT be closing!
~Bryan
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As a member of ADDer World from the beginning, I am sincerely grateful for all of the insightful, thought-provoking, educational, encouraging and extremely helpful information provided through this website. What has been the most helpful for me is knowing that I am not alone in the daily challenges & frustrations of living with ADHD.
ADDer World has made it possible (for FREE!) to meet other ADDers, parents of children or teenagers with ADD/ADHD and professionals working with ADDers.
Through the years of being a member on ADDer World, I have met the most warmest, transparent, courageous, persistent & creative group of people! In addition, I have learned to trust my inner instincts, to not give up hope in myself, to keep on keeping on even when the road is bumpy & to press onward to gain new strategies to help me overcome my own personal difficulties as an ADDer mom raising 3 ADDer kids.
All hats off to Bryan & Joan Hutchinson for their AWESOME talent, time, creativity, hard work, knowledge, selflessness, passion and dedication to all of the members on ADDer World!!!
In response to NING changing their social website from FREE to become a premium platform, I do understand the logic behind this decision because it is very apparent that our economy has been seriously struggling.
My concern for NING to charge premiums is that many individuals & families have been negatively affected by the poor economy with lay offs, house foreclosures and unexpected financial hardships.
Keeping that in mind, it may not be financially possible for numerous individuals & families to maintain an active membership on ADDer World or any social network.
I am relieved to discover that ADDer World is NOT closing, but my question is: How much will you as well as members be charged by NING and what date will this take place?
Thank you for keeping us informed and thank you for all of your time, attention & concern!
Reply to DanaHi Dana, thank you so much, very nice of you. You and other members will not be charged anything for remaining members and new members will not be charged either. As far as being a member, it will be same as always FREE!
However, with that said, it does seem as though Ning owners, like myself, may be charged more, so in that light I have posted via the link above how you and other members can help, but only if you would like to
Bests,
Bryan
Reply to Bryan HutchinsonIt was in the plan from the begining to offer ning for free then when everyone’s “hooked” so to speak, and would come to find it hard to let go of the site they’ve created, ning would start to charge. They are not suffering. Trust me. It’s another one of those things called greed.
Reply to Sirra