NING Networks no longer free

[Tony]

The new pricing for NING networks can be found here:

http://about.ning.com/announcement/

So where to from here?

We have some time, firstly let's follow a path of elimination of the major choices.

1 - Stay at NING (roughly $200 per year), not sure about price indexing ?

2 - Move (using the automated content exporter when it becomes available) to a FREE newtork hosting service or cheaper alternative?

Kind Regards,
Tony

[Tony]

Thanks for the input Vaddix, a move to a free site has been ruled out for now.

Vaddix said:

What would moving the site entail? Would the site function the exact same way in a free domain? Would we all still have accounts? if not would we all have to move to the new domain? This would cause quite a lot of hassle and a possible loss in traffic and members due to confusion.

If we were to move to a free domain im sure the tool set will be very limited. Not like what we have now with a robust blog and forum section, as well as personal profile. We would have to find one similar in function and layout, with the ability to work in all browsers, post links videos pictures and blogs. Is there even a free domian out their that offers all of this? Most likley. Can their servers handle our traffic? that's something we would have to look into.

I dont know about you guys, i love the ning network, i love how this site functions, but i feel betrayed by ning, If met the director or ceo of ning id give them a big fat middle finger.
They could have made money off of charging for custom layouts, or tool-sets instead of taking the free networks option completely away.

[Vaddix]

Well since moving sites has been ruled out for now, i suggest with the time that the years subscription gets us (If we pay it), should be used for researching new site domains. I don't know if you have access to databases that tracks traffic and bandwidth But we should work all of that out and see if we can find free domains that can house us all.

[ian]

well i don't think anyone would mind moving sites if we could still post all of the stuff we do now. Are there any other hosts that would allow this much bandwidth for free?

[Tony]

Buddha, don;t worry about the bill. Free site has been ruled out as they in time would no doubt charge. NING was free and look where that got us.

buddha boy said:

move to a free provider there must be tons of them out there,i like this website i have been a part of it from the begining but i wouldnt be able to pay a fee,i cant pay my bills already

[Tony]

Videos, as it is now are not meant to be uploaded as it consumes bandwith. Most video's are imbed here at SoE. I believe the plan at $200 a year would suffice for now. Don't forget an upgrade to the full plan can be set in motion at any time.

Simone said:

So how much bandwidth would we need to maintain the site as it is? If videos are not uploaded and links provided instead, would that reduce the bandwidth needed? Do we need the premium support?

Tony said:

Ahhhhhh... love the enthusiasm and bliss...... I see your point about NING, it is a trusted site to us all by now and has my preference.

Besimi said:

SAVIORS OF EARTH ,WILL GO ON DEFINITELY !!!!!! ,NO QUESTION ABOUT IT :):):).

But wich Plan ,do we choose : Ning Plus ($200) or Ning Pro ($500).
--- If Ning Pro ,I pay $300 myself and for the rest You guys could help.
--- If Ning Plus ,I pay for it All myself. ...Definitely.


Ning Plus
The tools and features you need to build and grow a branded social network with high engagement – an incredible value at a great price ...$19.95/month
or $199.95/year* (save 16%) - Full feature set including events, groups, chat, pages and Ning AppsHelp Center support
..............................................................................Help Center support

Ning Pro
The ideal solution for building a comprehensive social experience, including additional features, integration, support and bandwidth
$49.95/month
or $499.95/year* (save 17%) - Full feature set plus video and music uploads and branded players
..............................................................................Premium support

[Tony]

Even if they did, who is to say they wont be charging in the near future? so it hardly seems worth the effort to move and then have to move again when a new free site starts charging.

ian said:

well i don't think anyone would mind moving sites if we could still post all of the stuff we do now. Are there any other hosts that would allow this much bandwidth for free?

[Tony]

Ian, I also have no idea what our current bandwith is. That information isnt supplied yet. It is offered as a service in two of the 3 plans.

Tony said:

Even if they did, who is to say they wont be charging in the near future? so it hardly seems worth the effort to move and then have to move again when a new free site starts charging.

ian said:

well i don't think anyone would mind moving sites if we could still post all of the stuff we do now. Are there any other hosts that would allow this much bandwidth for free?

[Besimi]

Tony , ..You just let me know ( if you find out first) ,when is time to pay, and where ,how.
I will charge my Debit card, for Ning Plus. ..if we need to upgrade later,as you mentioned earlier,we will do that too.
..................... :):):) Sweet love.

[Tony]

Thanks for the offer Besimi.

To all: Thank you for your thoughts, suggestions and offers.
A decision has been made.
The first year subscription will be picked up by myself. If we need to upgrade then we can always revisit this subject.

In oneness,
Tony

Besimi said:

Tony , ..You just let me know ( if you find out first) ,when is time to pay, and where ,how.
I will charge my Debit card, for Ning Plus. ..if we need to upgrade later,as you mentioned earlier,we will do that too.
..................... :):):) Sweet love.

[Simmy]

Dear Tony and Besimi,

This is so generous of you! Thank you so much for your dedication to this site and all it represents to us. I'm really grateful! But...I still want to help you guys financially. Please, could you send me a paypal account or something?

Love, light and gratitude.

Tony said:

Thanks for the offer Besimi.

To all: Thank you for your thoughts, suggestions and offers.
A decision has been made.
The first year subscription will be picked up by myself. If we need to upgrade then we can always revisit this subject.

In oneness,
Tony

Besimi said:

Tony , ..You just let me know ( if you find out first) ,when is time to pay, and where ,how.
I will charge my Debit card, for Ning Plus. ..if we need to upgrade later,as you mentioned earlier,we will do that too.
..................... :):):) Sweet love.

[Tony]

No, never felt better in saying NO :-) :-)
Thank you for the offer Simmy but the first year is covered, if we do come up short for bandwith or space then we will have to expand to the full blown plan and will definitely revisit the situation. We will be fine the first year and there is plenty of time to look to the future.

Simmy said:

Dear Tony and Besimi,

This is so generous of you! Thank you so much for your dedication to this site and all it represents to us. I'm really grateful! But...I still want to help you guys financially. Please, could you send me a paypal account or something?

Love, light and gratitude.

Tony said:

Thanks for the offer Besimi.

To all: Thank you for your thoughts, suggestions and offers.
A decision has been made.
The first year subscription will be picked up by myself. If we need to upgrade then we can always revisit this subject.

In oneness,
Tony

Besimi said:

Tony , ..You just let me know ( if you find out first) ,when is time to pay, and where ,how.
I will charge my Debit card, for Ning Plus. ..if we need to upgrade later,as you mentioned earlier,we will do that too.
..................... :):):) Sweet love.

[Simmy]

What can I say?
A huge THANK YOU SO MUCH for a start! Such an unselfish gesture!!
I'm forever grateful and please, don't hesitate in asking for my help when needed.

Love, light and gratitude.

Tony said:

No, never felt better in saying NO :-) :-)
Thank you for the offer Simmy but the first year is covered, if we do come up short for bandwith or space then we will have to expand to the full blown plan and will definitely revisit the situation. We will be fine the first year and there is plenty of time to look to the future.

Simmy said:

Dear Tony and Besimi,

This is so generous of you! Thank you so much for your dedication to this site and all it represents to us. I'm really grateful! But...I still want to help you guys financially. Please, could you send me a paypal account or something?

Love, light and gratitude.

Tony said:

Thanks for the offer Besimi.

To all: Thank you for your thoughts, suggestions and offers.
A decision has been made.
The first year subscription will be picked up by myself. If we need to upgrade then we can always revisit this subject.

In oneness,
Tony

Besimi said:

Tony , ..You just let me know ( if you find out first) ,when is time to pay, and where ,how.
I will charge my Debit card, for Ning Plus. ..if we need to upgrade later,as you mentioned earlier,we will do that too.
..................... :):):) Sweet love.