Important Announcement

[Balder]

I just learned that Ning will soon be phasing out all free networks and will move to a premium-only platform.  I have not been entirely satisfied with Ning, and I'm not really in a place to pay a monthly fee to maintain this forum, so I will be looking for a new home.  I attempted to create one experimentally on a different site already, but soon discovered there are post-length limitations there that would significantly inhibit us.  So I will look at a few more options -- including, possibly, the one that Matthew (from Gaia) and Stephen Dinan (from the Shift network) are creating -- and will let everyone know soon what the new home for IPS will be.

 

We jumped one sinking ship, apparently, only to have climbed aboard another.  Hopefully the third time will be the charm!

[xibalba]

hI Balder

If you launch a fundraising in order to deal with financial aspects of managing your site, just tell, I would be happy to contribute

cheers

[Douglas R Wallack]

"We jumped one sinking ship, apparently, only to have climbed aboard another. Hopefully the third time will be the charm!"...

Seems to be a metaphor for the times, eh Bruce?

I wish you good searching ;-)

[Edward theurj Berge]

Yes, I too would be willing to make a monthly contribution to keep this location afloat. Too much jumping around will disperse interest to the point of dissipation. How much does Ning want monthly?

[Balder]

Thank you, X. I am trying to avoid having to go that route, but I sincerely appreciate your offer.

Thanks, Doug, too -- it definitely is an appropriate one. I think I'll go home and watch 2012 this evening, just to get in better touch with the Zeitgeist.

[Balder]

Okay, Ed, thank you for letting me know. I will keep this option on the table then (staying on Ning for a fee).

Because of other issues, Davidu and I have already created a new version of my TSK site elsewhere (over on SocialGo). Check it out and let me know what you think of it: http://timespaceknowledge.socialgo.com/home.html

Best wishes,

B.

[Edward theurj Berge]

If SocialGo is free and has the same capabilities as Ning, and if Ning's fees are prohibitive, then I'll pack my bag again.

[Christophe]

Me too I'm okay with paying for things that are important to me.
Also I find the advertisment on Ning not too annoying. I even liked some of the 'meet Hot Singles on Facebook' banners .. ahaha

Okay whatever happens, I plan to be on the boat.. keep us posted Bruce.

cheers

[Balder]

FYI, I discovered another option: an open source network social network company called Elgg, which apparently is opening this month. In this case, I believe I would download the software and possibly pay for a hosting service (about $4 a month, it appears).

I'll check it out. But I think it may be better just to keep things simple: either move to The Shift network when it opens (I heard a Gaia employee saved the entire IPS forum, though I don't know if it can/will be restored on Shift), or else stay here and pay a little. SocialGo is another decent option -- they've got a few better features than Ning, at present -- but I'll need to see what Ning's "new, improved" configuration will be before deciding that.

[Edward theurj Berge]

I got an email from Gaia Ning saying the new Ning cost will be $19.95 per month or $199.95 per year. I am willing to contribute $5 monthly to keep this pod alive. 3 more contributors and we're there. Anyone?

[andrew]

199.95 a year seems reasonable as does the 150.00 bucks for the new new integral subtle download:)
i know i'm a bit of a smart ass but i really appreciate this form and the contributors so i'm in for 10.00 bucks a month! let mw know how to pay this......

[Balder]

Edward, Andrew, thank you very much for your offer to contribute to the monthly maintenance of this forum on Ning. I was planning to shut the place down, as you know, but I will reconsider that. I'll let you know.

[andrew]

my hope is that you keep it running bruce! 200.00 bucks doesn't seem like such a bad deal. because of the seasonal nature of my work a once a year debit would work better for me:)

Balder said:

Edward, Andrew, thank you very much for your offer to contribute to the monthly maintenance of this forum on Ning. I was planning to shut the place down, as you know, but I will reconsider that. I'll let you know.