Ning (company)
| Ning, Inc.
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| legal form | Corporation |
| founding | 2004 |
| Seat | Brisbane , United States |
| management | Jason Rosenthal , CEO |
| Number of employees | > 100 (2011) |
| sales | US $ 30 million (2011, estimated) |
| Branch | Social media |
| Website | www.de.ning.com |
Ning is an online platform for creating social websites. With Ning people and organizations can easily create their individually tailored social network . Ning was launched in October 2005. Ning offers its customers the opportunity to create a community website with an individual design and message. You can use functions such as E.g. groups, chat , events, RSS feed, music player, newsletter tool, photos, videos and blogs . Through the integration of Facebook , Twitter , Google and Yahoothe "Like" function and synchronized publishing can be supported on all platforms. In addition, this integration gives members the opportunity to log in or register with Ning using social sign-in and social sign-up with the account details of other social networks. Ning, Inc. is part of Glam Media and the operating company is based in Brisbane , California .
The service enables customers to collect a membership fee directly within their Ning network. Customers can also monetize their Ning network with the help of service providers , such as web stores powered by Ning partnerships or by adding advertising like Google AdSense . Unlike some other social media providers, Ning itself is ad-free.
There are around 100,000 social websites (as of September 2011), also known as Ning networks, that run on the Ning platform. Ning has approximately 100 million registered user profiles. Ning offers its customers three tariffs: Mini, Plus and Pro. The tariffs are offered with different scope of services and have different prices so that customers can choose a tariff that is most suitable for their social community. After a tariff has been selected, a customer can switch to another tariff at any time. In June 2011, Ning had 65 million unique visitors per month worldwide on its platform.
Ning was founded by Marc Andreessen and Gina Bianchini . Ning is the third company to be co-founded by Andreessen (after Netscape and Opsware ).
history
The Chinese word “Ning” ( Chinese simplified : 宁; Chinese traditional: 寧; Pinyin : níng) means “peace”, as Gina Bianchini explains in the company blog. The development of Ning began in October 2004, the public launch of the platform took place in October 2005. Ning was initially financed internally by Bianchini and Andreessen as well as by business angels . In July 2007, Ning secured $ 44 million in venture capital , primarily from Legg Mason . In March 2008, the company also announced that it had received an additional US $ 60 million from an undisclosed group of investors. In July 2009, the company received $ 15 million, primarily from Lightspeed Venture Partners .
On April 15, 2010, Managing Director Jason Rosenthal announced changes at Ning: The free service should be discontinued and only 98 of the 167 employees at the time should remain in the company. Customers of the free service had the choice of switching to a paid account or migrating their content from Ning to other providers.
On September 21, 2011, the company announced the merger with Glam Media .
Performance characteristics
Ning is the world's largest platform for creating social websites. Ning is aimed at people who want to set up their own topic-specific online communities and social networks on specific topics with an individual design, range of functions and membership. The central function of Ning is that everyone can create their own social network on a specific topic or purpose, tailored to a specific membership base or the needs of a specific community. With Ning, the operator can define the designs himself in a variety of ways, manage all personal content individually and integrate all social community tools such as Facebook or Twitter . By integrating music, videos, activity and live streams , groups, feeds, video live streams and other services, the website created with Ning bundles all activities on the Internet. People who join a Ning network each have their own member profile within the community concerned.
A Ning community can be established with social media platforms such as B. Link Facebook and Twitter, as well as online services such as Google . For example, you can log into a Ning network with your Facebook or Twitter account and post content from a Ning network directly to your Twitter or Facebook account. Members can integrate content from these services directly into a Ning network, as well as other services and media, such as YouTube and Vimeo videos or music players from MySpace or SoundCloud.
When Ning was launched, it was a universal platform for developing and hosting “social applications” on an open source basis. The source code for Ning applications was made available to users, and anyone could easily derive a development branch ( fork ) from an existing Ning application, modify the PHP code and operate the result as a separate platform. The applications included photo albums, blogging software and various solutions for publishing customer opinions. At the end of September 2006, Ning reduced the range to a group website, a photo website and a video website that users could copy and adapt for their own purposes. These three templates were later replaced by a single, customizable application that anyone can use to easily create a social website and create their own social network. However, Ning also gives developers limited access to the source code level of their social networks so that they can modify functions and the underlying logic.
The modification of functions was temporarily blocked on October 21, 2008. The company planned to replace direct source code access with the ability to modify the logic of existing functions using OpenSocial and a number of new APIs that were released in early 2009.
Ning originally had both free and paid offerings; In April 2010, a three-tier, fee-based system was implemented. The tariff levels differ in their scope of functions, viral marketing tools, adaptability and customer support.
The social networks running on the Ning platform are programmed in PHP ; the platform itself is implemented in Java .
In November 2008, Ning announced a partnership with Scripts4Ning , whereby the products of this development team could be integrated directly into Ning and offered free of charge.
The administrators of Ning networks can choose between different options with which different levels of visibility, privacy and membership can be realized.
In March 2009, Ning added an iPhone interface, and in August 2009 the network compatibility with mobile devices was improved. In October 2010, Ning released an iOS application (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) for network administrators to manage their social networks.
In December 2011, Ning was acquired by Glam Media , the world's largest vertical online content company with the highest online reach in the lifestyle segment.
In February 2011, Ning introduced a new way for customers to customize and change the appearance of their Ning networks: the Ning Design Studio. This function offers customers a selection of ready-made templates with different colors, fonts, background and foreground images and layouts . Customers can adapt, freely design and change these templates or make customer-specific changes to their community using CSS . The Design Studio also allows customers to change the column layout and width, giving them new options in addition to the standard three-column layout for Ning networks prior to the Design Studio launch.
The community
Ning has around 100,000 customers (as of September 2011) with social websites on the Ning platform. A number of different creatives, companies, brand providers, associations, institutions, communities and organizations use Ning as the basis for their websites, including Linkin Park, 50 Cent, The Twilight Saga, Tony Hawk's Shred or Die, TuDiabetes from the Diabetes Hands Foundation, the Brooklyn Art Project, T20.com - Home of Global Cricket and the Nerdfighters hosted by John and Hank Green ( Vlogbrothers ).
Controversy
Exclusion of a third party
In August 2008, Widget Laboratory (then the largest third-party provider of plug-in enhancements for Ning) was banned from the Ning platform and the use of its tools in all Ning networks was prohibited. An article on TechCrunch about this conflict sparked heated debate.
Removal of pornographic networks
In December 2008, Ning announced that it would no longer host networks containing pornography or similar content in the future . The network operators were given a little more than a month to migrate their pornographic content from other providers. The reasons given for the removal of the pornographic networks were that their operation was not cost-effective for Ning and that they caused a disproportionate number of requests to delete copyrighted material under the DMCA .
Removal of the search function
In November 2009, Ning's search function was removed. This change severely limited the ability to find existing Ning networks. Search functionality was restored on March 29, 2010.
Removal of free networks
Numerous web services announced that Ning would shut down all free networks, and some actively tried to poach them from their operators. When the operators searched the platform for confirmation of this announcement, they found little or no information, received ready-made answers to their questions and were put off for further information in two weeks. Several Ning employees also disappeared in the wake of the "announcement," although it is unclear whether this was voluntary or dismissal. Operators never received a formal announcement, even though Jason Rosenthal eventually republished the original message more than 24 hours after the decision.
On May 4, 2010, Ning sent an official email to all members:
"We want to provide a new level of innovation to network creators - and build all the valuable features network creators have asked us to. To get there, we need to focus 100% on paid Ning networks. This phasing out of free services won't happen until July, so you'll have plenty of time to weigh your options. We'll do our best to provide you with a migration path if you don't wish to continue with Ning, but we'd love to have you come along for all of the exciting future developments. "
Translation:
“We want to offer our network operators a new level of innovation - and integrate all the useful functions that the operators have asked for from us. To achieve this, we need to focus 100% on paid Ning networks. The phasing out of the free service won't happen until July, so you'll have plenty of time to weigh your options. We will do our best to provide you with a migration option if you do not want to continue working with Ning, but we would be very happy if you would stay with us and benefit from all the exciting developments in the future. "
In email notifications to the Ning network operators, it was announced that the free Ning networks would be permanently shut down on Friday, August 20 at midnight (UTC-08: 00), unless the customer opts for one of the paid options decided.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Corporate Info, History ( Memento of the original dated July 30, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Ning, accessed June 12, 2011
- ^ Ning's Second Coming Is Chugging Along, On Its Way To A $ 30 Million Revenue Run Rate , Dan Frommer, Business Insider, Feb. 3, 2011
- ^ Social Graph-iti , The Economist, October 18, 2007
- ↑ The Ning POV: How Custom Social Communities Can Change the World , Christina Lee, June 21, 2011
- ↑ Ok, I am excited by Gina Bianchini, Ning Blog, October 3, 2005
- ↑ Ning Partners With Janrain To Offer Social Sign-Ins To Users , Leena Rao TechCrunch, November 10, 2010
- ^ Introducing Paid Access - Transform Your Community into a Social Business , Jonathan Shambroom, Ning Blog, June 15, 2011
- ^ Ning Makes It Easier Than Ever to Build and Monetize Successful Social Networks With Two New Partnerships , Market Wire, June 16, 2010
- ^ A b c With Revenue Up 400%, Ning Adds Paid Access Service , Tomio Geron, Forbes, June 15, 2011
- ↑ Ning Announces Ustream Integration Into Social Websites ( Memento of the original from June 26, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Mariel Loveland, Scribbal, June 7, 2011
- ↑ Glam Buys Ning For $ 150 Million, Andreessen Joins Board , Erick Schonfeld, September 20, 2011
- ^ Ning's New Plans Go Live , Darnell Clayton, The Blog Herald, June 21, 2011
- ↑ "About Ning - Billing and Refund Policy" ( Memento of the original from November 6, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Ning, as of June 21, 2011
- ^ The Story Behind the Ning Name , Gina Bianchini, Ning Blog, April 11, 2007
- ↑ a b Andreessen adds some Ning to the Web , Martin LaMonica, CNET news, October 6, 2005
- ↑ Ning news: new investment round ( Memento of the original from October 20, 2007 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Marc Andreesen, blog.pmarca.com, July 9, 2007
- ↑ Ning news: Series D investment round ( Memento of the original from January 29, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Marc Andreessen, April 18, 2008
- ↑ Ning Raises $ 15 Million More at a – Yes, Really– $ 750 Million Valuation , Kara Swisher, AllThingsD.com, July 21, 2009
- ↑ TechCrunch - Ning's Bubble Bursts: No More Free Networks, Cuts 40% Of Staff
- ↑ Glam Media Acquires Ning , Ben Parr, Mashable, Sept. 21, 2011
- ↑ Web pioneer touts Ning Inc. as easy to use social network ( Memento of the original dated May 31, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Michael Liedtke, Rocky Mountain News, March 5, 2007
- ↑ Get Your Music Heard By 50 Cent's Label, Thanks to SoundCloud & Ning , Brenna Ehrlich, Mashable, February 14, 2011
- ^ Platform Wars: Ning
- ↑ Badges badges badges , alexei, Ning Blog, December 1, 2005
- ^ The Ning Platform: A Few Updates , Gina Bianchini, Ning Blog, October 21, 2008
- ^ Ning's Social Networks Get Their Own App Platform
- ^ Ning Fails at Free Social Networking , Eliot Van Buskirk, April 16, 2010
- ↑ Andreessen: PHP succeeding where Java isn't , Stephen Shankland, CNET News, October 19, 2005
- ^ A Little Company News ... , Jason Rosenthal, Ning Blog, Nov. 20, 2008
- ↑ Keep up with your social network from your iPhone ... , Evan Goldin, Ning Blog, November 20, 2008
- ↑ (Update) Tonight's release is live!… , Evan Goldin, Ning Blog, August 26, 2009
- ↑ Just one more thing ... , Evan Goldin, Ning Blog, October 20, 2010
- ^ Ning Design Studio, coming February 9 , Nick Barr, Ning Blog, February 2, 2011
- ↑ Ning Design Studio & Instant Ad Boxes Are Live! , Nick Barr, Ning Blog, February 9, 2011
- ↑ South by Southwest & Back, Erika Gessin, Ning Blog, March 24, 2011
- ↑ SHRED OR DIE: Straight Up SK8 Memories & Some Straight Talk From Tony Hawk , Fidel Gonzales, Dirt Forge, March 25, 2010
- ↑ TuDiabetes launches TuAnalyze with a Custom Ning App, Laura Oppenheimer, Ning Blog, May 19, 2010
- ↑ Ning Opens a Virtual Gift Shop With Custom-Made Gifts , New York Times, October 20, 2009
- ↑ Ning Nuzzles Up To Advertisers, Helen Coster, Forbes, June 30, 2009
- ^ Jason Kincaid: Ning Shuts Down Premium Developer Widget Laboratory . In: TechCrunch , August 22, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2009.
- ^ Gina Bianchini: The End of the Red Light District . In: Ning Blog , December 1, 2008. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
- ↑ Changes to Ning.com - a rational Gina Bianchini, Ning Blog 11 November, 2009
- ^ The Return of Search on Ning.com Brent Vincent, Ning Blog, March 26, 2010
- ↑ Current Progress on Ning Search ( Memento of the original from April 16, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Brent Vincent, Ning Blog, March 1, 2010
- ↑ Ning Update: Rolling Out Full Details May 4th ( Memento of the original from January 31, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. Jason Rosenthal, Ning Creators, April 16, 2010
Web links
- Official website
- Official company blog
- Ning Help Center
- Ning Creators Meeting point for operators of Ning networks to exchange experiences
- Interview with Gina Bianchini, Intruders tv video
- Audio interview with Marc Andreessen about Ning, social networks and education (July 2007)
- Audio interview with Gina Bianchini about Ning (April 2007)
- Interview with Gina Bianchini Bianchini describes "viral expansion loops" and how to successfully build a social network (May 2008)
- The Benefits of a Network article in the New York Times