NING+(4+stars)

The site also provides customizable interest groups and event listing that appeal to network members. Features such as blogs and forum discussions give a voice to participants as well. // || // Remove Ning Promotion Links $7.95 per month By default, your social network displays links for your members to create their own social networks on Ning. You can remove these links with this option. This will not remove references to the Ning ID or the Ningbar at the top of your network.
 * Date |||| // September 17th, 2008 // || Rating ||  ê ê ê ê     (4 of 5 stars)  ||
 * Reviewer |||||||| // Jenny Conklin // ||
 * Web 2.0 tool name |||||| // NING // ||
 * Web address |||||| // http://www.ning.com/ // ||
 * Description of tool |||||| // Social networking site that allows users the ability to create member profiles with personal pages.
 * Cost |||||| // Free - includes adds and outside links not controlled by users (not recommended for student usage)

Control the Ads
$19.95 per month By default, Ning reserves the right to run ads on your social network. You can choose to remove the ads on your network or, alternatively, run ads from any advertising network with this option. ||

sections in the website, such as events, forums, discussions, etc. You can see who is a member of the site and easily click on their picture to access their personal pages where you can leave a comment. Easy to follow blog and discussion posts, with quick links to reply to the whole discussion or the individual post. // || Facebook Flicker RSS feeds // || // || As a site organizer, there are many features that are easily accessible and user friendly. They are found in a common area called 'manage'. In the 'Your network' section, the administrator has the ability to change the features of the site, which includes the ability to add and remove components (forums, discussions, groups, etc.) from the homepage by simply clicking and dragging.
 * ** Ease of use ** ||
 * Ease of navigation ||||  ê ê ê ê     || // As a user, NING is very easy to navigate. There are headings that delineate the different
 * Accessibility of help ||||  ê ê ê ê ê      || // Various tools for help, including a help center and site for developers. The help center has popular questions as well as a search feature to look up specific help topics. // ||
 * Quality of help ||||  ê ê ê ê ê      || // The help menu is easy to navigate. The information provided is clear and easy to follow. There are also links that relate topics. Therre is also a troubleshooter feature available. If you need specific help that is not available in the searchable section, you can use the NING blog to start a discussion or contact the provider for assistance using a support center/ticket system. // ||
 * On-line tutorials |||| No || // Could not find. // ||
 * ** Compatibility ** ||
 * Export capabilities ||||  ê ê   || // The only way to export the resources and information provided on the site is to cut and paste. When members register for an event posted in the NING, the organizer is unable to export a list of attendees. However, you are able to export a list of member to a CVS. file. // ||
 * Embedding capabilities ||||  ê ê ê ê ê      || // NING is not a tool that can be embedded in another website. However, it is possible to embed content into NING, such as photos, video, sound, widgets, flicker, RSS feeds, etc. // ||
 * Compatible with these programs |||| // a variety of badges and widgets
 * Advanced Features |||| // Developers networking capabilties // ||
 * ** Customization ** ||
 * Ease of editing ||||  ê ê ê    || // There is a very simple editing feature that includes the ability to bold, italics, underline, etc. When these features are in place however, it appears in the text field as html code, which may confuse users not familiar with it.
 * Ability to personalize ||||  ê ê ê ê ê      || // Each member can stylize their own pages using a very simple interface. You can also choose to develop your own page appearance by selecting the color of specific components and adding your own logo or image.

// || // || // (public, private) // ||||  ê ê ê ê ê      || // The website cannot be accessed by outside viewers of the internet. When the address of the NING is entered, the viewer will recieve a screen that indicates they must register or sign-in. // ||
 * ** Credibility ** ||
 * Quality of resources ||||  ê ê ê ê     || // The products and resources available to members of the NING community are dependent apon the community itself. Members create the content of their social network based on need and interest. As far as for the resources availble to the site organizers, they are user friendly and credible. // ||
 * Citation & sources |||| || // not applicable // ||
 * Endorsements ||||  ê ê ê ê     || // used by other educational and professional networks, including PLP // ||
 * ** Safety ** ||
 * User registration ||||  ê ê ê ê     || // Must be invited, members need to enter an email address, members must be approved by the site manager.
 * Website access
 * Advertisements ||||  ê ê   || // There are advertisments on the free version of the NING. These advertisements are external links that could potentially lead to inappropriate content. // ||
 * External Links ||||  ê ê ê    || // If using the free version of NING, there will be external links that may lead to inappropriate content. // ||


 * ** Comparable Tools ** ||
 * Facebook ||  ê ê ê    || // Not appropriate for Education. // ||
 * Myspace ||  ê  || //  Not appropriate for Education  // ||