My favorite social networking tools and services: Ning

[Bill Drew]

Without a platform to create social networks, social networking would be limited to IM and e-mail. My favorite site for creating social network website is Ning. Ning was started by internet pioneer Marc Andressen and Gina Bianchini . I do not work for Ning nor do I receive any compensation from them. I have created a very active network there called Library 2.0 and a private network that was used to organize an event for my daughter's graduating high school class.

Technical support at Ning is excellent and is free. There is Network Creators where ideas and suggestions are shared. It is a great place for newbies as well. You can use Ning in hundreds of ways to develop your social network. The Ning platform is also under constant development with new features coming available for free on a monthly basis.

Features for the free version of Ning include:

1. Use your logo — or any other image — at the top of your network. Fully customize the look of your network by choosing a theme or creating your own design with CSS.
2. Add Text & Widgets - Insert widgets from other websites or create an area for your weekly column, special promotions or community announcements.
3. Member Profiles - Each member of your network has a fully customizable profile with their photo, basic information and everything they’ve contributed to the network. Each member also has their own blog.
4. Event Listings - Schedule events, invite network members, and keep track of who’s attending.
5. Interest Groups - Create groups inside your social network around hobbies, interests, affinities, geographical locations and more.
6. Real-time Activity Stream - Keep up with the members of your social network. Find out what your members are saying, how they’re interacting and what they’re sharing.
7. Discussion Forum - Get people talking. Start a discussion on any topic and watch your members respond with posts, photos and attachments.
8. Custom Video Players - Upload original footage or share videos from popular video services like YouTube, Google Video and Vimeo.
9. Photos & Slideshows - Post photos and organize them into albums. You and your members can show off your photos in galleries or slideshows.
10. Viral Widgets - Create a network badge that your members can display with pride on their MySpace profile, blog or website.
11. Facebook Integration - Members can share photos, videos and music from your social network on their Facebook profiles.

Give it a try. It is free and easy to use. It is also fun!