CrimeSpace News: Ning to start charging for service

[Daniel Hatadi]

Ning, the company that provides the servers and software that CrimeSpace runs on, is no longer going to be free. Since its launch and since CrimeSpace's launch, Ning has been an advertising supported service, but this is about to change.

From http://creators.ning.com/forum/topics/ning-update-rolling-out-full:

As part of this change, we’ll be phasing out our free service.  On May 4, 2010, we will share with you all of the details of our new offering, including features and price points, through a series of blog posts, emails, and conference calls. We recognize that there are many active Ning Networks for teachers, small non-profits, and individuals and it's our goal to have a set of product and pricing options that will
make sense for all of them. For Ning Creators using our free service who
choose to move to another service, we will offer a migration path and time to make that change. We will still continue to allow free trials
and test networks on the Ning Platform.

We look forward to talking to you further on May 4th.

Seeing as we have no idea what the pricing scheme is, I won't be making any decisions until then. They do mention a transition plan so I expect that CrimeSpace will run as normal for the next few months at least.

Just to make it clear, members won't be paying to use CrimeSpace, whatever happens. And I don't plan for CrimeSpace to die a horrible digital death in a ditch somewhere, covered in rotting binary code, with computer techs discussing the amount of electrical lividity as they decide on the time of death either.

For now, all I can say is if the new pricing is sensible I'll keep CrimeSpace going; if not, I'll keep it going while I research other options. Chances are that there will be some sort of affordable option to keep the site on Ning. And, personally, I'd rather do that than have to figure out a nice way to get 2,500+ members to move all their content to another site. It'd be like asking everyone at a warehouse party to move to another location because the cops are on their way.

There's a lot of speculation and great ideas in the other, more dramatically titled thread, but I'd like to keep this info up here so people don't have to go searching through the comments to make sense of what's happening at CrimeSpace.

I'll let everyone know more about what's going on some time after May 4th, allowing for enough time for me to recover from the massive self-medication I will most probably spread out over an entire evening of escapism.

Or maybe after a small glass of scotch...

[Jack Getze]

Daniel -- Just so you know. I love this site. I think it's one of the best for writers, anywhere. From the newest newbie to the chief editor at one of our biggest publishing houses. It's been such a success, we must find a way to keep it going. Please, don't be afraid to ask for help.

[Daniel Hatadi]

Aww, shucks. I will keep that in mind, Jack.

[Jon Loomis]

+1. There's no shame in holding an annual fundraiser--all the big blogs do it. I'm guessing all the forum regulars would be happy to chip in.

[B.R.Stateham]

Instead of cash. . . . could we barter a deal? I got two dead sheep and a lifeless Chevy I could give you. No, really Daniel. I agree with Jack and Jon. This has been a great place. I'm still in favor of a couple of writing contests where everyone who enters pays a submission's fee. Frankly I think it'd be a feather in one's cap if their story got picked by the judges (and I betcha there'd be a lot of fine writers who would be more than happy to voluneer judging).

You're call. But if I can help, I will.

[J. F. Juzwik]

Daniel, To echo Jack's comment, I also love this site. I have discovered some of my favorite writers because of Crimespace, and there is always so much information and help on here. I also want to thank you for keeping everyone up to date. You'd be surprised how many other networks simply ignore questions or refuse to address the topic. I guess they just don't care if their network just fades into wherever. Frankly, if that's their attitude, why should I? We look forward to hearing from you on this in the future, and thanks again for keeping us all informed. Joyce

[I. J. Parker]

As I said on "the more dramatic thread" above, I totally support this site. It's better than anything I've seen elsewhere. If you move, I'll move with you. If you need to cover fees, I'll be a part of that. If there's anything else I can do, I will.
I really think you've designed a wonderful site. People love it here.

[Benjamin Sobieck]

So what's the latest? This thread hasn't been updated in a while.

[Daniel Hatadi]

Ning have posted a 'teaser' on what's happening, but it won't be until July when they roll out the plans.

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

$200 a year isn't bad. It includes the ability to run ads and I can probably get half that amount from there. If it's $100 a year with a little PayPal donation button it should be fine.

I'll post up another thread to keep things up to date.

[Jack Getze]

This is good news, Daniel.

[Rebecca B. Swets]

Dan: I'm all for keeping this network going, but if the cost gets too much for ya, let all of us know. I'm sure we could cough up a little bit of dough to keep the conversation going.

[Mary McFarland]

Daniel, I agree with everyone.  I learn so much and get a huge benefit from this community.  Is WordPress an option?  I don't like their setup; too complicated or at least not as easy to administer as Ning.  I like the idea of the contest and fees, but that could get you some bad press from people who might look askance at it.  Just sayin'.  I'm with I.J.  Whatever you need, I'll do.  Chivas?  Only a small glass?  Hmmmm. Perhaps, the entire bottle for this venture.