Ning Archive

Earlier today we reported on the announcement of a free Wi-Fi zone in midtown Manhattan by CBS. Part of the announcement includes information on the ad-supported homepage. The homepage is actually a white label social network provided by Ning.

As I started to think about this partnership some more while enjoying pizza with friends at Lombardi’s, why didn’t CBS select local providers KickApps or Magnify.net? Both provide robust social networking services on the same level as Ning and they are both local to NYC.

Ning has the Internet celebrity founder but otherwise I just don’t see why CBS wouldn’t select local. I am by no means saying Ning is inferior, they all basically provide the same service, each has a bit of innovation in different areas.

Any one out on the Interwebs have any thoughts? Was either site even in the running? Check out our previous Ning, Magnify.net and KickApps coverage.

Today marks the invite-only beta launch of PlayboyU. Now my first reaction is that PlayboyU is a social network built around their 40 million college girl photos. But alas, I would be wrong. It's yet another social network that offers no additional value from any other networks. Pete says its a little like Facebook but more like MySpace. Mike believes this is good validation for Ning, the semi-white-labeled social networking service. The bottom line is that Playboy = female nudity and without it is a recipe for social networking failure. This social network is only accessible for those who have an .edu email address (I wonder how many don't have one).

Same features as the other Ning networks and same as all of the other social networks already out there. I guess they forgot one important thing. No one worries about opening Facebook in a classroom. Can you imagine the one dork who opens PlayboyU in the middle of a chem class? Yea, that will go over well. I am sure it will be big in the frats.

How long before nude photos are posted? I start the bidding at 1 week. Want a real Playboy social network? Take every living playmate, give them an account, let people friend them, and get updates, events, Twitters, daily photos on sms, etc. That would most likely work.