Ning-a-ding-ding

I posted an article on some Ning nudist social sites last April. I later added an update saying that these sites would no longer be free, and that a contribution might be requested from members in some cases.
Now, the sites will go through another metamorphosis of sorts as the Ning service will allow NO NUDITY WHATSOEVER starting August 19.

The Ning sites I have joined and are nudist per se are Skinbook, Bare Friends International (BFI) and Free Range Nudists (since renamed Free Range Naturists, or FRN). The different services strived to maintain high naturist standards, i.e., no erection or crotch shots, no sexual banter, no swinging, no alternative communities, etc. Some of the sites only required a profile pic. Others insisted that at least three “respectful” nude pictures be posted, and even three pictures in “naturist settings.”

Another Ning site, Lenny's Room of Friends and Fun, isn’t nudist but it allowed nudists (and others) to post nude pictures. Lenny’s Room will continue on Ning despite the new anti-nudity rule. Since nudism is not its main raison d’être, there would be no need to transition, and it will continue “as is” minus the nude photos. For the other sites, though, a nudist social networking site must at least allow nudity, so in that sense at least, staying on Ning would not be an option.

Skinbook says it will first seek an exemption from Ning for its group, but if that doesn’t work out, everything will be transferred intact to a new platform, with no need to re-register. All that will change is the site address. So far, with two days to go as of this writing, I have heard nothing about having received special permission from Ning to continue as is, nor anything about a new Web address having even been chosen.

BFI and FRN have chosen a different path. In the case of BFI, the original creators had backed out of operating the site due to illness, and since Ning refused to deal with anyone besides the creators, the administrators who took over operating the site had their hands tied on certain issues. There was therefore already talk some months ago about moving away from Ning, and the anti-nudity rule seems to have been the final impetus to put the plan in action. The site can now be found at a new address and it would appear the service will continue to be offered at no cost to members. But those who want to stay with BFI must register at the new site and transfer any photos or other material there themselves.

FRN tried first going the diaspora route with members joining groups on MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo, Flickr, Google, etc., and even creating an FRN group on Skinbook. Most recently, they found a new home on the elgg system, which does allow nudity. Like BFI, FRN must work out some bugs in its system, but the service is still offered at no cost to members. However, those who were members before and want to stay must register at the new site.

With all that, it’s still puzzling why Ning, after first having approved “non-Adult” (non-sexual) nudity, suddenly did an about face and decided it didn’t want any nudity after all. This would seem to be in line with Facebook’s policy where even breastfeeding can’t be shown. Only Ning can say why it has now decided to prohibit even the most innocent of nudity. They say many of the problems they encountered with the more “adult” style nudity have been occurring with the other type as well. They don’t say what those problems are.