Mild panic has ensued on the web, with the announcement that Ning, the customisable social network, will cease its free service as of 4th May 2010.

The changes are being made to better serve the current 75% of traffic, which comes to Ning sites that have opted for the paid service. These users will now get the full focus of Ning, its development and improved services.

However, that leaves many people – or 25% of Ning’s traffic with nowhere to go (no paddle or canoe), with Ning at least. However, there are other options and Ning is offering to make any such transition as smooth as possible.

Fortunately, someone has already done their homework. The Free Technology for Teachers blog has a post on Alternatives to Ning, outlining the options for each network, illustrated with embedded introductory videos.

Libraries Interact’s Peta Hopkins also offers some suggestions at her blog InnOvate, of further alternatives – thinking a little outside the box.

She also raises the ever-present questions that hover over any free net service, of  risk versus value.

Which to me begs the question, with Ning opting to go the paid service route. Will other free service providers opt to go the same direction and shift their models to exclusively paid service only?

What do you think?

BRW Magazine launched the top 100 Australian Web applications in a feature section on Web 2.0 in 19th June issue. The article in BRW is only accessible online by subscription (check to see if your library’s databases have it covered), but the full list is available from Ross Dawson’s blog.

Applications are included on the basis of being predominantly Australian applications, not just content, web-based that create value from participation and which represent genuine innovation. There is further background including criteria and insights also available from Dawson’s blog in Early insights from the Top 100 Australian Web 2.0 applications.

Of the 100 listed, I know of about 10 and have only ever used a few and those not even regularly. Would love to hear of your experiences with any of the applications on this list and whether you think there are any others out there that didn’t make the list, but should have. I know I will be checking them all out in coming weeks.