Ning + wiki - skills = ?

November 7, 2013 12:37 AM

I want to make a website for a project I'm working on that includes both a Ning-like discussion forum and a wiki. Suggestions?

A few relevant criteria:

1. The content of the site should be accessible to members only. A public-accessible front page and blog would be nice though.

2. Cheap is good, preferably <$30 a month.

3. Idiot-proof is good. I have basically no programming skills.

I've started working with Ning and like the ease of setting up and managing pages and discussions, but I can't figure out how to include a wiki. I am open to suggestions for alternate platforms, or to advice on how to insert a wiki into Ning.

posted by Tsuga to Computers & Internet (4 answers total)

How many people do you need it to work for? For a small group you might find it's easier to just set up a separate wiki and link to it from something like Ning, but get into dozens or hundreds of people and that's trickier.
posted by Sequence at 3:57 AM on November 7, 2013

Response by poster: We are aiming for 100—200 people.
posted by Tsuga at 7:46 AM on November 7, 2013

The Google suite of products can be cobbled together to incorporate these and more. Start with Google Sites and add Google Groups for a discussion forum. (It's not user-friendly but it does work once you figure it out). Your cost will be free, or $50/year if you want Google Apps added (more space, certain admin features, etc).

If you want not free but "pretty" and user-friendly, you can do Basecamp for $20/month.
posted by rada at 11:07 AM on November 7, 2013

Response by poster: After further research, I ended up going with wikidot.com. It permits wikis, obviously, but one can also easily add a forum to one's site. Best of all, it's free to educators and researchers.
posted by Tsuga at 1:57 PM on November 8, 2013