The full article was originally published at CBS 5, but is no longer available.
Month: July 2005
Man Extorts Women
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPER — July 20 — Patrick Gilin was so popular that he persuaded more than 70 women he met through dating services to send him money "well into the six figures," authorities said. Giblin, a 41-year-old Atlantic City gambler, was charged with 21 counts of extortion and wire fraud. Giblin met the women by registering with telephone and online dating services, such as Quest Personals, Lavalife, Intimate Connections and Private Lines. He would get to know the women through telephone conversations, then tell them he planned to move or travel to their area and needed help with moving expenses.
Mark Brooks: Such offenses are extremely rare, but significant. It’s best to communicate via an online dating site for a while to warm up, then date a few times. I’m a big fan of the initial ‘coffee date.’ Don’t give out your work or home address until you are very comfortable with someone. Let common sense prevail. I think background checks are a good thing for the industry, but they’re not 100% foolproof.
Internet Dating Goes Mobile
The full article was originally published at CBS5, but is no longer available.
Social Networking Attracts Interest
THE DEAL — Jul 19 — News Corp.'s $580 million acquisition of Intermix Media Inc. and MySpace.com yesterday could spark some renewed interest in this once-hot Internet sector. "Media companies tend to keep a close eye on what the others are doing. With a purchase like this, you can't help but believe that other media companies will be looking closer at other social networking sites," said Brad Bowers of BlackInc Ventures LLC. The acquisition will boost the valuation of other social networking companies. August Capital partner David Hornik, an investor in Tickle, argued the increased ability of online companies to monetize their viewership could lead to more consolidation. Last year, Barry Diller's IAC agreed to pay an undisclosed amount for ZeroDegrees Inc.
Mark Brooks: How long did it take Yahoo and Amazon and Match to become profitable? The leading social networking sites will make money aplenty. Users will demand value added premium services in time, and be willing to pay for the conveniences. Huge viral traffic volumes are keeping the major players afloat with healthy advertising fees right now.
A Truth Monitor for Online Dating
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION — July 20 — Truedater.com, serves as a self-styled truth squad. Truedater.com was started by Mark Geller, a single tech worker in California's Silicon Valley who kept hearing horror stories about people posting 15-year-old photos and magically shedding 50 pounds in their Internet dating profiles. Surprisingly, about half the reviews are positive.
Mark Brooks: I wonder how much traction Truedater can get without a direct partnership with the major online dating companies? How will they make money?
Userplane Enhances Mooble and Click2Asia
BUSINESS WIRE –July 20 — Userplane, the leading provider of live community software, today announced its deployment of Userplane Webmessenger and Webchat on Click2Asia and Mooble.
Mark Brooks: Mike Jones is super easy to work with and his applications are A1. Well done Mike.
Defensive Dating
ABC NEWS — July 14 — Technology is here to help you distinguish potential soulmates from future cellmates. Nearly one out of every two unmarried people have tried Internet dating in recent years, turning it into a $1 billion business. True.com performs criminal background checks and warns that "married people will be prosecuted." eLove.com, requires new members undergo face-to-face screenings at which officials verify pictures. Cheaters are more than welcome at AshleyMadison.com. MyPrivateLine.com provides an untraceable, toll-free phone number that you can set up in minutes for 15 cents a minute. Engage.com is carving out a role for friends and family.
The full article was originally published at ABC News, but is no longer available.
Mark Brooks: True's 'married people will be prosecuted' insignia is brilliant. I wonder how many Marrieds the background checks catch?
Launch of New Dating Website for Overweight People
PR WEB –July 15 — Everyone has a right to love and be loved regardless of age, size, color or creed. Sadly many people do not achieve this. Amongst these are large people who, perhaps through various experiences in their lives have been bullied, teased, humiliated and discriminated against have lost their self confidence and have low self esteem and are embarrassed or even scared to go out into the social world to meet people. Enter Truly Plumptious.
Mark Brooks: BBPeoplemeet.com, BBWfinder.com, BBWpersonalsplus.com, are the top sites in the big and beautiul online personals niche. It's a significant niche, and destined to continue growing…until we find that magic diet pill.
LinkedIn Debuts New B2B Networking Service
MEDIA POST — Jul 19 — LinkedIn.com (2.4 million users) will release a third Web-based premium service today: a directory system for groups and organizations such as companies, conferences, and alumni associations. The new service allows groups to set up directories which LinkedIn members can join. Basic LinkedIn Groups functions are available for free, but for a fee, members of the group will have the group’s logo displayed on their profile, linking back to the group’s main page. Additional premium features center around accelerating the approval process for adding group members. The company hopes to be profitable by the first quarter of 2006. FULL ARTICLE @ MEDIA POST
Mark Brooks: Linkedin rocks! Reid Hoffman
Hooking up Korean-Style Requires Help
HONOLULU ADVERTISER — July 18 — The best matchmakers are those who know the who’s who in society. They even refer to prospective singles as their ‘listings.’ The meeting place usually is a famous five-star hotel or a cafe that’s easy to find and convenient. The matchmaker will introduce the two, make some small talk, then leave. A variation occurs when introductions are made by a friend or co-worker, in an informal way. This comes with less protocol. FULL ARTICLE @ HONOLULU ADVERTISER
Mark Brooks: Old ways meet new…parents often list their sons and daughters profiles on their behalf on Shaadi.com.