Angelyn Gan 13:51, 27 Oct 2005 (EST)
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Service providers are businesses that provide subscriptions or metered services to other businesses or individuals. (Wikipedia: Service Provider) Mainstream dating service providers have progressed over the years from physical organisations to non-physical organisations in the online domain. Online dating was spawned through the emergence of the Internet as a popular transactory medium. Online dating service providers allow individuals to browse databases of potential mates and, if two individuals are compatible, facilitate the growth of relationships. Online dating service providers have been described as the "singles bar of the 1990's" and have doubled in size since 1996.
Online dating is done via real time chat, emailing from mobile phones and computers, profiling, Voice over IP applications (VoIPs), sending pictures, sharing files, using webcams, talking over microphones and telephones, using avatars and playing online games. The communication tools the user can access is dependant on the clients’ choice of dating service provider. Every client who subscribes to an online dating service provider must have access to the Internet and be over 18 years old.
Australia, in particular has been actively involved in the online dating industry, with a wide variety of service providers available advertised on various communication media. An example of this is the popular AussieMatchMaker.com.au. The cost of utilising a service such as AussieMatchMaker.com.au varies, and can be paid with credit card, cheque, money order or by telephone.
There are some dating service providers on the Internet that allow users to subscribre free-of-charge. Free subscription allows users to view members’ profiles with information, pictures and videos of themselves, and has become very popular amongst the online dating community.
Online dating services also include matchmaking programs, matching interests and personalities of members as well as including detailed profiles of these members. The leading online dating provider, RSVP has numerous resources that allow the client to post free photos and profiles for the 460,794 members. RSVP also provides interactive searches that allow users to search for certain characteristics of subscribers. This site is easy to use, confidential and secure. RSVP only uses postcodes as the description of location for the clients.
Websites such as Adult Match Maker however, require the user to subscribe before entering the site and gaining access to the database. Non-subscribers are only allowed to browse through a certain amount of profiles. These online dating service providers require their clients to make payments for features such as sending messages, file sharing and buying virtual gifts. The membership fees range from AUD$40 to AUD$80 depending on the reputation, size and membership features of the site.
Online dating service providers also allow users to contact their own social circle and enlarge this circle through meeting friends of their friends. The re-launch of FriendFinder.com in 2003 became the “first online dating destination to combine the reach of a truly global community with the intimacy of a personal social network�? enabling members to browse among members’ social group (PRNewswire, 2003). This fills the void left by conventional dating sites that operate as cold search engines, and helps individuals with shared interests to connect at a faster pace.
The Code of Practice of online dating sites includes the terms and conditions of obtaining the service, security measures for clients and legal issues concerning online material, conduct and service. These regulations legally bind both the client and online dating company. Furthermore, online dating sites are screened to protect the consumer from offensive language and abusive messages.
The benefits to the consumer in comparison to the traditional ways of dating include:
These benefits are the driving force of the online dating industry. The increasing popularity of the online dating industry can be partly attributed to the increasing access and ease of the Internet and the security guarantees as compared with conventional dating.
Online Dating - Internet Chatrooms
Online Dating - Business Models
Online Dating - Emotional Attachment in Online Dating
Online Dating - Imagined Virtual Communities
Cultural Imperialism - The Internet
Youth Culture and New Technologies - Chat Rooms
PRNewswire (2003) FriendFinder.com Unveils the Future of Online Dating Retrieved on 6 October 2005, from http://www.eeproductcenter.com/
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