DatingBuzz website review

DatingBuzz has been around since 1997 as its previous incarnation Matchmaker (www.matchmaker.co.za NOT matchmaker.com). Not to be confused with the international Matchmaker.com website which is owned by Lycos, the DatingBuzz brand was launched in 2002. The main website is www.datingbuzz.com but a brilliant marketing strategy has allowed DatingBuzz to rebrand its website and create partnership opportunities major media companies in South Africa like Sunday Times, Mail & Guardian and 5FM. So anyone registering with these and over 70 other websites is pooled into one big database therefore giving everyone a lot more choice. At last count they had over 130,000 registered users. The website rated 70% in the Webagility analysis performed in July 2004.

Before you even register with the website you can browse the Gallery with all the pictures of newly registered members or members that have updated their pictures in their profiles. A cheat that I use to get more “hits” on my profile is to change my primary photo to get into the Gallery. I also do this on Sundays so I can get into the Gallery on Mondays and therefore get maximum exposure. You can also access the full profile of anyone from the Gallery but full access to photos is limited to registered members. As with most online dating websites registration is FREE.

Registration is a two step process with a confirmation sent to your email with an activation code. Once you’ve confirmed your registration from the email you must complete your profile. Once the initial registration with activation is complete DatingBuzz sends you a very nice introductory email which explains the basic next steps with useful tips on how to get the most out the website. The “About Me” and “My Ideal Match” sections are both compulsory. These are the most important items used in the matchmaking technology. The colours used (red) allows for quick navigation to answer the most important questions. You are allowed to upload a maximum of five photos that must be less then 600KB which is allows you to post really high quality photos.

Before you start searching for that ideal match, the front page shows you very useful information to help keep track of your progress and popularity. This can be a bit of a vanity trip but don’t get stuck on it. You get “quick stats” on number of “favourites”, “fans” and the amount of messages “sent” and “received” through the website. You also get a popup banner when you have a new message waiting for you; and when you click on it you’re taken directly to this message. Additional stats in the amount of times your profile was viewed is also presented on the front page once you’ve logged in.

Now that you’re ready to search you can find people by the following criteria:

  • name: If you know the name of the user you can search directly for them
  • favourites: You can search the list of your favourite profiles
  • fans: You can search the list of fans (people who added you to their favourites list)
  • matches: Using the matchmaking technology you can find matches based on your criteria
  • search: Search the database based on any criteria you specify
  • keyword: Using a specific keyword e.g. “Mariah Carey” you can find people who like her music
  • gallery: Browse through the new photos of profiles in the database
  • popular profiles: Based on amount of people who added these profiles to their favourites list today’s birthdays:
  • new profiles: A list of the latest profiles, mostly with no photos approved yet
  • recently modified profiles
  • currently logged in members

Overall DatingBuzz creates a superior experience to those who want to get the most out of online dating. The subscriptions range from R79.95 for one month to R479.95 for 12 months (works out to R40 per month). There is a variety of payment options credit card, electronic funds transfer (via Internet banking), EasyPay, direct deposit and Cheque or Postal Order. An added bonus is a great Affiliate program which pays a 10% commission on subscribers referred to DatingBuzz. Once you’ve experienced how easy it is to use this system to meet great people you can make a few bucks from referring your friends.

The lessons I learned from Forrest Gump

Today I watched Forrest Gump again and what a great movie it is. I was so emotional as I could connect with Forrest on so many levels. Growing up I always felt like to the underdog and I persevered like Forrest to achieve some success in my life. Now for the lessons:

  1. Honesty is the best policy – throughout the movie Forrest is always honest and even though people do take advantage of his honesty it builds his integrity as a person.
  2. Follow your heart – Forrest never gives up on his dreams and when he starts some new project he sees it through to the end.
  3. Help other people – while in Vietnam Forrest saves many of his fellow soldiers in a selfless act that wins in the Congregational Medal of Honour.
  4. Love unconditionally – Forrest loved his mother and Jenny unconditionally. He wins the love of Jenny in the end but he always gave more then he received.

I’m keen to hear what you liked about this great movie which won Tom Hanks his 2nd Best Actor Oscar.

Why Men Love Bitches by Sherry Argov

Why men love bitches by Sherry ArgovFrom Doormat to Dreamgirl-A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship

Contending that some women are “too nice,” comedian and radio show host Sherry Argov has written Why Men Love Bitches: From Doormat to Dreamgirl-A Woman’s Guide to Holding Her Own in a Relationship. “I’m not recommending that a woman have an abrasive disposition,” Argov writes, “The woman I’m describing is kind yet strong. She doesn’t give up her life, and she won’t chase a man.” Her sassy book is filled with scenarios and advice aimed at making women subtly stronger and self-empowered. Argov’s principles, which range from the far fetched to the downright absurd, include “If you give him a feeling of power, he’ll want to protect you and he’ll want to give you the world” and “A little distance combined with the appearance of self-control makes him nervous that he may be losing you.” The book, which has already been featured on The View and The O’Reilly Factor, should make waves with its controversial view of relationships.

About the Author

Sherry Argov is host of her own radio show on KRLA, which airs in more than forty cities in California. Her work has been featured on shows such as The View and The O’Reilly Factor, as well as national publications such as Esquire, Complete Woman, and Woman’s Own. She also writes for two newspapers in the Los Angeles area, where she resides. Do you feel like you are too nice? Sherry Argov’s Why Men Love Bitches delivers a unique perspective as to why men are attracted to a strong woman who stands up for herself. With saucy detail on every page, this no-nonsense guide reveals why a strong woman is much more desirable than a “yes woman” who routinely sacrifices herself. The author provides compelling answers to the tough questions women often ask: -Why are men so romantic in the beginning and why do they change? -Why do men take nice girls for granted? -Why does a man respect a woman when she stands up for herself? Full of much-needed advice, hilarious real-life relationship scenarios, “she says/he thinks” tables, and the author’s unique “Attraction Principles,” Why Men Love Bitches gives you bottom-line answers. It helps you know who you are, stand your ground, and relate to men on a whole new level. Once you’ve discovered the feisty attitude men find so magnetic, you’ll not only increase the romantic chemistry in the relationship-you’ll gain your man’s love and respect with far less effort.

Beautiful Cape Town

I spent the last week in Cape Town and I’m heading back to good ol’ Joburg on Sunday. My good friend Russell allowed me to stay with him in Simon’s Town and what a wonderful experience it has been. Sadly he’s boat is being painted and we won’t have a chance to go sailing or diving. But I have my next trip to the mother city to look forward to in April. I was recently appointed to the board of the ICDL Foundation in South Africa and this guarentees monthly visits to Cape Town. Yipee!!