Anyone can find love...with a good credit rating...

What d' you know ladies and gentlemen?

So for this review of a social media application I chose match.com; an online dating website to help people find true love. Founded in 1993 by Gary Kremen, match.com currently holds its headquarters in Dallas, Texas. With over 20 million users and offices in cities such as Madrid, Tokyo, Paris, London, Stockholm and Munich. In 2004, it set the Guinness World Record for largest online dating website.

How it works

Match.com, like any online dating site, asks visitors to create an account before entering. You are a "______" seeking a "______" aged "___" to "___"...and here is my postal code. From there new members are asked to fill out more questions about themselves.

The site's demographics range from anyone who has had trouble finding someone compatible or for people who may have lifestyles that do not accommodate going out and meeting people.

Once your profile is completed, you are then provided options on how you want to pay for your membership, so that you can "instantly connect" and meet new people.

I had to create my own profile in order to see how involved the process actually is in order to join this social network and in my opinion, I do not see myself paying to meet people anytime soon.

Usability and Utility

This site is pretty straight forward in the sense that it is very easy to access your inbox with emails, view your daily matches and see people who have winked at you. Unfortunately, if you do not pay for this site and just want to meet people, your options are limited. I do not pay for this membership, so although I can view my new matches and navigate around other services with links at the bottom of their website, the main purpose is nullified if you are not willing to pay. Users will have no difficulties navigating around the site to find out about the company, legal policies, as well as information on how to contact staff with questions or concerns.

The misconceived "art" of successful online dating

Don't care what I think? That's okay...you've read this far anyways...

I will be the first to admit I have zero game. This so called "macking" that guys apparently "lay down" on women boggles my mind (Keys to the VIP). However, for those who are not always the most comfortable in crowded clubs, surrounded by beligerent people and having to scream conversations, this site is ideal.

Many people who shun online dating because of a lack of success may have to do with their approach. Although I have never attempted online dating, I have definitely attempted flirting. Some would label me as a flirt...that's fine. Here are some tips that I feel people can use in order to effectively meet new people online.

1. When sending emails, STAND OUT and BE CREATIVE!

• Simply sending an email saying "I think you're cute" or "Your profile caught my eye" is just asking to be sent to the trash can. Stand out and use your intellectual skills to catch your match's attention! They will be willing to read if they see the time and effort put into a message.

2. Not every match has to be your wife/husband.

• When trying this out for the first time, HAVE. SOME. FUN. Whatever happened to just going on casual dates and taking it slow?
• Be patient with the people you end up meeting or matching up with. Not every person is going to be an exact match with you, so do not get discouraged. The more open minded you are, the more doors will open.

3. Perhaps the most important...Do NOT get hung up on email!

The WHOLE purpose of online dating is to get a BRIEF idea of who a person is. Once that is done, GET OFF THE COMPUTER and meet face to face asap. As much as people may click online, there is nothing that compares to a face to face interaction. An obvious statement perhaps, yet I bet there are many missed connections online simply because the initiative was not taken to meet in person. Search. Flirt. Meet.

These are obviously just my opinions on this website. I have no doubt that match.com and other online dating services work for people. I have never paid for an online dating site but am open to it in the future when I am more settled and in the right place to do so.
Is match.com the easiest site to navigate around? No, but it is far from the most complicated.

You can also check out Zack Sandor-Kerr's blog to read his stance on match.com.

The bottom line is that anyone can be successful using this website; it just takes the right amount of time and patience...and a credit card.

Live.It.Up.

"Wikipedia...is the best thing ever..."

Wiki...Wiki...Wiki...What?!?!

Whether it is finding out general information about a particular topic or merely "updating" information on a rival university's mascot, Wikipedia is a source of social media that allows its users to post information on certain subjects without any peer review or verification.

Although it is banned from most post-secondary institutions as a credible source of information, it is a great outlet to help layout a general overview of a given topic.

When did it all start?

Established in 2001, Wikipedia has grown to be the world's 8th most visited website, behind sites such as Facebook, Google and Youtube. Translated into 31 languages, it allows users worldwide to access the site, perform searches and add information to topics they have knowledge on.

When will using Wikipedia benefit you most?

For those people who are new to Wikipedia and just discovering all of the information that has been posted on that website, there are various methods to help make searches and information gathering much easier. It is not so much how to use Wikipedia, but when it will be most effective and beneficial for the reader. What is scary is that there are some who possess the same thought process as Steve Carell when it comes to effective Wikipedia usage.

Allegations discrediting Wikipedia

There have been many issues in the past with the validity of information that has been documented on this site. Time magazine wrote an article about the users of Wikipedia and provide examples of a few stories that have been misinformed and that contain untrue facts. A specific example illustrates a 2007 example when a user posted inaccurate information regarding the death of John F. Kennedy Jr.

Joining "Wiki" nation

To further assist those new to Wikipedia and still wondering how to post information on a particular issue, Wikihow provides step by step instructions on how to properly post a topic or contribute to one that has already been made.

You wanna know what I think?

Whatever your opinion on Wikipedia, there is no doubt that it is still a rapid-growing social media outlet. It does not matter if you want to find out about Scientology, where Jessica Alba was born or how much the Dallas Cowboys stadium costs; there will always be users that are eager to give an opinion, whether credible or not.

I stand by the fact that Wikipedia is a very useful source for information once the user learns how to filter the information presented. Because of the nature of the site, it is clear why many institutions do not accept this as a credible information source. However, when it comes to knowing a little about a lot, there is definitely a reason why Wikipedia is one of the most visited sites on the planet.

In case this page was not enough to entice you to learn how to use Wikipedia, visit Casey Mundy's blog for more tips and strategies!

In addition, click here for a list of various "How To" blogs that have been completed by my hard working classmates.

Live.It.Up.