Posts from — October 2009

Looking for your perfect match isn’t easy. There are so many single people out there, dating sites are full of partial profiles and mystery pictures and a lot of people are not even sure what exactly are they looking for.

Love seekers, there may be good news for you. Dating sites can now help you find your perfect match based on DNA. Studies have revealed that chemistry, in particular body odor, plays a big part when it comes to attraction. However, you can’t really identify these traits when searching for partners online.

The online dating sites that use DNA technology are based on the theory that people are attracted to partners who have different immune systems than their own. That’s why the sites limit their DNA analysis to the genes of the immune system to make its matches.

ScientificMatch claims that finding a partner with a different immune system will lead to a more satisfying sex life, less cheating, a higher rate of fertility and a higher rate of orgasms for women.

All that may be true and interesting, but ScientificMatch admits that physical chemistry alone is not enough to guarantee a successful relationship, or even attraction. That’s why the site also has the regular features such as profiles and pictures, just to be on the safe side.

For those concerned with privacy, the site promises that nobody ever knows your name and your customer number at the same time. The computer which generates the matches is the only thing that ever links the two together. Also, the DNA sample is destroyed after it has been analyzed.

The price for this innovative service isn’t small: you have to pay $2,000 in order to get a DNA collecting kit and a list of possible matches. Well, there’s no price for true love, is it? It still remains to be seen, though, if DNA sampling is the best way to find a match.

Back in the 90s there was really only one way to build a site for free – that was Geocities. This service, hosted by Yahoo, once boasted millions of users. New hosting technologies and cheap hosting prices have caused Geocities’ popularity to decline over the years.

A few days ago, after 15 years of offering people the ability to set up their own website, Geocities has closed down for good. Yahoo acquired Geocities for 3.57 billion U.S. dollars in 1999 , though the site had been operating since 1994. Yahoo said sites would no longer be accessible from 26th October. However, some pages will still be accessible via the  Internet Archive project.

Many technology sites covered the closure of Geocities. Some, like the comics site XKCD, have made different tributes, in honor of the old web service.

Geocities was a good idea at the beginning of the days of the internet, but nowadays, building a website or blog is cheap and easy for anyone to do, without the need for web programming skills. Even more sophisticated websites for e-commerce and business applications for sales and customer management are available at reasonable prices for small business owners.

A new phishing scam targets the customers of many hosting services. Under the pretext of a system maintenance, the emails are linked to phishing pages which try to collect login information. The emails tell the user, that due to maintenance activities, all FTP data must be updated. Those who take the bait are led to a website formatted to look like a page from cPanel, the widely used website administration program.

The attack is apparently meant to harvest FTP logins for webmasters. Once the logins have been collected, the accounts are then accessed and the sites used to host phishing pages targeting users of online banking sites and other financial services.

Over 90 popular shared Web hosting services have been abused through these automatically generated emails. The message is identical in all of them, but the named company differs.

If you are a webmaster and have received one of these emails, please be sure to contact your hosting provider to reset your passwords immediately. Never give your password or login to a page you don’t recognize. Also, this might be a good time to change passwords and choose some strong ones. Here is a good password generator that will ensure your password is strong.

First dates can be really unnerving. You are not only meeting a new person, but you probably want to make a great impression. Nowadays, a lot of first dates happen after an online chat in a dating site, so you DO have some information and impressions regarding the person that you are meeting. Still, online photos in a dating site aren’t enough, and making the first date a good one, is rather important.

Here are few tips for first dates – some are for men, some for women and some are for both.Remember: take it easy and have fun. After all, it’s just a date.

First Date Tips

1. Be confident (but not overly so):  Women tend to enjoy confidence in a man, while there are many men who won’t like a coy woman. So, be a part of planning the date – decide together where to go and what to do, and don’t be afraid to voice your opinion.
2. Keep it simple: You’ll be nervous enough without making a big show. Choose a familiar venue, or do something that’s easy and enjoyable.
3. Don’t go to the movies: The dark scenery of a movie theater can be very romantic, but it’s not an ideal setting for a first date, in which you want to talk and get to know each other. Movies are good for later dates.
4. Easy on the perfume: Girls and boys – don’t overdo the Eau de Cologne! You don’t want your date to faint, right?
5. Brush your teeth: Go for a mouthwash, too. Better safe than sorry!
6. Don’t give them the 3rd degree: Keep the conversation light and amusing! Avoid talking or asking about old boyfriends, girlfriends or any other Exes. This is a first date, not a criminal investigation.
7. Go for comfortable clothing: We are not suggesting that you wear dirty jeans and a torn t-shirt, but you should wear comfortable clothes. First dates are tense enough, you don’t need the extra pressure of a tight dress or too-new shoes.
8. Guys, pick up the tab; Girls, insist on going dutch: Someone will come out victorious at the end, but that’s the way it should be. Guys should suggest or insist on paying, girls should at least make a courteous move towards your purse.
9. Listen, don’t just talk: Yes, that goes for the both of you!
10. Turn your mobile phone off: Taking calls from your friends or reading texts is very rude and shows lack of interest. Only keep your phone switched on if you’re expecting a VERY important call.

Dating can be very exciting. It’s an opportunity to meet new and interesting people, and sometimes we can really hit it off. Online dating in particular, opens the door on many new acquaintances. Now, we are all for meeting new people, of course! Dating is fun and can help you find your partner for life. Still, there are a few things a woman should notice and beware off when dating new people – especially on blind dates and dates that originated from dating sites.

Remember – in many cases, you are meeting complete strangers. Though most of them are probably good men, you should always be careful and even a bit suspicious – until you get to know him better.

Dating Safety Tips for Women

1. Meet in public places: Set your first date (and even the second and third) in public places – a restaurant, a coffee shop or a bar. Don’t go to his house or invite him to yours, even if he sounds absolutely amazing.
2. Be stingy with personal information: Don’t give him the entire details of your life immediately. You might want to disappear after a date or two, and your home phone number and full name provide easy ways to track you. Settle for giving him your cell number and don’t give your home address until you get to know him better.
3. Stay away from the married: We are not telling you this to be pious. A person who lies and cheats his wife, is almost always bound to be untrustworthy in other matters.
4. Avoid the pictureless: Some people are shy, which is perfectly OK, but still – a person on a dating site that won’t post or send his picture should arouse suspicions. He might not be who he claims to be.
5. Choose a reputable dating service: There are many dating sites out there. Try and stay in the mainstream, and go for well known dating sites. The questionable men are more likely to lurk in small, lesser-known sites. Some of the good online dating sites are chemistry.com, match.com and lavalife.com.
6. Take it slowly: Don’t rush into anything. You might think you know the man because the online chat has been exhilarating, but remember to use common sense when you decide to connect in person.
7. Trust your instincts: This is probably the best advice we can give you regarding safety in dating – trust your gut. You intuition is your best guide. If it doesn’t feel right, if he acts weird or if you find out that he lied to you – break it off.

Embarking upon a new job search is simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking.  Most often, you can’t predict how long the job search will last, how many positions will meet your requirements or whether you may have to modify your expectations to increase the likelihood that you’ll find a job.  You may not even be able to predict which search methods will be the most fruitful, and therefore, it’s important to explore all of your options in the hope of landing a position.  Whether you’re eager to begin or looking for ways to expand and refresh your options, here are 10 ways to jump start your job search.  We hope that they’ll be successful in helping you find something soon!

1. Use job search engines.  As the most expansive way to search for a job, job search engines offer endless possibilities for nearly every profession.  Job seekers can find job search engines that are tailored to their specific needs, such as those for executives or those looking for part-time positions.
2. Networking.  One of the most successful ways to find a job is to spread the word that you’re looking for one.  Take time (and, if necessary, invest money) in meeting with people who can hook you up with places to apply, or contacts who can offer you applications.  Buying your friend a cup of coffee when you’re unemployed may seem like a frivolous expense, but if he later remembers that you’re looking for a job, it was well worth the $5.
3. Check local newspapers.  In many ways the internet has thwarted the prevalence of print advertisements, but when it comes to job ads, there are always some to be found in the local newspaper.
4. Hire a headhunter.  If you have a respectable resume looking for an ‘in’ in a specific profession, hiring a headhunter may be a great way to get your resume noticed.
5. Check with the employment office at your university.  These days, more and more universities are offering job search services to alumni, even if they didn’t recently graduate.  Likewise, don’t be hesitant to make a donation to your alma mater as an added incentive for the career placement office to help advance your job search.
6. Approach the company (or companies) that you’re interested in working for.  If you are in a specialized field, have expertise in a certain area or are simply intrigued by a certain company, don’t be afraid to contact their HR department (or the CEO) and inquire about openings.  Being bold, when done properly, can actually make a fantastic first impression.
7. Contact your local employment office.  While many unemployed individuals find it difficult to contact a government unemployment office, thousands of others are able to find placement through these agencies.  Don’t be shy- there’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
8. Consider freelancing.  Can’t find a job in your field?  Why not consider providing your services to several clients, instead of to a single company?  Not only can freelancing provide a higher hourly rate than most full-time positions, it can also lead to additional career opportunities and networking prospects.
9. Volunteer.  While you’re waiting for the right job to come along, why not volunteer in a place that interests you.  Choose one that’s relevant to your career, so that you can spruce up your resume, gain new skills and meet people who may be able to lead you in the direction of a job opening.
10. Work for a temp agency. While you’re waiting for a full-time gig, why not temp in a position in your field?  Oftentimes, companies appreciate their temp’s work and may remember them when an opening becomes available.  And, if not, at least you’ll have money in your bank account while you’re pursuing a more stable position.

A lot of us work long hours, work from home or just have very little time for leisurely activities. As time passes, seems like it gets harder and harder to meet new people and go on dates. That’s why dating sites have become so popular – they allow you to meet new people in abundance, and take the first steps without ever leaving the house.

Still, there are other cool places to meet new people, and if you want to try diversifying your acquaintances, here is a list of places to meet new and interesting people.

7 Places and Ways to Meet New People

1. Museums: Not only geeks and art freaks hang out in museums. A lot of people enjoy spending their spare time admiring fine arts. Many museums have special events and members only events – try and join those and meet many new people.
2. Sporting Events: If you have a favorite football, basketball or baseball team – try to attend games when you can. You can meet other fans and other interesting people who love sports.
3. Book Clubs: Check this out at your local library or online groups. Reading books and discussing them is a great way to meet new people with common interests.
4. Volunteer: Help the elderly, volunteer at animal shelters, give free lessons to people who can’t afford it and so on. Volunteering will help you meet many new, wonderful people, who contribute their time and resources to the community.
5. Adopt a Dog: Walking with your dog daily guarantees you’ll meet many new people – some of them animal owners or just animal lovers in general. Dogs are a great subject for first conversations.
6. Take a Course: Learn a new craft, a new language, take computer lessons or photography courses. These are sure-fire ways to meet new and active people with many common interests.
7. Organized Tours: Traveling in a group is great fun, and a wonderful opportunity to meet new people. There are actually many tours that are organized especially for singles – try and join one of those.