Website idea - feedback please

edited June 2007 in Chit chat
At work Im doing a web project that during my research has taken me to sites like myspace and dating sites.

Yesterday I stubled across a website called adultfriendfinder(its one of the few times I love my job), the aim of the site is to find casual sex partners. Its great to use but the sting is to actually contact anyone you have to take out a paid membership.

This got me to thinking, forget making it commercially viable for a sec, but what about a site that let you upload your profile for free, on the profile you can put external contact details without charge, and in fact the only reason to put a register button would be so people could update their profiles. I know myspace allows this sort of functionality but anything smutty is banned. Im taking about a pure free to use dating/casual sex contact site.

As for the coats of running the site I do have one or two ideas that would keep the site free and not require any sort of membership fees. (PPV theatres etc...)

So putting your maorals on the back burner, what do people think?

If it is a good idea, do you have to register free so you can update your profile, or just a service where you can upload your profile (no regisrtation, but a big warning saying you are responcible for anything uploaded etc...)
Post edited by Toxitalk on

Comments

  • edited June 2007
    I say go for it. I know a few of my single friends would use it as they've admitted to looking at the others you mention but are put off by the cost.
  • edited June 2007
    there are plenty of free ones out there. usually shite, you get a better woman to man ratio on paying sites.

    www.alt.com is free to join, and message other members. you pay for extra massages per-day, full view of other profiles etc. (it's not work safe)
  • edited June 2007
    you pay for extra massages per-day

    Freudian slip? :lol:
  • edited June 2007
    If you do something like that, have a way of verifying it's a real person.

    A lot of the profiles on adultfriendfinder are fakes, and the person at the other end redirects you to a website that you're required to enter a credit card in "for age verification purposes"

    How do I know that? Let's just say I have some desperate (and apparently very stupid) friends ;)

    Andrew
  • edited June 2007
    If you do something like that, have a way of verifying it's a real person.

    A lot of the profiles on adultfriendfinder are fakes, and the person at the other end redirects you to a website that you're required to enter a credit card in "for age verification purposes"

    How do I know that? Let's just say I have some desperate (and apparently very stupid) friends ;)

    Andrew

    Ahhh, yes ... I'm logged in under one of my desperate friend's accounts ... hmmm ... here's an old profile:

    "Andrew "Rolling Randy Andy" Rollings."

    Enjoys: Long walks on the beach with my fave someone.
    Fave person: My special issue, one of a kind Sinclair Spectrum.
    Ambitions: Taking care of my special someone, write another computer games related book, farther walks further down the beach.

    The rest of the profile is pretty boring ... something to do with gag-balls and leather.
  • edited June 2007
    Skarpo wrote: »
    The rest of the profile is pretty boring ... something to do with gag-balls and leather.

    That's not me... mine says latex...

    wait? what?

    Andrew
  • edited June 2007
    If you do something like that, have a way of verifying it's a real person.

    A lot of the profiles on adultfriendfinder are fakes, and the person at the other end redirects you to a website that you're required to enter a credit card in "for age verification purposes"

    How do I know that? Let's just say I have some desperate (and apparently very stupid) friends ;)

    Andrew

    I can see that, but i'm not sure how you prove someone? Im trying to keep away from the whole credit card thing, as that the thing I hate when Im looking for things in general (It took me some thought to convince myself to go down that route with even ebay).

    Perhaps keep contact details down to either phone number or email (put a warning about mobile numbers and sex services?)?

    Escorts will use this type of service I know, but maybe encourage everyone to be upfront, or even 'enhanced' listings for anyone offering a service rather then up for a free bit of fun. I am also concerned that I don't get comeback. I myself don't have a problem if someone wants to tom themselves, but I want a away to make sure I don't get it in the neck.

    I don't know, any other ideas?
  • RNDRND
    edited June 2007
    That's not me... mine says latex...

    wait? what?

    Andrew

    Dont you mean LaTeX :razz:


    Toxitalk: are you talking about for this site or a site in general?
    Facebook @nick.swarfega Twitter: @sw4rfega
  • edited June 2007
    RND wrote: »
    Dont you mean LaTeX :razz:


    Toxitalk: are you talking about for this site or a site in general?

    Im talking about my 'find a girl tonight' site.
  • edited June 2007
    Toxitalk wrote: »
    At work Im doing a web project that during my research has taken me to sites like myspace and dating sites.

    Yesterday I stubled across a website called adultfriendfinder(its one of the few times I love my job), the aim of the site is to find casual sex partners. Its great to use but the sting is to actually contact anyone you have to take out a paid membership.

    This got me to thinking, forget making it commercially viable for a sec, but what about a site that let you upload your profile for free, on the profile you can put external contact details without charge, and in fact the only reason to put a register button would be so people could update their profiles. I know myspace allows this sort of functionality but anything smutty is banned. Im taking about a pure free to use dating/casual sex contact site.

    As for the coats of running the site I do have one or two ideas that would keep the site free and not require any sort of membership fees. (PPV theatres etc...)

    So putting your maorals on the back burner, what do people think?

    If it is a good idea, do you have to register free so you can update your profile, or just a service where you can upload your profile (no regisrtation, but a big warning saying you are responcible for anything uploaded etc...)

    there is OK cupid but it's not so sex oriented (many people just go for the quiz)
  • RNDRND
    edited June 2007
    sometimes i could do with one :o
    Facebook @nick.swarfega Twitter: @sw4rfega
  • edited June 2007
    Your seriously suggesting people can register and leave contact details (such as phone numbers)

    I have a few ex's I could register as, and leave their mobile numbers.
    My test signature
  • edited June 2007
    fogartylee wrote: »
    Your seriously suggesting people can register and leave contact details (such as phone numbers)

    I have a few ex's I could register as, and leave their mobile numbers.

    Why not? You cant stop someone leaving false details whatever system you use. But what you can do is have a big sticker that says, if they upload somelses details without permission please expect a knock from the cop shop.

    I think these sites suck, as said before, I can accross the idea while i was researching something for work, and without fail you have to register once (for free) to view things then if you actually want to contact someone you then have to pay. To confirm this I have looked now at literally dozens of these sites, and in each case its never really free.

    That's why I was thinking this is actually a good idea for a site. A free site where you can contact people without the site getting in the way. As its free, I want to really use as little database space and bandwidth as possible so it doesnt cost me. Then to support any costs offer in addition to the free dating, access to pay per view theare (you get a cut from anyone using this) and one or two 'phone chat line' offer the same.
  • edited June 2007
    Putting a big sticker on the site isn't really going to put off some malicious people. And whether you like it or not, as webmaster YOU are responsible for the content.

    Imagine a single mother sitting at home at night getting loads of phone calls asking for sex because an ex boyfriend thought it was funny? Even worse if he puts her address in....

    I would suggest that all profiles have to be approved before they go live, and any changes have to be approved too. Remove phone numbers and addresses but allow email addresses.

    As for hosting.... depends who you go to :)
    My test signature
  • edited June 2007
    fogartylee wrote: »
    Putting a big sticker on the site isn't really going to put off some malicious people. And whether you like it or not, as webmaster YOU are responsible for the content.

    Imagine a single mother sitting at home at night getting loads of phone calls asking for sex because an ex boyfriend thought it was funny? Even worse if he puts her address in....

    I would suggest that all profiles have to be approved before they go live, and any changes have to be approved too. Remove phone numbers and addresses but allow email addresses.

    As for hosting.... depends who you go to :)

    I would say email may even be worse (mail harvesting). So let me get this right, If I edit a wikipedia page saying that George bush has sexual feelings for his dead cat, Wikipedia would get sued, not me?

    I think you will find that you are 'in the eyes of the law' are responcible for what you say online, not the service provider.

    I would be interested from hearing from others on the subject though.
  • edited June 2007
    I know from experience that the webmaster is responsible for the content on the site.

    In your example above, if the site is hosted on a US server, you are protected by freedom of speech. Say something like that on a UK hosted site and your in trouble.

    And to be clear, you would rather have strangers ringing asking for sex without your consent, and possibly turning up on your doorstep, than get some spam mail?

    I've got 3 kids that stay with me regularly. Do you think I would want one of them answering the phone, or even worse, opening the front door to some weirdo just because someone thought it was funny to put my details on an internet shag site??
    My test signature
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