MiniDates Agrees with the Experts – You Can’t Judge Chemistry or Compatibility Online

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We all know that you can’t judge chemistry online, yet so many dating sites try to sell us the same style of service, which is basically like a search engine for profiles, and where no one ever meets.

Recent studies show that regular online dating sites are deficient at determining if there will be chemistry between matched couples. A more effective way of meeting would be through a local, casual setting, which is exactly what MiniDates creates just for you.

For more information and details about the studies conducted on online dating’s efficacy, check out the full article on The Wall Street Journal.

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First Date Rules for Guys

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First dates can be scary, so try to go prepared with these 10 first date rules for guys from CNN Living. Some of the tips we thought were helpful were 1) Take Charge, 2) Smile, 3) Act Confident, and 4) Ask Questions. Read the full list on CNN Living.

Let us know what rules you live by when dating on Facebook and Twitter @MiniDates.

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Slideshow: MiniDates Presented at Agile 2012

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On August 16, 2012, Beverly May presented the agile and lean startup lessons she learned when creating and launching MiniDates at Agile 2012 in Texas. Watch the full presentation now on SlideShare!

Beverly May at Agile 2012

Event Details: This session provided an overview and lessons learned from senior UX, product, and software development consultants’ experiences in switching from consulting to actually conceiving, designing, developing and ultimately launching a complex consumer application called MiniDates.com. It turns out that our extensive industry experience and past successes couldn’t have prepared us for all that we encountered and learned when trying to develop and launch our own consumer startup. During the presentation, Beverly shared what we learned for future teams to benefit!

Oxford Technology Ventures, LLC is a boutique user experience and product strategy consulting firm in New York whose members are seasoned veterans in UX, Internet, and software development. Our clients range from large Fortune 100′s to small startups, and we’ve worked on and helped successfully launch or overhaul hundreds of products and services over the years. Like many in the consulting/ agency/ services business, we were feeling “startup envy” and wanted to develop and launch our own service. MiniDates.com was initially conceived as a showcase company case study in superior UX, cutting edge mobile tech, and Lean and Agile development processes where we wouldn’t be constrained by our clients’ preferences, implementation methods, and product direction revisions.

We embarked on developing MiniDates.com in January 2011 after several months of conceiving the product, and ultimately launched it in beta 14 months later- when we had originally thought it would take us only 3-4 months to MVP! This session describes the process we went through – what we tried that worked and didn’t, what we should have done that we didn’t, and what we encountered that we couldn’t have foreseen- in the belief that we can help other UX and product-focused startups and Agile teams be more effective practitioners

Check Out The Launched MiniDates App Here: www.minidates.com

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6 Mobile and Online Dating Profile Red Flags

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Marie Claire posted an excellent list of red flags, or things not to post on your online dating profile. These include the following.

1. Appearing sex-crazed.

2. Cliché statements.

3. Claims of being young at heart.

4. Non-solo photos.

5. Airing your dirty laundry.

6. Your own red flag checklist.

Check out the explanations for each red flag on Marie Claire.

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The Rules of Modern Chivalry

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Many of us would like to believe that chivalry is not dead, but just not as over the top as it used to be. Modern women are more independent, but we do still like our dates to make a few chivalrous gestures. Check out this list from AskMen of the do’s and don’ts of modern chivalry.

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Do’s and Don’ts of Blind Messages on MiniDates

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MiniDates allows you to blind text or blind email your date after one person accepts. This is an exciting opportunity to talk to your date before meeting. Here are a few tips to ensure your blind messages lead to an enjoyable in-person meeting.

Do text before a first date. Blind messaging your date before the first meeting will make your date more comfortable with meeting you. 34% of those surveyed agreed that they’d feel more comfortable on a first date if they had exchanged messages beforehand. Just make sure to keep pre-date communication light and fun.

Do respond ASAP. Waiting too long to respond will cause your date to thing you are not interested in your upcoming date. If you don’t have time to reply, try to at least send out a quick note like “Sorry, stuck in mtg.”

Don’t guess at the message meaning. Wait till your date to discuss something that may not make sense or anything that needs more explanation.

Don’t over-abbreviate. Keep messages brief, but stick to terms and symbols most people know.

Don’t be a tease. Be honest about your feelings and don’t lead your date on before the first meeting.

Don’t be rude. Obvious, but thought we should mention this just in case.

This post was adapted from this article from about.com.

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NYC’s Most Affordable Date Spots

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NYC 10 Best has a list of the most affordable (under $50) date spots in NYC. These are some great places to go after the first date that will impress for less. Read the list on NYC 10 Best’s website.

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Samsung Large-Format Smartphones Now Supported

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MiniDates has been optimized to work on all large-format smartphones including Samsung Galaxy SI, SII and SIII. Check out MiniDates on your large-format screen now!

Remember, MiniDates is also compatible with most Android devices, iOS devices and PC/Mac (on Chrome or Firefox browsers).

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5 Dating Rules to Live By

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The first few months of dating can be really exciting, but it’s important to make sure you don’t scare your guy/gal off. The best way to keep it casual, but interesting is to follow these 5 rules.

1. Don’t act like a needy person.

2. Don’t be negative.

3. Always remember you’re not trying to find out if your date accepts you, you’re trying to find out if you accept your date.

4. Remember that most guys like to peruse.

5. Have fun and be playful.

Source: Marie Claire

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Best Places in NYC for Autumn and Winter Dates

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Refinery 29 recently compiled a delicious list of romantic date spots in NYC for first dates and later dates as well. The restaurants in this list are cozy second date locations, while the bars and lounges listed are excellent first date venues. Check out the full list now!

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Fun NYC Activities for Singles and Couples—Oct 2012

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Columbus Day Weekend Pubcrawl NYC

When: Oct. 6 at 3PM

Where: Traffic Bar and Restaurant, 986 Second Ave, NYC

 

The Affordable Art Fair

When: Oct 4-7, 6-9PM

Where: The Tunnel, 269 Eleventh Ave, (between 27th and 28th Sts), New York

 

Columbus Day Parade

When: October 8 11:30AM to 3PM

Where: Fifth Ave. at 44th Street to 72nd St.

 

Kidney Walk Hosted by Nick Cannon

When: October 14 9:30AM to 12:30PM

Where: Pier 16-South Street Seaport

Description: Take a lifesaving step for the National Kidney Foundation’s 11th Annual New York City Kidney Walk. The 5K Kidney Walk, to be held at South Street Seaport, will help raise awareness and funds to support the fight against kidney disease. Onsite registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the Walk starts at 10:30 a.m. Host of the 2012 Kidney Walk is Nick Cannon, award-winning actor, comedian and host of the top rated “America’s Got Talent.”

 

NYC Food Film Festival

When: Oct. 18 to 21

Where: Various Locations

Description: Food-obsessed cinephiles can eat and drink what they see on the big screen during this innovative film festival: Each viewing party matches a collection of cuisine-related documentaries, shorts and features with top-notch tastings seen in the screenings.

 

Official Haunted Mansion

When: Oct. 27 at 9PM

Where: 222 W. 44th St.

Description: For one night only, Bowlmor Times Square will transform itself into two mammoth floors of decadent debauchery at its finest delivered with loads of class and in the spirit of Halloween, a ton of trash.

 

Village Halloween Parade

When: Oct 31, 6:30-8:30PM

Where: Sixth Ave between Canal and Spring Sts.

 

Fall Foliage Tours

When: Oct. through early Nov.

 

Luxury Chocolate Tour

When: Oct-Dec. on Thur-Sun

Description: Spend over two hours exploring chocolate shops in midtown on the Luxury Chocolate Tour, while learning about the process of making high-end chocolates and enjoying delicious samples at each shop.

 

Free/Cheap NYC Walking Tours

When: Year round

Description: These free walking tours of New York City explore a variety of New York City neighborhoods and attractions. Walking tours are one of my favorite ways to learn more about New York City and are great for first-time visitors and New Yorkers who want to better understand their hometown.

 

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