As I mentioned last week, eHarmony Blog is dead. And, since it's author has disappeared with no contact information... I can't republish their .html script which automatically requested new matches every 5 minutes.
... but when I use it... I still get more matches. And I hate to see new members go without it.
As I mentioned, this might be a blessing in disguise.
Really, the script was a kludge. It was hard to set up and run. During the relatively frequent periods where the servers get overloaded, it's unable to log you back into the system.
And there are a lot of features on eHarmony that would benefit from automation. Like sending nudges. Or alerting you when someone hasn't advanced communication in a certain amount of time.
So, if the program can be improved... what can I do to help someone do it?
I can provide incentive.
So... here's a contest. Whoever writes the best eHarmony match management software will win a 1 hour personal phone consultation with me. You can do whatever you'd like during that hour. But, I imagine that you'll probably want to spend it with my providing personal help with your profile. Or helping you with another "sticking point".
Here are the rules:
1. Entries must, at minimum, replicate the function of the eHarmony Blog script. (Basically, requesting new matches every ten minutes).
2. You must make your entry publicly accessible, and you must license the program under a Creative Commons attribution non-commercial license. Basically, the program will remain your intellectual property. You will be able to upgrade it, and charge money for upgraded versions. Other people may make modifications (as long as they credit you), but can't charge money for the "improvements" without your permission. But the version that you submit must remain freely available to all.
3. Entries may not carry any viruses or spyware. Links to any programs which contain these will result in removal of your link, and disqualification of any entry.
4. You must make your entry available for download, and provide a link to it. (You can do so by leaving a comment.)
5. Entries must be submitted before 7/1/07. I may decide to extend this deadline, if programmers are saying that they need more time.
6. Winner is decided by me, on whatever arbitrary criteria I set.
Good luck! I hope to see some interesting innovation...
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Hello Scott: OK I hereby license the script as CC by-nc. I'm aghast that something that took me two minutes to write could be useful to so many people. (Hmm, what if I wrote eH greasemonkey scripts -- wouldn't that be grand?)
I cannot say why I tore down the site, except that it had to do with why my friends and I started eHB. Unless and until we recast our personal reasons for having it, I regret to say that someone else has to cover the eH beat. (By the way, I think last week's lawsuit has a big chance of winning. Have you read the Unruh Civil Rights Act? What do you guys think?)
Sayonara, auf Wiedersehen. αντίο! γεια σου!
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