Richard Speigal

Geek Boy

Richard is the technical brains behind Dating Trail and prefers conversations in binary to real human contact. However he does know some strange things about dating; albeit not from experience (he's asexual like an amoeba) but rather from crunching numbers and peering into databases. He's nerdy but sometimes interesting.

articles archive

Found 18 stories by this writer:

Scientists create "perfect" free dating app, birth rate rises
Scientists have made a major breakthrough in their search to understand the complexity of human relationships. Capitalising on the enormous growth in smartphone usage, boffins have struck on a unique formula to match people using a free dating app...
14th April 2011

Dating tackles the big questions: how about a world with less whites?
If you thought dating was only for the frivolous, think again. US dating site OkCupid has done some research into racial interaction across their user base and the results make interesting (if slightly uncomfortable) reading.
16th March 2011

Microsoft reveals tech patent to match people who share a dirty secret
A patent filed back in 2009 came to light last week and explains a Microsoft plan to match people online using things they'd prefer to keep secret. Is it a licence for weirdos or a chance to set your inner self free?
14th March 2011

Cupid plc's 2010 revenues rise 202%
AIM-listed Scottish dating firm Cupid plc (formerly Easydate) has announced their figures for 2010, showing a 202% increase in total revenues to £25.7m. Pre-tax profits rose from £983,000 in 2009 to £4.16m in 2010.
9th March 2011

The looming hand of government regulation in the UK dating industry
Online dating is now very much a mainstream activity. At the same time it also generates some high profile horror stories and is attracting government attention. We believe this can be easily fixed and generate further growth for the best websites.
2nd March 2011

Skyscanner uncovers another side to in-flight entertainment
According to a survey of 1,000 people by Skyscanner, a whopping 95% of air travellers want to join the mile high club and 45% of us are more likely to flirt in mid-air.
28th February 2011

Why marketing people shouldn't do dating statistics
In the spirit of poking fun at the big boys of dating, we noticed the two market leaders making some pretty huge claims. Geek Boy got out his super laser proton particle accelerating calculus machine (calculator to you) to check the figures.
23rd February 2011

Never mind 'hot or not'... just hope that someone out there calls you a moose
The geeks at OkCupid got bored of gawping at pictures of girls and decided to do some statistical analysis (hey, it's what geeks do). Some of what they found was pretty predictable but they also found attractive women often get way less attention...
3rd February 2011

Valentine singles drop speed dating in favour of partying
Valentine's fortnight has become a huge time for singles looking for some respite from smug couples who've booked every restaurant in town. This year we've seen a 23% drop in scheduled speed dating events in favour of a shift to large format parties.
25th January 2011

How to launch a dating site (and annoy just about everybody)
US dating firm Gotham Dating Partners has created a storm by announcing they are going to start creating dating profiles from public information. We hope they don't bring their ideas to the UK anytime soon.
18th January 2011

Merv eyes dating industry ahead of interest rate decision
Dating Trail gives Mervyn King a hand by delving through the vast archive of event data we've amassed since 2008. Speed dating ticket prices are up (bad news for Merv!) but it's good news for event hosts as confidence returns...
12th January 2011

Want to date a Brad Pitt lookalike? There's an app for that!
Microsoft have registered a patent that could revolutionise the dating world by allowing you to search dating profiles for lookalikes. Forget Brangelina - I'm dusting off my Princess Leia photo right now...
5th January 2011

Easydate name change after Stelios legal threat
AIM-listed dating group Easydate (EZD) is planning to change their name to Cupid Plc following a public spat with Easy Group over use of the easy brand name. Investors relieved.
14th December 2010

DateBuzz adopts a 'nice' approach to online dating (it doesn't extend to competitors)
Since launching a beta version in July US dating start-up DateBuzz has attracted over 50,000 users and claims to be nearing a 50:50 male/female ratio. They also have a harsh take on traditional matching websites. Dating 2.0 or just provocative PR?
10th December 2010

FreeDating 24-7 updated (you get what you pay for)
Free UK online dating website FreeDating24-7 recently announced a major overhaul of their systems. They announced a zippy new design and lots of filtering to keep the scam artists and weirdos out of their member profiles. Here's how they measured up...
8th December 2010

Easydate tipped for further stock market success
Share tips may not seem our natural domain - or yours. But have you ever wondered how you can cash in on all this love? AIM-listed Easydate (EZD) may provide an opportunity.
3rd December 2010

Official: Tilted male heads get more action (so too does female cleavage)
Sam Yagan, CEO of OkCupid has released some insights analysing the behaviour of 3.5m online daters. Forget the girly relationship advice, check out the facts on men who tilt their heads, women who show their boobs and old people being racist.
26th November 2010

Dating Trail gets a facelift and lays the industry bare
Regular fans will have noticed that Dating Trail got a major facelift this week and now makes it easier than ever to find ways to meet new people. Want to know which dating companies REALLY deliver? We've got everything you need to know.
24th November 2010

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Richard Speigal

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