osDate Review

In the world of web server scripting - there are easy scripts to install and setup, and there are not-so-easy scripts to use.  If the script is for a website utility such as form processing or visitor status, the process of installation and management is usually fairly easy.  However scripts that are dedicated to a particular niche within social networking, like dating, are another matter entirely.

Most social networking sites provide the standard fare - a forum, blog, and some form of messaging between members.  What sets the better scripts apart are the extras and unique features that are offered to users.

Unfortunately, even though osDate offers a few aesthetically pleasing templates for your dating networking site, overall the features are standard fare and there is little that is very much exciting with osDate.

osDate Social Networking Script

When I first came across osDate, I thought that there was some potential because it is one of the few truly "open-source" scripts available to run an entire social networking site.  Open source scripts are typically quite "buggy" and full of holes - however, other than a few very minor issues, which do not appear to be the case with osDate.  Administration features are actually better than the features that are offered to the site users.  Additionally, setup is fairly straightforward using the included web-based installation wizard.

Requirements

Most web applications that get installed onto your existing website typically have minimum requirements for your web server and website configuration.  In the case of osDate, the minimum requirements are as follows:

1. PHP 4.3.0 or higher

2. MySQL 4.0 or higher (3.2.3 may be okay)

3. PHP safe mode turned off

4. Access to change folder and file permissions

5. PHP GD or GD2

6. Flash Player 7 or higher

Before choosing to install osDate, it's best to make sure first that your web server supports these minimum requirements. 

Major Features

One of the most important features of any social networking site is that it is aesthetically pleasing to users.  Regardless of which features are offered, users will quickly turn away from a website that is messy and disorganized.

osDate is clearly strong in this category.  The user web page is very well organized and multiple custom templates are available for you to choose whichever look you prefer.  An example of four templates are shown here:

<<insert osDate.gif HERE>>

As the photo shows, the user page is well organized and well structured.  Some of the major features offered are standard social networking fare:

•-          Flash-base image editor

•-          Extended search option for searching member profiles

•-          Advanced installation wizard

•-          SMTP mail is available

•-          Flash Instant Messenger

•-          Private messaging system

•-          FlashChat and phpBB

•-          My Matches search feature

•-          Instant Polls

Some of the best features that I noticed while browsing the software were actually the administrative tools:

The administration section provides site statistics tools and SEO options such as meta tags and URL-rewriting.

Additional administrative features:

•-          Add multiple administrators and super users.

•-          Many global config options

•-          Interesting affiliates system

•-          Advanced web-based banner management

•-          Membership level and privilege management

•-          WYSIWYG editor for all pages

•-          Newsletter mass-mailing feature

•-          Payment processing tools

•-          Profile management

•-          Fully configurable profile wizard

Performance

After installing this software on my web server and testing it for a day with up to five test users, we saw that the application run fast and efficiently, however there's no easy way to test how the system works under heavy load.  We experienced no bugs with the software during our brief test run.  There weren't any major bugs as there often are with open source software.  Installation is extremely easy using the installation wizard.  The software is very simple without any major bells and whistles, but it is also very efficient and fast.

Overview

osDate is one of the only open-source social networking platforms that serve the dating niche.  The primary advantage of using osDate is that it is open-source and free. 

I would recommend osDate for the webmaster hoping to add a dating component to his existing website.  However, the software would not be powerful enough or functional enough to support a full-blown dating website service.