How do we choose Dating and Network Software vendors?

Choosing Dating and Networking Software is not an easy thing. First of all because there are a lot of Dating, Personals, Network Software providers nowadays in the Net.

There's a tendency towards Social Networking and many people who plan to start their Dating Buisness change the directory and start a combination of Dating and Networking. As we have discussed before, Dating and Networking have the same basis, with an advantage to personals sites which give us a "freedom of intentions" in relationships. Literally it means that when we're at a Dating Site we imply that we search for a sweetheart or something like that. At Socila Networking site people come for friendship, sharing, community, probably dating.

All these differences do not affect software script so much. Relationship parameter is easily changed and it's usually a conception that makes Networking sites stand out of the Dating crowd. What about Dating Software vendors? I have made a research and tried to figure out what has changed in their software with a word "Network" added to software description.

Here's a descriptive chart I made when trying to find out the answers:

SkaDate offers Dating software positioned as a software for "dating/social networking site". Together with standard features like searches, chats, profiles, blogs they added Tags section. It's a variety of search based on public opinion of site community. Not many things were changed though.

AbleDating describes Dating script as "Community Software". The same Dating features combined with additional sections for site users like biorythms, name match, web recorder, photo ratings possibly make it ready for starting a Networking Site. But on the whole it's still the same Dating Site with special texts.

AEwebworks has announced about new direction in software development long ago. They specialize on Social Networking Software but when we have a quick look we won't notice a big difference with Dating Software. Of course, then you'll notice a more widened search option, ratings and other community features like friends lists (same as Hot lists), Blogs, Forums.

WebScribble released Web Network- Social Networking Software with customizable profiles, widened communication tools. All the other options are almost the same as at Dating Scripts. Though I should note that the last 2 companies really tried to make a separate software for Personals sites.

DatingPro of Pilot Group has also widened a range of features, changed the priorities and conseptions. On the whole Dating Pro software also became Network oriemted. But I can see the same options in the initial script as in all listed above.

After a long research I came to a conclusion that Dating and Networking Software are almost the same and if I will be planning to start Online Dating or Networking business I would probably evaluate support level and policies of my future vendor company. What about you? What do you think of the features main vendors offer? How would you choose Dating or Networking Software? I'll highly appreciate your opinions, additions and criticism.