Advancements in technology and networking are allowing people in an already multimedia-focused generation to connect with others in less time than it takes to heat a Pop-Tart.

Not surprisingly, companies such as Facebook.com and eHarmony.com are seizing the opportunity to connect people online.

“Thanks eHarmony,” and “I never thought I’d meet someone so much like myself,” are the catchy phrases ingrained in memories after an enormous ad campaign by eHarmony.

According to eHarmony.com, the dating service “is responsible for thousands of marriages because of its patented Compatibility Matching System.”

Founder of eHarmony.com, Dr. Neil Clark Warren, designed the service after 35 years of research.

“Where other dating sites focus on the size of their databases and match on a picture and a paragraph, eHarmony is the only site that brings singles together using a scientifically-proven set of compatibility principles based on proven marital success,” said Joe Zink, eHarmony spokesman.

Completing an eHarmony.com profile takes about an hour. Questions range from religious preferences to what a person’s relationship with his or her mother was like while growing up.

After the questionnaire is complete, 20 percent of members are left with a screen saying there isn’t a match for them.

While the self-proclaimed leader of online dating said eHarmony has the best system, other sites offer a smaller and more specific selection of members based on religious preferences and interests.

Those of Arab descent have choices such as Arablounge.com and Arabium.com to pick from. For those not necessarily looking for their soul mates with these serives, adultfriendfinder.com offers a list of less-committed partners to choose from.

Currently, there are no regulations concerning individual profiles stating the truth.

Troy Melendez, licensed psychologist and director of Commuter and Non-Traditional Student Services at NIU, said people will misrepresent themselves in order to appear like the perfect match.

“The opportunity to deceive is a lot easier online,” Melendez said. “In a bar, your information isn’t printed on the back of your head, whereas on a Web site, I can preview who you are before I ever contact you and tailor my approach to be something you might like.”