You research your field of study before you pursue it and you research a topic before you write about it. So, why not research a guy before you date him? DDHG.com makes that possible. Dontdatehimgirl.com is a Web site created by Tasha Joseph of Florida. Joseph, 35, is a public relations consultant and created the site in July 2005 to allow women to share their experiences about guys they’ve dated and warn others who may consider them. On the site, one is allowed to type a guy’s name into the search box or add a post containing a guy’s name and picture, if available. It is not necessary to be a member to look for someone or to add a post, though it is necessary to comment on others’.

Additional features include a “Love Panel,” where you can ask “renowned love experts” questions about different things, online shopping for web site gear, music powered by imeem.com and more.

Without the restrictions on the validity of the information given, it’s easy to exaggerate details in the guy’s profile. A guy who finds his name can only guess who has posted it since all members are anonymous.

The comments made vary from, “he gave me an STD” to “he still owes me child support.” This could have a large affect on the guy and his reputation.

A legal dispute between Pittsburgh lawyer Todd Hollis and Joseph arose in 2006 when Hollis found his name and description on the site.

Due to the 1996 Communications Decency Act, however, he did not prevail. This legal implement protects the creator of the site and proposes that the person(s) posting the information must be held liable. Since the work is done anonymously, there is no resolution.

During the time of the case, Joseph brought up that there is a way for guys to defend themselves; this rebuttal is placed next to their existent profile.

While some infuriated men take advantage of this feature, others are unaware of the existence of their name on the site or could, overall, care less.

“I don’t really care that much to prove something’s not true, because I know who I am and if you know me you know how I am,” said sophomore Spanish Education major, Wil Guilford.

Although there is good reason to be upset about the site, it’s nothing less than freedom of speech.

Anthony Hawkins, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Wilmington says, “I don’t think it should be banned because everyone has the right to their own opinion. They can have their own web site, but I don’t think it’s right.” Dontdatehimgirl.com is just one of many web sites where the public can anonymously post guys’ or girls’ pictures and description to warn unknowing daters. The memberships to these sites usually only require a valid e-mail address; from there, the possibilities are endless.

After hearing anout the web site, many A&T males were more surprised than upset. With the understanding that it’s all opinion. Malcolm Maye, a sophomore Business Management major from Farmsville makes a valid point. “The male could be absolutely legit, but because this girl saw something wrong with him, they just slandered his name and exaggerated the truth just because they don’t want anybody else to talk to him when they could want him themselves.” Guilford adds to the statement with his belief that not all girls like the same type of guy. Just because one girl doesn’t like a “thug” doesn’t mean the next one won’t.

• Stacie Bailey