Lonely? Wired? If you're a single person on-line looking to meet others, be prepared to wait. There must be some very lonely people out there on the Internet, as many of these sites were slower than mud. Also, be wary of sites that are trying to capitalize on loneliness to get you hooked into a 1-900 pay service. They use code words like "Hot" and "Fun" rather than "Love" and "Romance."
American Singles Non-Profit Dating Service is a free service for men and women seeking each other on the Internet. You can create, update, and delete your profile on-line, then search through about 1,000 listings for people you'd like to meet based on these criteria.
About soc.singles is the no-nonsense repository of information about the Usenet newsgroup soc.singles. Included are links to pictures of the group's regulars and to the latest "boinks," which are not what you'd think: They're the group's gatherings in places like Dallas and Denver. The soc.singles FAQ is pretty much required reading if you want to become a denizen of the group. Remember, whatever you do, "Don't post personal ads to soc.singles!"
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The Single Search Home Page claims to use unique matching software that ensures you'll find a person compatible with your interests, habits, education, income, and goals. It's not as cheap as some other sites, but you can fill out an on-line form and e-mail a Visa or Mastercard number to get service. For $25 a month, you get a list of matches in your local area, from which you can order complete detailed profiles for $7.
public.com Personals is a huge, slow site with loads of pointers to personals publications and listings. You can search the entire database of over 17,000 ads for people meeting the criteria you specify. Once you get the search results, though, it's the same old $1.95-a-minute 900 number to call so you can hear the voice messages left by these folks.
DialWeb Home Page offers secure communications. Say you've met someone over the Internet but aren't yet comfortable giving that person your phone number. For 99 cents a minute, DialWeb can link you up via its 1-900 service. You and the other party agree on a password and a time to call, you both dial in to DialWeb, and voila! You're talking.
The World Wide Web Dating Game might have been better named The Love Connection Comes to Cyberspace. You can vote on who should get the date in the current game, view a sample game from the past, or enter yourself. Best of all, it's free. And if you enter and are chosen to play, they'll pitch in up to $75 for your date.
Cupid's Network, Inc. , the self-proclaimed "World's Largest Network of Romantic Eligibles," is a good jump-off point to dating services, singles events around the country, organizations, and magazines.
The Singles Adventure Club offers information on the club's upcoming trips. See the world with like-minded singles. Trips in the past have been to Peru, Vietnam, Thailand, and many other exotic locales. There is no membership fee beyond the vacation's cost.
Singles Web comprises personal ads and dating tips for men and women, including how to say "I love you" in various languages. The price is right for personal ads: $20 for three months. Singles Web will even set up a blind e-mail box for you if you don't want to give out your real e-mail address. When we reviewed this site, however, there were few ads.
LoveNet bills itself as the UK's premier dating service, but judging by its graphic design, it would more appropriately be called SexNet. The personal ads seem legitimate, but if you want to place or respond to an ad, you'll need to use LoveNet's phone lines, and you will be charged for a call to Britain. The main page contains some funny trivia such as top ten lists for kisses and love offerings of all time, desirable physical attributes, and quotes about love and marriage.
Christians looking for companionship on-line should head to the Christian Singles On Line Home Page , which guarantees you'll find at least ten matches for your $50.
#Singles WWW Home Page is a quick introduction to the regulars you'll meet on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channel #singles, with brief bios and pictures. It might tempt you to tackle setting up that IRC software (http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/hypertext/faq/usenet/irc-faq/faq.html).
The Singles Dateline is another ad for a 900-number date line at $2.49 per minute; it does look legitimate and safe.
Avalon Communication Inc. offers gay, straight, and Spanish date lines, phone sex, and party lines at $2.00 per minute.
by Richard Butner