AL>Hi my name is Alan Leakey and I'm looking to have a penpal.
AL>please write back if you are interested
I don't know if I'd be interested in you or not, Alan. As a long time user and prolific message writer on BBSes, I'll set you an example that let's people determine whether they share some sort of affinity with you. Try an intro like this:
Name: Iain Macpherson
Home: Blackalls Park, Lake Macquarie City,
New South Wales, Australia
Age : late thirties
Job : teacher - gifted and talented classes in
primary (elementary) school
Interests: Computing (naturally)
Reading (daily newspaper, anecdotal
material, humorous stories)
Current Affairs TV & Documentaries
Sports - mainly a spectator these days
(soccer, cricket, netball, rugby
league, rugby union, ...)
Family : Wife and two kids (girl 10, boy 8)
Pets : Two cats, many birds
Give some one a chance to size you up and provide them with information that they can respond to readily.