I have now changed my user name to the way I feel about internet dating and internet 'relationsips'. First my experience with Singlesnet.com They advertise free e mailing to select members. When I tried to do that, the same old message wanting you to join and give your credit card info before you can write the new love of your life. Same old *censored*. They should ban ALL internet dating sites under federal law to protect people. A few do meet and form relationships but in general, it is like those scams that the elderly fall for because they are lonely and they send all their money to have a 'friend'. I have been on match.com and I have written EVERY type of ad that I used in 20 years of using PRINT personal ads (which worked great but are no longer available where I live). All that is left is the damned Internet or do things by yourself-which may not be a bad idea. As for match.com, I have not had ONE woman send me a reply without me first sending her one and then I tried to be selective and wrtoe just a few women and three responded and none turned into a date. I am nearly 50 and I thought that it was a man's paradise at this age-at least according to what I see on TV and the movies and read in newspapers in dating advice and articles. I am decent looking and the only requirement on match.com is that the woman not have kids or if she does, not obsess over them so she can devote energy to starting a relationship. If that is selfish, it is nothing compared to what the woman on matchcom want. They want a Greek God with a ton of money that is a major mover and shaker in the community. This guy does not anymore exist than a model in Sports Illistrated swimsuit issue would be advertising for a date on-line. It is more than time to get real. How many happy couples do you see at restuarants, movies. etc. And how many miserable looking guys standing in line with that pitiful cheap bunch of flowers at the local grocery store on Ventines Day? LOTS. Second, should pen pal relationships be banned? That is up to the individual like the decision to drink or do drugs. But from what I have experienced recently (this does not count all my pen pal experiences but they are pretty much the same as the two I am describing) is that two people have suddenly 'found' me. One I remembered from high school nearly 35 years ago!. The other said that I was in her address book and she decided to write after 2 and a half years! I have repeatedly asked why did this person wait so long to contact me again. I do not even remeber this person yet she seemed to know me. And she won't anser why she waited so long to write. I am dumping this personunless she comes up with some answers. Playtime is over. And at first, there were one or two e mails a day for about a week or two from this last woman that waited the 2 and a half years to write.. Now they have stopped as of las week So I started writing e mails first and now I get no response. Pretty strange like most that inhabit the Internet and make it their way of life. I see some forums that count the number of posts a person makes and one forum routinely has members who have made hundreds or even thousands of posts on that one site. No telling how many other sites they post to. Get a life. While posting valuable information and at times venting are fine, I think that the internet is becoming too addictive and the government should begin to regulate certain areas of the Internet. I have been on the internet since 1995 and it was disorganized, there was a lot of free things that now cost because they have found that there is a lot of money to be made and a lot is run by gangs, Russian mafia, etc who prey on those least able to protect themselves. And dating is a very emotional area and more people are scammed in this area than any other I suspect.

First and foremost when dating off of the web is" expect nothing". I have been doing this internet dating for several years off and on again. I do agree that for the most part they are rip offs. I have paid lots of money for them to find me a date and "hook me up". Sounds like fishing without the benefit of a sunrise or an open fire to enjoy. I now use only the ones that are free and if they decide to sneak in a rule of I have to pay to use their service of e-mailing prospects then I fill out the form to sign up and just hope that the man I am interested in finds me. They own the site and they are into it to make money any way they can. I have found that the best way to meet someone is to decide what you want in the next person sharing your life. If I want a man that can fix my car when it breaks I shop for little items at the local auto suppy store. I just might meet him there. I make certain I am friendly and smile. If I want a man that goes to church then I go to church after church until I find someone to talk to. To find someone to share your life with is like a job application. You are the employer. Ask questions and check them out. I personally have had a few dates from hell but for the most part I am lucky to have made several long term relationships that were first dates. Some are over 10 years old and still growing. As for being upset about sites charging for what is supposed to be free...I agree that the government should hold them to their promise. But here again we are talking about our government. Be it the best that there is and we are still free to write and say what we want...somethiing is lacking. Do you have any ideas?????