Want to find the love of your life? Looking instead for some pals to explore with local downtown with? Yearn to synch up instead with a fellow diehard sports enthusiast?

No matter what your interest is, the Internet most likely will have several if not, well, more than several targeted niched resources for your dating needs! But hang on for a sec - prior to dashing off willy-nilly, you need to learn:

Before You Begin - Who's Behind The Screen?

Got some vivid magic marker? Okay, write down the following on your neon sticky note and stick it everywhere you'll need to remember:

You have no idea who is really behind that monitor

I'm quite serious here. Remember, the Internet allows for anonymity; anyone (and I mean ANYONE) can make up an online persona for themselves that would even fool their dear little old sweet mother.

Ponder upon it...you've heard in the news often enough how sexual predators will lurk on kiddie chats, right? The same problem emerges on online dating sites...while a vast majority of people might be honestly searching for a terrific relationship, there are the shower-mold-of-humanity ickness who are searching only to defraud people.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't try online dating, of course! It simply means you should be very careful and educate yourself about both the wonderful benefits and the dismaying pitfall of internet dates. Dating Rules will give you many more tips for your dating pleasure.

With that out of the way, let's now begin by:

Step 1 - Dating 101, The Big Sites

If you're relatively new to the Internet dating scene, you probably want to explore the big sites first. They are:

• Match.com - More than 21 million subscribers (huge number of potential dates), unique personality-matching, geographic, mutual interest and keyword searching, free Match.com messenger, simple method for categorizing friends, winks, quick access to your email history, more. Get a full review here.

• eHarmoney.com - More than 21 million subscribers (huge number of potential dates), unique personality-matching, geographic, mutual interest and keyword searching, free Match.com messenger, simple method for categorizing friends, winks, quick access to your email history, more. Get a full review here.

• Friendfinder.com - Powers more than 15 niche singles communities, encompassing ethnic, adult, hobby and religious sites. Chat rooms are 3-D and are broken down into demographics such as the BayArea room, the Dallas room, the Hot Tub, etc.Get a full review here.

Dating can encompass for more than generic sites, of course. The next point to consider is:

Step 2 - Ethnic/Religious/Hobby Dating

Perhaps you yearn to socialize with folks who share your same values/hobbies/background etc. Most likely, you'll be able to uncover sites like:

• Big Church.com - Targeted exclusively to the Christian faith...and when I say exclusively, I mean just that - you can search for Christian singles in over over 218 Christian faiths. Get a full review here.

• Jewish FriendFinder - Part of the FriendFinder network, which means it has the money to provide cutting-edge dating tools. Highly recommended - Jewish matches include Conservative, Gerim (convert), Orthodox, Reconstructionist,* Reform, Secular/Unaffiliated and more. Get a full review here.

• Black Singles - This site focuses on bringing black singles together. Anonymous messaging, black dating message boards and more are there for you to try free.Get a full review here.

• Asian Dating - Asian dating services focus on the Far East culture. Many of them have online communties in which paid members can interact via forums, chats, etc. Get a full review here.

• Hobby Dating - Sports, cooking, geeking, fitness, reading, soap operas and more. Get a full review here.

Neat, huh?

Step 3 - For More Information

Other great tips/background on online Internet dating include:

• Before Dating Online - datings dos/don'ts

• Newbie Online Dating - newbie online dating

• History of Online Dating - long long ago and far far away...

And if you'd like to get some goodies about online dating, check out:

Online Dating for Dummies
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 4 Date: 2008-06-30 Summary: My Review ... My reviews always air on the side of benefit of the doubt to the author. I thought this book was an easy read and had some basic common sense tips about dating online. One thing she emphasized was having a pic and safety, two important concepts. Many other common sense tips as well. One thing I noticed in the book that I wasn't thrilled about, she says if you are not happy in a date, then go to the bathroom and call a friend to show up and pretend you didn't realize they were coming. ( well you still would not break ...more
[2] Rating: 4 Date: 2007-08-09 Summary: Easy and Good, but NOT ALL ANSWERS!!! ... I liked this book, but it isn't a book of answers. However, if you are a newbie to online dating, it helps a lot to read this book. Most online daters have no clue what they are doing. The successful ones that you see on TV (doing eharmony commercials) are the lucky ones. That's why this book helps. It first gives you the low down on online dating and why it is completely different from real world dating. Since it is so different, everyone needs to take a different approach to it. Surprisingly, not everyone does. How ...more
Editorial Reviews — ... Product Description | Chances are, you've heard about Internet dating from a friend, or an online banner ad has caught your eye. If you've given online dating a passing consideration, you may have some fears from all those graphic horror stories that jar your senses – and your sensibilities. Or you may think that meeting people via the Internet is only for the disenfranchised or socially unskilled. From their own experiences, 20 million people can tell you otherwise. Online Dating For Dummies will get you...more

Fine, I'll Go Online!: The Hollywood Publicist's Guide to Successful Internet Dating
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-02-11 Summary: Excellent! ... This book has excellent insight into online dating and is told in a fresh, tongue in cheek manner that never grates on your nerves. I highly recommend this one if you are just getting started online, or if you are having problems with it. I also liked and would also recommend Dating Sense: The Practical Way to Meet, Date and Marry the Right Person. ...more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-01-06 Summary: Well worth it! ... This book gives great practical advice that you would only get from a really caring and Honest best friend. It really motivated me. Well written and organized, really helpful. ...more
Editorial Reviews — ... Product Description | Visit www.fineillgoonline.com   It only takes one, but finding one you click with can be tough.  These days, more and more women are deciding to go online to find love.  In this fun yet informative guide, top Hollywood publicist Leslie Oren will give you the tricks of her trade – marketing and creating an image – to help you navigate today’s tangled dating Web to find a match who’s waiting for you. Just like she has done for her clients in Hollywood, Leslie will teach you how...more

Slow & Tight: Every Man's Guide to Online Dating
Customer Reviews — [1] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-27 Summary: Great suggestions and interesting statistics ... This book covers all aspects of dating from the author's perspective and some statistical informaiton. Out of all the other online dating books that I have bought so far, this one is the most valuable. ...more
[2] Rating: 5 Date: 2008-12-04 Summary: "Slow and tight" - LOL, it woked! ... I'm new to online dating and had no idea where to begin. I decided to read a few books regarding the subject matter and for the most part they all contain useful information. Slow and Tight is definitely a guy's book from a guy's point of view. What I like about it is that it's very direct and informative. No beating around the bush. It's short, sweet, and to the point. This book gives you everything you need to know on how get started. What to put in your profile. What to put in your contact letters. What not to bring ...more
Editorial Reviews — ... Product Description | Don’t waste another dime using online dating until you’ve read SLOW & TIGHT! This is not another book to help you “score” more women by teaching cheesy “pick-up” lines. It’s a proven system that shows you how to get the EXACT women you want for EXACTLY what you want using online dating! Featured on PLAYBOY radio, the success of SLOW & TIGHT has already helped thousands of men meet their EXACT woman for sex or better relationships. This book teaches that online dating must...more

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