News-Letter

Like everything else, the dating scene is going online.

According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, a study exploring online dating attitudes and behaviors, 16 million ,or about 11 percent, of U.S. internet users have gone online to a dating site or other sites where they can meet people. Eighteen percent of these users were between the ages of 18 and 29 years, representing the highest amount per age range. And college students make up 11 percent of those who date online.

About.com offers seven tips on how to choose an online dating site, the first of which is to "establish a budget." Most dating sites advertise "free" dating but charge Internet users a fee for certain services. These sites allow people to set up a profile, post a photo, search existing profiles and see who has viewed their profile without charge. However, only paid subscribers on such sites are allowed to IM or receive e-mail messages from users who may interest them. Some sites charge a one-time fee, while others automatically charge subscribers yearly or monthly to maintain a profile.

The second tip is to "seek recommendations." As in traditional dating, your friends, family, co-workers and classmates are going to have something to say about who and how you date -- consider their advice. If you know someone who has used an online dating site, inquire about their experiences, but keep in mind that your choice has to ultimately be best for you.

Next, "research available sites." About.com lists the following as the top online dating sites: Match.com, Yahoo!Personals, eHarmony, America's Internet Dating and True.com.

In finding the site that fits your needs and will yield the best results, "consider specialized sites." Choose a site with a network that caters to your religious or political affiliation, sexual preference or educational/career background among other factors.

Then, "determine the pros and cons" by comparing sites to see which suits you. Factor in price, accessibility, features, and reach of each site.

Once you have narrowed your choices, "take a test run." Many sites offer a free trial run. So I figured it would be interesting to give readers an inside look at the process by signing up for what claimed to be a "totally free" dating site.

On Webdate.com I first started off doing a "quick search" for males between the ages of 19 and 25 in the Hopkins zip code, but before the site would show my results, I had to sign up for a username (jhucutie) and password. While filling out the quick profile I was offered the option of receiving frees SMS alerts via cell phone from subscribers interested in my profile. After giving my birth date and location (city and state) and posting a photo -- which was not optional on this site -- I was allowed to see my search results. You later have the option to go back and fill out a more detailed profile survey.

I received 36 pages, each displaying multiple user profiles of eligible males in the area, and could see their photo, displaying name, sex, age and location. I had the option to either "send flirt" or "send e-mail" to users. The "flirts," which allow users to develop a "flirt network," range from basic "Let's chat sometime" to hilarious "Stop. Drop. And Roll baby, `cause you're on fire!" messages.

After sending a series of "flirt" messages to random guys, I checked the home screen. There I could see profile pictures of people online at the same time and who had viewed my profile. Within minutes I had received several views, messages and IM requests. However, since I refused to pay $34.95 for a monthly subscription or even $9.95 for a seven-day trial I cannot tell you what they said.

The final step in the process is to "diversify your portfolio" by having a variety of photos, interests and anecdotes about you that may appeal different types of people.

So if you feel like the real reason you're in your room on a Saturday night is not because you have to finish a paper, study for an exam and do a lab report all in one weekend, but because Hopkins is not offering you the dating options you crave -- and you're willing to spend the money -- give it a try.

Article Tools