Safety-wise, meeting on the Net is inherently similar to meeting offline. As long as the same standard dating precautions are followed, cyber-savvy daters can feel truly at ease while getting to know each other. The main thing to remember: trust your instincts and use common sense just like you would offline.

Before you get started placing profiles, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Helpful Hints from Cupid Himself:

• Remember that you are in control of your online experience at all times. You can remain completely anonymous until you feel ready.
  
  
• You are also in control when it comes to taking an online relationship offline. Plus, you have an advantage online because you can get to know each other before you meet. Remember that you don't need to take anything further than the computer or phone wires until you feel completely at ease. Go at your own pace!
  
  
• When you do decide to meet face to face, pick a public place and provide your own transportation to and fro. Tell a friend where you're going and check in when you return home.
  
  
• Never include your personal contact information in your profile, especially telephone numbers, email, home address or your last name, and only give them out when your instincts tell you this is someone you can trust. It's okay to take your time.
  
  
• Set up an email account just for online personals.
  
  
• Ask a lot of questions and watch for inconsistencies.
  
  
• Stay away from members who won't take no for an answer or pressure you for any kind of personal information. Serious cyber-savvy daters will respect your space and allow you to take your time.
  
  
• Even with our strong effort to ensure the quality of our sites, we cannot guarantee perfection in the system. To deal with this, we have a 24 hour customer care hotline, and we ask members to call if they see anything strange so that we can research it.
  
  
• If someone asks you to go to their personal web site or asks you for money, use common sense not to oblige and then report the situation to us.
  
• If someone gives you a phone number with a strange area code, check it out to make sure it's not a charge number before you make the call.
  
• Using your own good judgment is your best bet because ultimately you are responsible for your personal dating experience. Trust your instincts and then have fun with the right people!
  

Nervous about going out on that first date? Most people are. The good news is that the more you date, the easier it gets.

Here are some first date basics to try, and before you know it, you'll be having fun, expanding your circle of friends and on your way to finding someone you might actually want to go on a second date.

Before the Real Live "Offline" Date Tips

Doing the asking. Don't just ask someone out simply for the sake of it. Instead, find someone that really sparks your interest. Email back and forth a couple of times or have a phone conversation before you make your move.

When you're ready, suggest by email or phone that you hook up. A simple "Hey, why don't we get together for a cup of coffee?" is a good start.

If the object of your affection is interested (and only if interested), ask when they're available and suggest a time and place.

Choose something that's convenient for both of you.

Picking a spot to meet. Ideally, your first date should be at an open place that has a lot of people milling about, like a coffee shop, happy hour bar or casual lunch joint.

A little creativity is a good idea, but remember that your goal is not to impress your date with the lavish setting but rather to select a spot that's casual and nice where there'll be ample opportunity to chit-chat quietly and get to know each other. Your best bet is someplace that you've already been to and like.

If you don't have a spot in mind, ask a friend, coworker or even your date to recommend a favorite.

Tell a friend what's going on. Sharing the haps with friends will help you lighten up and appease any safety worries you might have.

Also, if your date bombs, you'll have someone to laugh about it with, and if your date is the bomb, you'll have someone to share your glee.

Keep your expectations in check. You're going on a first date, not walking down the aisle, so expect to meet a new friend, not your life mate.

Keeping your expectations in line takes the pressure off and is one of the keys to a fantastic first date.

If you end up becoming more than just friends, wonderful; but if not, you'll at least be relaxed enough to have a nice time.

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statistics show that people on Internet relationship sites are 10 times more likely to look at a profile with a photo than one without.

No matter how compelling your personal description is, if you don't post a photo, or post one that doesn't accentuate all your best qualities, it could be the roadblock to getting the kind of responses you want. Which is why having the best possible photo of yourself on your profile is so very important.

When posting your profile photo:

• DO add a current photo of yourself to your profile.
  
  
• DO smile.
  
  
• DO submit a clear photo with good lighting.
  
  
• DO add a second photo of you in another pose for added variety.
  
  
• DO tell which person you are if you submit a picture of you and your friends.
  
  
• DO submit your picture in jpeg format.
  
  
• DON'T submit a picture of yourself and your former boyfriend/girlfriend. If you're looking for a new partner, submit a current picture of only yourself.
  
  
• DON'T submit a picture that has an obvious "cut-out" of another person in the photo — it sends a less-than-positive impression.
  
  
• DON'T get too close to the webcam when taking your picture - if you do, the picture will appear grainy and fuzzy . you don't want that!
  
  
• DON'T submit pictures of yourself that are suggestive or sexual in nature.
  
  
• DON'T submit a photo that does not clearly show your facial features.
  
  
• DON'T submit your old high school or college photo - current photos only!