You may have stumbled onto the online dating scene while surfing the Internet, and thought it looked like an interesting way to meet other singles. Or maybe a friend or colleague at work has had positive experiences with online dating, and recommended it as an alternative to the singles bars and blind dates you're grown weary of trying.

Online romance happens. And it happens to people with your background and interests, who mingle over the Internet and then date people they meet who meet their criteria and have the right interpersonal chemistry. In fact, there are sites that provide matchmaking services to people from all walks of life, educational levels, professions, economic brackets, and locations. Just browse sites and pick those that seem to fit your style and personality. Here are just a few examples of the variety of online singles circles that are available with a few clicks of the computer mouse:

* Senior Singles
* Environmentally Conscious Singles
* Christian Singles
* Jewish Singles
* Gay Singles
* College Singles
* Professional Singles
* Single Parent Singles
* Romantic Redheaded Singles Who Fish, Sew, and Drive German Cars

Well, okay, we admit that we made up that last category, but we would not be surprised if you did a thorough search and found dozens of singles who fit that specific description. The Internet community is accessed by more almost half of the people living in the USA every day, and by using Internet-based dating resources, you can an almost unlimited number of singles who share the same desire as you, namely, to meet someone great and date.

Here are some basic tips to help you begin your process of online romantic discovery:

* First, make a short list that describes the kind of person you're interested in dating. For example, "Age 20-25, athletic, enjoys dancing, non-smoker, in college or recently graduated". Or for instance, "Age 45-65, enjoys cooking at home and watching television, regular church attendance, has a child from a previous marriage."

* Whatever you want, just make notes to help you define it.

* Next, visit websites and use some of the descriptors you came up with to search for the profiles of other singles. For instance, you might do a search within the NYC area, for "Jewish, aged 30-35" Once you get results, narrow down your search by reading specific information listed in the profile. Does this person like to go to restaurants and travel? Do they have photographs I can view? Are they interested in going to the gym on a regular basis, as I do?

* Soon you will have compiled a list of potential "candidates". And most sites have a feature that allows you to save those profiles for later review.

* Once you find someone you'd like to meet, just follow the protocol for contacting them, which usually involves simply hitting a button and sending them an email.

* Keep your initial contact simple, straightforward, courteous, and to the point. For example:

* "Hi. I just read your profile and you sound so interesting. I think we may have a lot in common, and I would love to get to know you better. Please reply."

Soon your inbox may fill up with messages from others who are, like you, searching for someone to get to know in a romantic way. You're well on your way to successful romance, and you did not even have to leave your desk to find someone special.