Like so many aspects of the Internet, this phenomenon has assumed gigantic proportions in the media, sometimes way out of kilter with reality. So I thought it would be a matter of public service to clarify and soothe anyone worried about how it works, whether it's worth it, or if it's merely the refuge of a bunch of pasty-faced nerds. First, a few factoids and clarifications about meeting people online. Chat or live chat generally means simultaneous email exchanges with one or more people online at the same time as you. This makes it hard to hide, if you ever want to.
Personals exist online, and recently have begun appearing on the Web.
They operate much the same way as their paper counterparts do. There are already a number of these catering to a mix of gay, bi and straight customers. Already very popular among gay men, GIF means Graphic Image Format. It's a picture file you've scanned into your computer and can send along with email to someone you're getting to know. Of course, GIFs don't have to signal a sexual message, but they often do.