News From the Front

We've moved to your TV! Our own Editorial Director Josh Glenn hosted an eight part series onCNNfn's IT'S ONLY MONEY. The Tripod segment was called "News From the Front."

If you're jonesin' for love, you're not alone. Josh takes you on a tour of the love dens on the net, places where you can meet your soul mate, buy some nice gifts, or create a perfect apology (in case you spaced the big Heart Day).

Love on the Line (Ain't No Big Surprise)

Well, it's Valentine's Day, and love is in the air, not to mention the ether. And though you could take a day off from work or school and race around town trying to show that special someone how you feel, we've got a better idea: Sit right where you are and snare your lover on the Net. And to help you, we've provided some handy links to help you be the perfect Romeo or Juliet.

Send a valentine to show how much you care

Hey, any Neanderthal can send a handwritten note. But you're different -- better. So why not send an online valentine with one of these cool valentine generators?

Tripod's Valentine Maker: Once you have your free Tripod membership, you can create and send a message of love using those little candy hearts -- without rotting your teeth.
The Cyrano Server: OK, so you're not a poet. No worries -- the Cyrano Server helps you put your love into words (and can help you break things off, too, if need be).
The Qpid Valentine Site: Send a custom-made card or blow someone a kiss -- be it French or Eskimo -- complete with sound effects.

Don't know your lover's e-mail address?

No problem. Just look it up using one of these online directories. Look up their home address as well, so you know where to send the flowers, but be responsible about how you use that information. Remember: No one likes a stalker.

Four11: Enter as much information as you know about your valentine, and Four11 will fill in the blanks. Lets you search for a person's e-mail address, street address, phone number, and more.
WhoWhere?: Geared specifically to finding e-mail addresses.
Bigfoot: Hunt down that elusive information.
555-1212: Uses the databases of a number of other services, including those above, so you can do a one-stop search.

Maybe I'm old-fashioned, but I still believe in the power of flowers.

So do we -- not to mention chocolates, and booze, and some nice jazz... And the Web has just what you're looking for. Bring your romantic self to one of these sites and patch together the perfect declaration of love. (Of course, if you're looking for something for this year's V-Day, you're probably a bit late. Still, any time's the right time...

1-800-FLOWERS: Sure, you could call the number, but if you visit the site, you can check out the goods online before you invest all that dough!
PC Flowers from Excite: Another flower peddler, brought to you by the folks at Excite (the search engine people).
The Virtual Vineyard: Why not send a nice bottle of wine, then show up to help drink it? And that's not all you can get here: Order chocolate, or trinkets, or even a romantic dinner -- they send you the easy-to-follow recipes and the nonperishable ingredients, and you just insert Tab A into Slot B.
1 Virtual Place: Buy and send everything from flowers and cards to tech gizmos like a Digital Answering System with Pager Link (not too romantic, we know, but it could be useful).
Music Boulevard: Send the sounds of love. And with their Valentine's Special, you can choose from 12 love-themed cds and create a personalized card to send along with it for under 20 bucks.

Hate to bum you out, but I ain't got a valentine.

Hey, don't sweat it -- that's what we're here for. For starters, you can try out one of the Web's matchmaking services. (Perhaps that will help ensure that you do have a valentine for next year.) And if you still can't find someone, you can always get some good advice online.

Match.Com: Enter a personal profile and the service conducts a two-way search to match you up with others like you.
BestMatch: Use their online interactive search engine and scan their database to find that special person.
Ask Dr. Tracy: Advice for the lovelorn.

Still not satisfied?

Boy, you're a real love machine, aren't you? Well, try one of these other links to help get you through the season.

The Story of Cupid: Find out what exactly's up with that naked little guy and his weapon d'amore.
A History of Valentine's Day: Learn about the original Love Doctor, and the holiday he spawned.
Bodger and Grift's Medieval Pick-Up Lines: "Can I hose down your doublet?" Oh, yeah. These'll work.
Love Potion Tea: For the romantic alchemist in all of us.
The I Love You Page: Learn how to say those magic words in a billion different languages.
Mark's Apology Note Generator: Ya missed Valentine's Day, didn't you. Don't worry -- Mark's going to help you make it all better (you still might want to check out 1-800-FLOWERS).
Joe's Amazing Relationship Problem Solver: Who needs Dr. Tracy when you've got Joe?

Good luck!

Well, here's hoping we've helped you on your way to true love and happiness. Now why not check out the rest of our CNNfn "News From the Front" shows? And remember who loves ya, baby!