What have I learned?

I have learned about numerous low-cost resources for locating someone on the Internet.

I have learned that there are shortcomings to many of the people-search sites.

I have also learned that simple, "unprofessional" resources--such as MySpace--can work better than some people-search sites that advertise themselves as being a high-tech way to find anyone, anywhere.

Yahoo's free e-mail finder and MySpace were the resources that would have enabled me to contact Jennifer completely for free. However, the venue through which I did actually find her, Classmates.com, did not cost that much (about $9 total for a 3-month "gold membership" that lets me send messages through the site).

I have also learned that you have to be wary of using your credit card on these sites (as well as other types of sites) if you do not want your address (your billing address, anyway) to appear on people-finder sites.

Also, people should know that if they are listed in the phonebook, their address and phone number will be not only in the phone directory, but all over the Internet.