I started out online,before I met my husband/Master, I started chatting/ frequenting BDSM chatrooms. I did meet some total idiots in the course of trying to find someone to talk to, and learn from, but the relationship I eventually formed with my online Dom was a rewarding one. We got to know each other in private messaging, and then proceeded to email and YIM after a period of time. I learnt a lot about my needs and feelings and what I was comfortable with and what I wasn't. It was a very safe way for me to learn as I was very new and naive then too. The relationship came to a natural end, as I realised I did want real time, and needed to explore those possibilities but I found the relationship a rewarding and useful one at the time.