I've searched and tried several free online dating services but they
all seem lame. What is the best online dating services I should try? 
They don't need to be free - they just need to be real, not "traps" or
full of fake posts.  I need a reliable, trustworthy dating service
where I know I won't be wasting my precious time (all I seem to do is
type, type, type out all these forms and no one ever contacts me. 
It's frustrating!).  Can you advise?

Dear Blueyes, 

First of all, here is a comparison of fee-based and free dating
services that would help you determine which services you'd like to
address.

Online Dating Agencies
<http://searchenginez.com/dating_agencies.html> 

More reviews and recommendations could be found here: 
"America's Internet Dating", September 2005, AboutDating, About.com 
<http://dating.about.com/od/datinginfosites/ss/InternetDating.htm> 

And also: 
Jeff Cohen, "Top 5 Free Online Dating", DatingAbout, About.com
<http://dating.about.com/od/sitereviews/tp/FreeOnline.htm> 

Free Dating Services
<http://www.free-dating-service.info/> 

However, as Mayoarin has suiggested, if you have tried multiple
services and weren't satisfied, the problem might lie somewhere else:
not in those sites, but somewhere else:
- Some people are just not "built" for the online dating world. They
need the personal contact; they feel that they cannot summarise their
whole personality in few lines or form questions. You might find it
easier, for example, to try and just hook into a chatroom that is
concentrated in your area, or in something you're interested in. You
can meet people that way in a "natural-like" environment.
- The way you've presented yourself. Online dating, like any ad,
requires some ability to sell yourself.
- In addition, there is no easy way of saying this, but most "quality"
sites do charge some sort of fee, which is partially intended exactly
in blocking all kinds of mock offers, scams, creeps, etc. Paying for
something indicates that you're about business.

You can learn more about writing an ad at: 

Jeff Cohen, "How To Master Online Ad Posting", DatingAbout, About.com 
<http://dating.about.com/od/navigatingsites/ht/WritePersonalAd.htm> 

And about choosing a site: 

Jeff Cohen, "Choose the Best Internet Dating Service for You",
DatingAbout, About.com
<http://dating.about.com/od/onlinepersonals/qt/InternetDating.htm> 

Jeff Cohen, "How To Choose Online Dating Sites", DatingAbout, About.com, 
<http://dating.about.com/od/choosingonlinesites/ht/ChooseDateSite.htm> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. Search:
[free online dating review] + personal knowledge

Blueeyes,
This is just a free  - and maybe fresh -  comment.
If you have tried several dating services, maybe the problem is in the
way you present yourself.  I don't think we want a download as an
example, but possibly there are contradictions in the information, or
maybe too high expectations can be inferred.  No offense intended, but
with increasing frustration, maybe you are - have been - reacting to
previous disappointing experiences when you "type, type, type."
I am way, way removed from the subject of dating services, so I cannot
comment on them, but it seems that it can be a branch that is more
interested in attracting paying registered users than in serving their
interests.
Someone here recently suggested that the best way to meet people is to
get out and do what you like to do, which is very much my own opinion.
 When you are doing something that you truly enjoy, you not only are
having that personal pleasure, you "come across" as a someone who is
interested in what she/he is doing and is satisfied with her/himself. 
That is a much better starting point for meeting someone:  a common
interest, low key (we're not both "desparate" dating service users).
So, hey, this is just a comment, and sometimes that makes it easier
for someone else to add one, or for a Researcher to suggest an answer.
I hope so, Myoarin

Myoarin....

I met the "love of my life", who I've been with for 1 & 1/2 years now,
at an internet dating site. We would never, ever had met in real life.
AND, he lives only 15 min. from my work :)!!!!

Steph53

Steph,
Congratulations!  I didn't say that one couldn't find a match through
the services, but every individual is different.
Myoarin

Put an ad in your local paper.

  'Dog walking between 6pm and 9pm'

If you want to get commercial then ...