Do you have a friend at The WELL?

Chances are that somebody interesting pointed you here. That's what we had in mind. A WELL member wants to invite you to sample this place as a guest, for free.

If you already have an idea about what that means, go back and simply ask your friend to log in to our billing center to email you your free invitation. Use it like a gift certificate for two months. No credit card needed, no commitment, just your real name and your friend's invitation from your email!

If you're not sure what this is about, or the person you heard from is not actually a friend who knows you well, please read on.

This is an unusual place. Started by Stewart Brand and Larry Brilliant back in 1985, this is where the idea of virtual community was first described. It's an ongoing conversation zone, filled with very interesting people. WELL members use real names, and have real conversations and relationships. Sometimes for years. It's not for everyone, but here's a chance to find out if it's just what you've been thirsting for.

Check out The WELL today: Explore and enjoy for two months, free. Why? For years all of our memberships have required a month's subscription up front with no exceptions. That allows us to confirm your identity so we can authorize your access. With your friend's recommendation tied to this invitation, we'll waive that.

And if you join now without any invite from a friend, we will still extend you an introductory discount. Choose your membership plan, (starting with link in the next column).

Would you rather just poke around the outside, public parts of The WELL for a bit?

Enjoy.

Now tell your friend -- the one who sent you here -- to go ahead and issue you that invitation for your free 2-month invitation-only look around inside this place. Ask 'em to show you around!

PS: If you have not been sent by a friend, that is, pointed here by someone who knows your name, welcome. We can still set you up for our best current discount. Simply choose a membership plan here.