Predictive text software developer Tegic and love author John Gray offer the top-ten tips to help ensure a successful union of texting and dating in 2006.

It's no secret that text messaging is on the rise. In fact, even texting to share amorous thoughts is on the upswing, according to the first annual T9 Texting Outlook Survey. Sixty percent of those who sent text messages have sent one to tell someone they love them or miss them.

Meanwhile, 27 percent have sent a flirtatious text message and 26 percent have used cell phone text messaging to say Happy Valentine's Day. Seven percent have even sent a text message to ask someone out on a date.

Given the rise in text messaging, which is now used for breaking up, making up and for asking out dates, Tegic and John Gray offer the texting tips below to help ensure successful coupling in 2006.

DO reply to a text message in a timely manner. No one wants to press "send" only to be left waiting for a reply.

DON'T read too much into whether he hasn't signed off with X's and O's for kisses and hugs.

DO carefully consider the effect your text message is going to have on the reader. Send a note that will put a smile on her face, not leave her wondering why she gave you her number in the first place.

DON'T overuse emoticons, such as smileys, and text speak, and make sure the recipient knows what you mean. You don't want to scare off a potential date who thinks you mean lots of love rather than laugh out loud when you type LOL.

DO wait until at least the third date before you engage in intimate texts.

DON'T assume he is awake and sober just because you are. If you receive an outlandish reply at 3 in the morning or no reply at all, wait 12 hours.

DO flirt and send love letters via text. But be careful about sending texts that you wouldn't want read by anyone else.

DON'T read too much into failure to reply right away to your text message. However, if you've texted three times without a reply, it may be time to move on.

DO make sure you're sending a text message to the right person in your phone book. Imagine the discomfort upon learning you've sent hot and steamy love notes to your grandmother.

DON'T be a bad speller. It makes less of an impact on the intended to learn that you want to kips rather than kiss them.

"Sending a text is a great way to get to know someone better and to let them know you are thinking of them. Text messages are an informal and fun way of communicating," said Dr. Gray.

T9 predictive text software anticipates the word that a user is entering as they press a key just once for each letter. For example, keying love requires just four keystrokes (5-6-8-3) instead of eleven when tapping out letters individually. And Valentine can be reached in only nine steps.

T9 text input software is available in over fifty languages.

Tegic provides enabling software for mobile data services.