Any advice for dating friends?

I suppose this is a two part question. I am used to giving out dating advice but seem to have trouble taking my own.I would really like to date my friend. The problem is just that, we are friends. Not very close friends, but a friendship I would hate to loose.If someone asked me this dilemma I would say,You have to make a choice. Either ask them out and run the risk of possibly losing your friendship by making things awkward or continue to remain only friends. It depends on how much you like them.If anyone has ever been in this situation, how did you handle it? How did it work out for you? What would you have done differently? If she said no, were you still able to be friends with out ruining the friendship?

I would from personal experience say DONT DO IT. It's worse to actually date them than be rejected by them. Sex always complicates things.That said it's a personal decision that you need to way out on your own. But seriously it can make things awkward within your circle of friends...Just think is it Really worth it?