SERIOUS responses to Xpanda's lead post begin HERE...I'm reading posts and replying in order.
1) Decline the next few invitations with honest answer that "I have other plans with some other friends".
This could be your "cyber" friends or true face2face gatherings.
After several such courteous declinations, he'll either desist or ask, "What's up, I thought we had something going?"
To which you can then reply with the, "Sure I've enjoyed going out and when our schedules match in coming months, I'd be happy to hang out with you again...But right now I'm just jammed."
The phrase, "hanging out with you" is a great one because that's what FRIENDS say, but not what Lovers or potential lovers say.
Presuming the guy is not a social moron, he's bound to connect a series of declined invitations over a month or more with maybe a single "happy hour" type 'date' to "hang out" for a while (followed by, "Well, it was good to see you again, I've got to go complete a writing project") as a strong message that you and he are not remotely exclusive or that there is any desire on your part to go that way.
The "happy hour" date is another good move because it happens early (6-8pm...drinks and appetizers).
More serious or intimate couples don't end dates at 8pm. So your prearranged departure ("Sure, I'd be glad to hang out with you for a couple drinks and a bite so we can catch up a bit, but then I've got to get going by 8. I hope that's cool") further helps deliver a message of "I like you as a social friend, but you and I aren't going to be a Couple".
IF I WERE SINGLE, I'D BE THE BOMB....heh
But I keep getting into 10+ year relationships, so all my advice is theoretical....Caveat emptor