This is the actual secret! First, give your local gm a blow job. Then spam between 300-2000 mets in twin city in a row and I'm sure that you will get a socket... sorry for the lame joke but the point is that TQ programmers are not as stupid as everybody makes them out to be. It is very likely that sockets are simply based on a random number generator which can be most easily be explained by saying that you need to upgrade your item at any given time and the seconds most be XX.076
This would make your odds 1/1000
But before you get any crazy ideas about finding out what exact micro second it is keep in mind this number might change Also, there might only be a 50percent possiblility that a socket will even be allowed in that particular second. This can be accoplished by using multiple number generators.
Also, I would like to note that its highly unlikely that TQ would implement something such as socket cords or socket times as it would require more programming and actually make their software more volnerable to cheats.
I would like to through this little self contridicting ditty out there though. During the easter quest green named monster rarly droped eggs but ass soon as you went to white named monsters they droped almost every kill. So if monster drops can be effected by the individual's level maybe other things can effect monster drops and sockets... for example hmm i don't know... IF YOU BUY DBS YOUR LUCK IS PROBABLY HIGHER OF MAKING A SOCKET!!!
How do I form this oppinion?
Well, lets see here most sockets occure in normal or refined gears and if you get a socket and you are a db buyer the first thing you are going to do is buy dbs to make it elite or super (if you don't plan on trying for second socket). Then buy dbs to get a super gem then dbs to compose this otherwise shity item into one of the best.
Personal experience...
I made 2 sockets. I purchased multiple db packs. And I don't mind supporting TQ so keep any flamming any of you might have to yourselves. However, I made the 2 sockets on a noob account that I just traded 30 mets too and I never credited dbs to this account. made both sockets within 5 minutes of each other with those 30 mets.
conclusion:
sockets are most likely totally random (even though its technically impossible)