It seems the minute it turns into a conversation, there is a relationship developing. Prior to that it is somewhat voyeuristic since we are only listening in on someones thoughts and opinions. Relationships aren't always deep all encompassing affairs. - Dave Ploch

+1 Dave. Good Point - Kyle Lacy

For me, the definition of a personal relationship is when I come across something and think "X would love to see this!".It indicates that I've interacted with the person enough to have them on relatively available mental recall and that I think I know enough about them to have a decent idea of what they'd be interested in. - FFing Enigma (aka Tina)

+1 Tina - Kyle Lacy

Good points Dave and Tina. I will note: I do not treat my on line friends any differently than my offline friends. The only difference is how often they get to see me in person. And I have a suspicion that I am more available to my online friends ;) - Lindsey is Fierce!

The serendipity of being in the same place at the same time is always fun whether it is physical presence or on line presence. I get a buzz anytime it happens since it tends to enhance that relationship every time. There are certainly a number of folks who act VERY DIFFERENTLY when they are on line and semi-anonymous. - Dave Ploch

Hmmm . . . well said . . . however the same could be said of the internet. The chances that I have found certain people on the net also seems fortuitous and I wonder how I managed to bump into that person amongst all the asshats trolling teh interwebs ;) - Lindsey is Fierce!

The concept of connection is the same whether online or off. The question I have is whether or not you can reach the point of a "deep" relationship (however you would describe that) in an online environment. When do you stop and say, I would really like to get to know this person at a deeper level? Haha.. and I am not trying to say "romantically. - Kyle Lacy

It just depends on the kind of person you are. I have online friends that are dying to meet me, but in all honesty I'm not in any big hurry because I don't think anything will change fundamentally from me meeting them. - Lindsey is Fierce!

Why not test it out? You might be surprised.. ;-) - Kyle Lacy

I met my husband on a telnet BBS... in fact I met my previous (to husband) 2 boyfriends on a telnet BBS as well... so yeah, you can get close on the internet... even without pictures and nice CSS layouts. - Lindsay is :)

Well there you go Lindsay.. I rest my case.. were you looking for that with them? Or did it kind of turn into it? - Kyle Lacy

Hey! I take offense to being called a techhead. lol.. You aren't being a little over the top Gregory? Please explain "astral phenom." - Kyle Lacy