In one way you can get to know someone intimately through the net - in that it is easier to express inner thoughts when writing, than with talking over the phone - generally. You can stop, think, erase and re-write, (assuming one is writing honestly) and take the time to put your thoughts together. What's missing is, as y'all know, is knowing whether you and the other person can get along with each other, and have chemistry, and that of course is essential, but let's not be too harsh on the potential of the printed word for discovering what's inside the person at the other end in a way that's very revealing. Granted there's the power to deceive, as well.

-chanteyranger