The friendships made here are based on common interest and how people express themselves in writing. In meatspace, we often begin (or don't begin) relationships based on what people look like - what clothes they wear, how big or small they are, their age, color, hair style, or good-lookingness. Appearance, even for those of us who know better, still has something to do with whether you chose to strike up a first conversation.

Of course, there are a whole lot of things you can't do with a cyberspace friend, mostly involving being in the same place. No hugs, no baking cookies together, no hanging around together.

I've noticed this, and other people have said the same thing to me - no Mudcatter I've met in person has been different than their on-line persona. I've gotten to know people better, because talking is a lot more efficient than typing, but my basic feelings about people have remained the same.