I'd also say because of message boards we know each other in a very unique, and in some respects a more real way. When people are in social situations you have to think and do everything off the fly, which usually doesn't end result in an accurate expression of your thoughts. Here we can discuss what's on our mind, without fear of judgement for the most part, and think out what's going through our minds to convey the full spectrum of your thoughts and feelings.