One...over the internet, you're a lot more free to talk about meaningful subjects, where in real life that would be considered too heavy or serious. You are also much more free to approach people. On an internet forum, if you think someone seems interesting, you can send them a PM asking if they'd like to talk. In real life, you'd be seen as very weird and unwholesome if you walked up to someone and asked 'Would you like to talk?'