>In the real world, when you are talking to someone, you are exchanging ideas but also getting to know them as a person. I've seen very personal exchanges take

>In the real world, when you are talking to someone, you are exchanging ideas but also getting to know them as a person. I've seen very personal exchanges take place on Stack Overflow. A user new to everything, a veteran with some spare time - they exchange comments and learn about each other. In some cases they exchange contact information- I'm not privy to what happens after that Mind you, almost ALL of SO is devoid of that connection - but it still happens.