A nice (if possibly a bit biased when you see the guy's background) study has shown that online communities actually boost our socialising skills. So 'hooray', looks like we're going to finally be able to throw off the 'loser' and 'geek' tags :).
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_2010000/2010672.stm

Next time you see a study that suggests that people who spend time online are more vulnerable to unhappiness and loneliness, just ask if the research is showing cause or effect.

Hmmm very interesting study. And as you say finally a research that is on our side :heh:

yeh, my best friends are a bunch pixelated gems and avatars. :notreal: