Great topic. I've been really interested lately in the online/offline crossover. As much as people complain about the shallowness of online relationships, my professional contacts on social networks are often becoming in-person friends as I meet people at events and conferences. I think the interplay is fascinating and is going to change a lot over the next decade.

Good point, Pete. Bill DeRouchey and I met via common followers on Twitter, and have since truly become friends (we've got a little dirt on each other), and that is cool.

But it's how do you separate? Where do you draw the line? What happens when your boss wants to "friend" you in an online forum you're not comfortable with? How has social etiquette changed now that we've got online to contend with? (ie had a party, got thanked in-person, on twitter, facebook, evite, etc. Talk about etiquette overload!)

Looking forward to this one because it's changing a basic premise that touches society deeply. What does friendship mean in a world of ubiquitous computing? Curious to see what you guys come up with.

Hey, I think I'm on this! :)

A really important topic and something left out of many discussions about the social web. Increasingly important as the social web is embraced by businesses and the line between personal and business life fades. Looking forward to this panel.

All panelists are my friends. Some I met online first, others I met offline first. Where are the boundaries? Are these my 'borderline friends'? Great topic...

Another interesting angle on this subject is how these social networking tools can span many kinds of relationships. Kinda strange when I send a twitter that one message is seen by friends, vendors, customers employees, business contracts, my wife, mother, daughter, etc.

I do like the authenticity of it all, while much of the online world is anonymous, the diverse set of recipients requires me to be the same person regardless of the venue.

Agree with the comments, the idea of what makes a friend has totally changed. If I see one panel I'd like it to be this one, well and maybe Armano's or just this one with Armano.

Interesting topic.. online friends can be very useful if they offer something of value - say a recipe swap or good tips for travel, cooking, how tos... if the format is something you're passionate about it's a "club" so you're bound to have a more genuine experience.