he agrees I consider you a friend but I don't know you in the physical plane.

it's quite pathetic to make a distinction between "real" and the web world....as though the people are fake or less important

I agree completely. Maybe even REALER friends as you met them based on interest. Many physical ones are a result of geographical location.

on the web you can hang with anyone you want so if you hang with someone ... They your friend!

well, sorta. I don't consider most people I know online as "friends"....but I certainly see them as real people, lol.