I still check in here about once a week because of those reasons you mentioned Keth. I have met so many wonderful people through these games, I don't want to lose touch.
Interestingly, thanks to facebook, a lot of the people I met became even more "real", being able to see pictures and just snippets of their real lives.
I have a LOT of trouble remembering who is what handle on what board/game though, hence the reason for my signature.
And thanks to Verd, (I think, see above, LOL), I also see K (I think, see above, LOL) on Steam now.