Do you make friends online for the sake of friendship?

Or do you make friends because that's one method of advancing yourself financially? There are a lot of social networking sites where pepople are joining just to advertise or make money with Adsense or other ads that can be used on the sites. Do you consider the friends you make at such sites to be friends or financial assets?

Over the years, I've gotten jobs, consulting contracts, and built my business through 'friends' online in forums & other networking type sites.

I've never participated thinking to derive a direct commercial benefit, but b/c I'm online a lot, it's worked out that participating has given me a financial benefit.

Friends I've made online, I've also had dinner with, lunch, etc.

The value of networking online is incredible. I don't consider online friendship a monetary asset, but sometimes, it does work out that way.

Anytime money is involved as a motivation, that's not good....I just enjoy meeting good people online that enjoy emailing fun or thought provoking things, not wanting to push any specific agenda.

I love making friends , thats why I join sites like these -- And I like to be helpful if I can