In a site where so many people from distant lands are meeting, it is a controversial question. That is partially why I like it. :)

I personally think that it might be easier to talk to people you don't know that are far away because they do not know you personally and can do little more than tell you THEIR opinion and maybe block you from talking to them. Many times they just listen and support. So I believe that there are benefits from having a long-distance relationship. However, I also think that unless the two people have a strong desire to be together in the future, rather than just leaving the relationship to be through IMs and emails, it is more of a very open friendship than anything else. I believe it would be easier to be friends with someone over the seas, but nearly impossible to be lovers.