still pretty new so I hope I'm in the right section

I was having a talk with a mate the other day over an online chat program, and she pointed out that I come across and being so much shyer online! I thought about it for a little because normally people always say how much easier it is to communicate online rather then face to face or on the tele.

I realized I am shyer online, I come across as much more confident and secure in real life. I thought it was a little odd and a funny thing, because it should be easier to speak to people online maybe it's because I don't really know how people make friends online (sit in chat? run across people on forums?) and in the real world, it's just easier to come across people.

none the less, I feel like a duffer because in chat and on the forums I've had to push myself to talk I don't know how to make friends online and I think it makes me come across as awfully foolish!

so, how do you make friends online?

best wishes to all