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I have met a lot of people that I first knew online (either via IM, a forum or whatever). I'm almost embarrassed to admit it, but I even went on a date with someone I "met" on Myspace (nothing came of it).
As Sarah mentioned, it's entirely possible to make new friends through the online world that later become real world friends, but it's probably the exception to the rule.
As for dating, I would personally recommend not going the "Myspace" route. In my opinion, it's better to live well in the real world, and expand your circle of friends through those contacts.
My girlfriend Lynn and I met kayaking in La Jolla, for example. As it happens, the kayaking group organized the excursion online, but it wasn't an online relationship.
Why do I recommend developing relationships in the real world? Mainly because you can learn so much more about the other person when you're actually meeting face-to-face. Online, it's too easy for people to create a personae that's attractive. Not that they're being dishonest, necessarily. Just that you only see what they want you to see.
You could argue that the same is true in the real world, but I personally think it's easier to spot the "posers."
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