What makes online conversations feel natural?

[mathanery]

Sometimes online conversations feel very natural and easy, while other times they feel forced or short. I've always wondered what causes this difference. I saw gayteam recently and started thinking about how people interact there. Is it the users, the topic, or just the mood of the platform that makes conversations flow better? In my experience, it usually depends on how open people are. If conversations feel relaxed, it becomes easier to continue. I'd like to know from others what makes online chats feel real instead of just basic replies.