This morning I received an email message from somebody I know and have linked on Orkut saying something like:

I found out you that you are "friends" with...

mentioning somebody else I have in my "friends" list there.

I have already read on many other weblogs several discussion about the usage of the word "friend". Checking on Dictionary.com, here's the result:

1. A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.
2. A person whom one knows; an acquaintance.
3. A person with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause; a comrade.
4. One who supports, sympathizes with, or patronizes a group, cause, or movement: friends of the clean air movement.

So I guess that calling most of the people I'm linking to on Orkut and other services "friends" is okay, the most common definitions are not very strict. But I guess I'll keep using the term in quotes ;-)