Chat? IM? Email? Phone?

[rkab]

I am kind of new to the whole online social thing, so bear with me...

So are there chat rooms that around where you can one-on-one chat with someone else for free?

I have IM, used IM, but do not really know anyone else who IMs so where do you find those interested in like minded subject matter?

I get that when you hook up with someone you can do all four, and email and phone are more 'intimate' options...

Thanks for any input, and if there is anyone interested in chatting, about anything really...