I’m sure this has been previously addressed, but:
Is there any actual point to the “Friends” function on this board, or is it just something that came with the software that can be used as a minor form of validation but otherwise conveys no particular benefits, special access or privileges? I mean, it’s lovely that the odd person [sic] wants to be my “friend” but mutual messageboard friendship doesn’t appear to change anything in terms of how the messageboard works.
As far as I can tell, it’s utterly meaningless in any tangible way.
I’ve been refusing to use it or respond to friend requests because it’s basically insulting in the way it’s currently set up. Just another example of how the boards could have been made into something more back when that might have made a difference, but blew the opportunity.
I should add that I’m not saying that it should or shouldn’t do something. I was just wondering if it already did and I just hadn’t noticed.
I’m agreeing that it seems to do nothing and that if it does anything, anything at all, I’ve also missed it.
It could, but it’s not activated. I think what it does is send a Pm to all your friends.
They had to disable the feature. If you Friend someone and then put them on Ignore, the hamsters go into reverse and the universe returns to a point singularity.
Regards,
Shodan
The first Sunday in August my friends all come over and hang out for the day.
Very few people do this, but you can set up your profile so that some things can be seen by everyone and others only by people you are friends with.
Other than that, it’s mostly just the warm fuzzies you get from having a friend.
It helps you keep your friends close.
Now if we only had an Enemies function. Oh wait, that’s the Ignore feature.
Isn’t that supposed to be the beauty of it?
It allows me to send out some token friend requests any time someone starts an ATMB thread about the feature.
Except in the case of Kayaker.
Is that weekly or just every month? 
¡kopek, mi amigo!
I belong to an exclusive, difficult to join club known as Friends Of Idle Thoughts, and my life hasn’t been the same since I was asked to join. 
Asked? You weren’t paid, then?
I think the ones who get paid get a title that’s different from “friend”. 
And then only blow remains on the list? 
There’s also an option to restrict PMs to only be from Contacts and Friends.
What’s a Contact? I’ve never used it, but I believe it’s basically a bookmark for a particular user’s profile, making it easier to contact them. And it has the same effect as being a friend, other than sending them a request that has to be accepted.
You say that like it’s a bad thing.
Well I’m thrilled to be your token friend.
I’ve hit up several of mine for a loan. Sold some swampland to a couple of others.
I suppose I have about 4 or so on my friends list (after 20 years here that says a lot!) It just signifies to me - and hopefully them- that we are genuine friends. They’re probably all dead though.