Lets face it, the Internet is here to stay and you can make a god connection anywhere, right?  I've found in a work evironment, that after you make the adjustment, you can inspire and encourage people.  Who knows, maybe even better.  I know some very smart people who only communicate this way because its what they feel most comfortable with.  So why not AA?  I think the future of sponsoring, will include online communication, and it might even end up being the preferred way to sponsor or be sponsored, by some people.  I'm not sure early in sobriety, that its ideal.  In fact, my instincts are that it is not.  You don't want to encourage isolation, but in terms of a "tool", it could prove to be a very powerful way to reach and influence more people.