Just my .02...I think o/l can work if you want it to, though I also believe both parties involved must be completely honest with the other. It is necessary to know if the relationship could ever turn into more. I agree with what others have said it is easy to hide behind a screen name or avatar , but when you choose to do so you are only truly hurting yourself. Trust must be earned whether it be o/l or in r/t. I am thankful for the Doms I have spoken with here. Having been with the same man for 17 years it helped greatly to get the opinion of someone on the "outside" so to speak and to explore the limits I would eventually set (though Ive found only a few).
I think it is all a very personal decision, but I can also tell you being from a very rural area sometimes o/l may be the only option some folks have.
However you choose to live ..do it well.