It is now possible to mention another forum member in a post and an instant email is sent to that person saying that you had mentioned them.
Just start typing @member's name. After the first few letters you will see the possible choices and then select the correct one.
They will get an instant email provided that their notifications are set so that they haven't suspended all email notifications. There is also a tick box in notifications under "Influence Notifications - when someone mentions you" which members can untick if they don't want to get such emails.
You won't get an email if you mention yourself.
Any similarities with Twitter are of course coincidental.