virtual conferences (VC) are the way to go, however, it will require good internet connections for quality transmission. Although contact conference gives you feel and human touch kind of networking, VC come handy in times like this (coronavirus pandemic). It will be less expensive, anyone can login and access the conference proceedings, etc.

I think people need to become more disciplined, so that an exchange of ideas in a short time span can occur, without having to depend on real time presentations.

There is a problem with live conferences over the Internet, when the participants are all over the world. It is far too easy to "just say no," when you would have to participate at some very inconvenient time. So instead of expecting a tremendous audience of people, who usually have nothing to offer, you focus on the actual contributors, and have them respond. Others can be invited to join in, obviously, but the won't, usually.

This COVID-19 crisis might show just how wasteful we all are, even when we think we are "green." Most people attend conferences only because they like the paid vacation. They sit there passively, waiting for fun in the evening.

I think virtual conference would be a good option. Inexpensive. Feishu, available on Android and iOS could be helpful

youtube live is a good avenue...we should help each other to battle this pandemic...

Virtual conferences can be very practical, reducing travel costs and the only way to do things during this pandemic. Still, as Albert Manfredi points out, to get good interaction can really depend on scheduling and people's discipline. I was presenting at one virtual conference and they gave me 4:00 PM Pacific Time on a Friday - not a great a turn out, even for people in my own time zone! Still, virtual conference can somewhat work around this if they record the sessions and make them available for replay.

While it is pointed out that some people treat live conferences as vacation and I do like that part, I have found that some of the best learning and interaction can happen between sessions and in hallways. IETF used to talk about their bar BOFs, where work got done in more informal settings.

In Indian administrated Kashmir, people have no access to high speed internet since August 2019 and live conference is not possible for Kashmiri academicans.

Guys you can't believe life for Researcher is hell without High speed internet.

Jeff, the IETF is precisely what I had in mind!!

Also, Ab, the Internet was conceived exactly for this purpose: to support global research efforts. It is poetic justice, therefore, that it is showing its critical importance, during the pandemic.

Another small point. Our health care system, where I live, has just set up "virtual appointments" with doctors, nurses, and LPNs. Using such systems as Zoom, Skype, or even just the telephone. Obviously, this won't replace all doctor visits, but it can replace a high percentage of them. I have been working with colleagues from very distant places, for decades, over the Internet, and even using digital systems that came before the Internet. It's quite doable.

I like how this event solved the situation.

http://www.icwip.org/

Special Message！The conference organising committees is aware of the current developments regarding the novel coronavirus and we understand that some participants are now facing travel restrictions and may have to either cancel their participation. Therefore the option to do remote presentation is offered to encourage participants to continue with their presentations virtually by online conference, video conference (Skype, etc.) Please note online presentation session will be arranged during the conference. We welcome your participation! (Read more) Subsequently, for a safer conference environment, the organizer will actively take protective measures such as, to remind every participant to wear the mask during the conference, take every participant's temperature before they enter and provide alcohol-based hand rub during the conference, etc.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic that causes Covid-19 disease has accelerated the processes of digitization and internetisation of teaching in universities and schools, as well as remote conducting of conferences via the Internet, i.e. in the form of videoconferencing. I think that this is a good form replacing the traditionally taught classes and conferences conducted on a stationary basis. Of course, the remote online form does not provide all the functions and possibilities of traditional forms, but the jaoo substitute form can at least partially perform important functions and, above all, ensures continuity of educational processes conducted through e-learning and the promotion of scientific research results through remote conferences organized and conducted. In connection with the above, currently (March - April 2020) in connection with the development of the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus pandemic, full-time teaching classes at schools and universities have now been suspended and replaced by e-learning in many countries. Due to the suspension of stationary didactic classes in schools and colleges, classes are conducted remotely, through various new online media through specific forms of e-learning. In addition, the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus pandemic has limited the ability to conduct conferences in the traditional form, i.e. in conference rooms with the participation of many people. The traditional formula is replaced by videoconferences conducted on the Internet, which unfortunately do not offer the same possibilities as traditional ones, but allow real-time exchange of experiences, conducting discussions, discussing specific presentations, etc. Organized Videoconferences are one of the many effects of currently accelerating processes of digitization of the economy, i.e. the increase in the use and implementation of ICT information technologies and online tools for remote communication processes carried out via the Internet. I believe that scientific conferences are an important factor in the development of science and exchange of experience from scientific research, the opportunity to present the results of research, conduct discussions and create international research teams. Unfortunately, at present, due to the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus pandemic, in many countries the possibilities of organizing scientific conferences and trips to international scientific conferences are very limited or practically impossible. In this situation, ICT and Internet information technologies can be particularly helpful now, thanks to which they can carry out videoconferences in a specific, but usually limited scope, i.e. remote conferences via the Internet through the use of specific, available applications and websites. Didactic processes conducted remotely via the Internet, i.e. mainly in the form of e-learning, as well as organized and remotely conducted videoconferences are an element of the currently accelerating processes of digitization and internetisation of the economy.

Regards,

Dariusz Prokopowicz

Sure! Virtual conferences are very useful and helpful.