In response to the many concerns and ideas raised on this list, we have created a working group to investigate the possibilities for online components to our conferences and figure out how to impliment what can be done in Chicago for 2005 and in the long term. Tracy Kennedy of the University of Toronto will be chairing this working group. The charge is this: _________________________________________________________ Charge to the Working Group on Online Components to AoIR Conferences: There is considerable interest in providing some form of online accompaniment to our physical conference in Chicago and in years to come. This working group is charged with: 1. Determining the audience or audiences for such an online system, taking into account the means of internet access they may have and any limitations they may have on access (e.g. slow connections, old processors, disabilities, etc). 2. Coordinating with AoIR's Conference Management Committee, and in particular Steve Jones the local host, to determine the *realistic* possibilities for integrating an online component into the event in 2005. 3. Proposing a specific plan for 2005 which includes an analysis of the expense and determines how that cost is to be covered and who will provide the labor to make it happen. 4. Determining a long range plan for developing online dimensions of the conference beyond 2005, with attention to cost and labor as above. Include specifications of what technologies a conference venue must have in order to impliment this plan 5. Following up after the 2005 conference to assess the success of what was done and modify future recommendations accordingly. __________________________________________________________ If you are interested in participating in this group, please subscribe to the working group discussion list by visiting this URL: http://listserv.aoir.org/listinfo.cgi/air-virtual-conf-wg-aoir.org Thank you in advance for your willingness to assist the association in this important matter. Nancy -- Nancy Baym http://www.ku.edu/home/nbaym Communication Studies, University of Kansas Bailey Hall, 1440 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 102, Lawrence, KS 66045-7574, USA Association of Internet Researchers: http://aoir.org