Microblogging the ISMB: A new approach to conference reporting

Abstract

Microblogging platforms and other tools for videos, podcasts, and virtual environments provide an untapped potential for science conferences. Our experiment using FriendFeed to cover ISMB 2008 was educational and surprisingly successful. We found that it enhanced our note-taking skills, allowed us to compile notes from parallel sessions, attracted wider interest from non-attendees, and, in addition to the "live" aspect, generated a permanent archive of the meeting. ISMB/ECCB 2009 will be held in Stockholm. We look forward to the new developments in Web usage by scientists that are sure to emerge between now and then. We also anticipate new and exciting ways to report from Stockholm as it happens; perhaps the ISMB/ECCB 2009 Web site will look something like this: http://www.bork.embl.de/,jensen/ismb2008/keynotes.php.html? © 2009 Saunders et al.