Today's issue of PLos Computational Biology features a "Ten Simple Rules" editorial about the organization of virtual conferences in developing nations. The editorial was written by leaders of African Regional Student Groups and organizers of the First African Virtual Bioinformatics Conference 2009 (AFBIX09).

The editorial describes virtual conferences as a low-cost strategy for bringing educational and scientific events to students and scientists in African countries, who often have only very limited financial resources to attend conventional meetings. The authors discuss the practicalities of organizing a virtual conference with delegates who are located in different time zones and the technical challenges they faced. They also introduce the concept of "virtual hubs", which are local venues that provide the necessary technical equipment and act as place for delegates to interact beyond the virtual conference.

Nelson N. Gichora, Segun A. Fatumo, Mtakai V. Ngara, Noura Chelbat, Kavisha Ramdayal, Kenneth B. Opap, Geoffrey H. Siwo, Marion O. Adebiyi, Amina El Gonnouni, Denis Zofou, Amal A. M. Maurady, Ezekiel F. Adebiyi, Etienne P. de Villiers, Daniel K. Masiga, Jeffrey W. Bizzaro, Prashanth Suravajhala, Sheila C. Ommeh, and Winston Hide, "Ten Simple Rules for Organizing a Virtual Conference - Anywhere", PLoS Computational Biology 6(2), 2010.