Virtual platforms

The following platforms will be used, with each serving a different purpose for the Congress. All can be used for free.

Zoom: Zoom is a videoconferencing platform that most of us have already been using quite frequently. Zoom works well with smaller interactive discussions, giving all participants the ability to be seen and heard. We will be using Zoom for workshops, tutorials, sandbox sessions, and networking events. Links for each event will be sent to Congress registrants. You can use Zoom in your browser or download the free app (recommended).

Gather: Gather.Town is a web-conferencing software like Zoom, but with the added component of seeing the virtual “room” you and others are occupying, and with the ability to move around and interact with other participants based on your locations in the room, just like real life. You can use Gather in your browser without downloading an app.

Slack: Slack is a text-based communication platform that can be used live or asynchronously. We will set up a BEACON Congress Slack workspace, and within that workspace we can create as many topical channels as we like. Slack works great for private or group chats and can be used for informal conversations, to ask presenters questions outside of their assigned presentation time, and to send announcements to all participants. After you register for the Congress, you will receive an invitation to join the Slack workspace. You can use Slack in your browser or download the free app (recommended).