GET READY FOR decades of Icelandic fireworks. Steven Den Beste emails that the problems with transatlantic flights will boost teleconferencing. Could be — and, really, that’s a boost that should happen. Not long ago I spoke to a bunch of environmental lawyers in Nashville via Skype, and it went pretty well, right from my basement. To speak in person would have blown a day of my schedule, entailed nearly 400 miles of driving and 14 or 15 gallons of gas, and cost them money for my expenses. This was fast and free. Not as good as being there in person, but close, and with many benefits.

UPDATE: What about iChat? It’s superior, in my opinion, but there has to be a Mac at the other end.