"Online social networks" is a fancy label for what most of us do through our various devices for computer-mediated communication: we connect with each other, and we form networks of connections that, for many, have become as relevant to our lives as our physical communities – in fact our online connections also become physical connections through face to face encounters, and our physical connections can become virtual. Virtual community, social software, and online social networks are the subjects of a conference hosted by Rheingold Associates and GroupJazz, and featuring Howard Rheingold, Lisa Kimball, Joi Ito, Caterina Fake, Jerry Michalski, Denham Grey, Scott Allen, Bryan Alexander, Mitch Ratcliffe, Chris Lang, Jock Gill, Adina Levin, yours truly, etc. The conference is online and mostly asynchronous (forum-based), and the cost to participate is only $35. [Link to the conference site.]