>While we're on the subject. What are the limitations for setting up more informal "un-scheduled" conferences?
>
>So that someone like Vlad can participate.

Just advise the people you would like to have in your conference. You can start a conference at anytime. Yes, it's true that we have one main conference each Friday and a small one each Tuesday morning, but a conference can be started anytime. You can also use the list of people online to send private messages when you would like to invite someone to join you. But, the best, is to scheduled something by email. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with the regular scheduled conferences.