Virtual reference services : ideas for meditation

When i started to write an article on such an outdated topic for US or European libraries, but still very actual and hot - for Russia, I would never supposed that lots of ordinary and unnecessary for the first sight issues would occur, for example:

• are chat and IM equal services regarding virtual reference (VR), or 2 separate things one must clearly distinguish:
• can an Internet-conferences be used as VR tool and in what way;
• can self-help reference be regarded as VR and why;
• what are the advantages and disadvantages of co-browsing, web-push and escorting;
• what are the benefits of VR for patrons, libraries and universities

And - the most important - what is virtual reference in my own perception.

If you have some thought on these issues - I'm waiting for your e-mails, IMs and comments.