Could someone summarize what is a "virtual coworking" or "accountability partner"? I don't really understand the concept. Is it about having a video chat with a person who is watching you work?
I don't think a simple description will cut it; the idea is that with co-working, you meet up (physically) at some space, and all work on your projects. The simple fact of not being at your home and in the presence of other people with work to do helps a lot with productivity, even if you don't speak at all. This, I understand, is an attempt to virtualize this effect.
It may seem a bit silly but I honestly dig it, I have immense trouble getting myself to work at home, but co-working I can get into flow for hours at a time. I think that this sort of virtual co-workers might just work, because I think I'd feel really weird if I went all the trouble to set up a session, "meet" with someone and then just browse HN for 50 minutes. I'd be much more likely to feel "indebted" to the other guy's time, even though we have no professional relationship as such.
No, you both do your own work and mostly ignore the other person. At the beginning you talk about what you plan to accomplish, and at the end you review what you did.
