Community Chat

[Squirt60]

i have to do a Zoom meeting next Friday but I am not good with computers. Can someone please explain how to do this? Do I need to download something on my laptop? Do I just go to Zoom website and login that way? 

Thank you you for any help you can give me. 

[Harpa]

Are you hosting the meeting?

But yes, you need to download Zoom. There is a free version, which will allow you to attend (or even host) a Zoom meeting.

I suggest you peruse the on-line tutorials.

zoom.us

To add: If someone else is the host, they will send you a link to click on in order to join the meeting. But you do need the Zoom app.

[PA Mom-mom]

@Squirt60  The meeting organizer should send you instructions on downloading Zoom and connecting to the meeting. If you don't get anything, you should contact the meeting organizer.

[Squirt60]

No, I am not hosting the meeting. 

[Jaspersmom]

The host will send out an invitation with a link.  About five or so minutes before the meeting, click on the highlighted link and you'll be taken to zoom  The host will let you into the meeting.  You may have to hit audio and video on your computer so the others can hear and see you. 

[gizmogal]

I went to Google and entered "how to get started with Zoom". Many good answers. 

https://zoom.us/docs/doc/Education%20Guide%20-%20Getting%20Started%20on%20Zoom.pdf

 
https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/categories/200101697-Getting-Started?mobile_site=true

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide-for-new-users

do the same search on YouTube if you'd prefer to prep with video how-to.  Get right on it. Learn in advance. It won't be hard to pick up the basics.

 You want to be confident and familiar before your first meeting. There's a lot of tolerance for newbies, but it wastes everyone's time to keep fumbling and needing help during the meeting.

I hope it's reassuring for me to tell you it is way easier than you think. Read or watch a couple of tutorials and you will do great. Wear nice clothes in front of your computer camera. Take a look behind you at what your meeting colleagues will be seeing!  Pick a place to set up not showing a distracting or unusual background. Discretely put a glass or water bottle nearby so you can get a sip while you're listening. Don't chew at all!  Smile. People mostly will all be relaxed; you should, too. 

Come back and let us know how it goes. You're a champ!

[jlkz]

@Squirt60 

Similar to FaceTime, be careful what can be seen on the screen....too much stuff displayed, disorganized mess, etc. can be distracting and it also is a reflection on you.

if you wear makeup, don't overdo it.

Keep clothing simple...no prints that can get distort or be hard on the eyes.  Neutral colors.

place your device in such a way that you are slightly looking up at the screen.

close door(s) to the room you are so no interruptions,  visual or sound wise.  Adjust the volume on your device so you can be heard / they can be heard.

have desk surface cleared of all distractions: keep paper and working pen(s) close by.

at first instance where you can't see or hear someone, ask for assistance.  If you know someone who will be on the call, talk with them before the meeting so they will be alert if you need them.

i did my first Zoom call a few weeks ago and my first Face Time call months ago.  Keep it simple and you will be fine.

[Jaspersmom]

I'm actually hosting a meeting in about ten meetings for my colleagues at the college where I work.  We meet weekly.  Easy peasy after you do it once.  See my last post for the very simple instructions.  You really don't need to know much more.  It's the host that does all the work - LOL.

[KLm]

@Squirt60  I did a zoom session with my doctor early in the covid outbreak. I downloaded the app onto my laptop (microsoft). My laptop camera is usually disabled so I had to enble that as well.

She hosted the session, so I had to be at my laptop with zoom up and ready at the designated time. I initially had an issue with sound but that was quickly remedied. Zoom is more user friendly than it might appear.

I have done a lot of screen sharing sessions with tech support over the years, but this was different because I didn't go to a website and enter a code to join. The app took care of all that. Once my session was over, I removed the app from my computer.

[sandy53]

Here are some suggestions--- 

Keep yourself on mute until you are ready to talk.  That way your background noise isn't a distraction.

If you are using a laptop or tablet, lift it up.  I put my laptop on 3 boxes that hold children's board games (Memory, Chutes and Ladders, and Candy Land!!).  Make sure you are looking directly at the screen.  You shouldn't be looking at your neck and under your chin.  You should not see your ceiling behind you. 

Smile and look like you are enjoying yourself!