Zoom 101

It’s our new lifeline in the pandemic. Everyone’s using Zoom now to visit with friends and family, go to meetings and take courses. Here are some tips for getting the most out of it:

• You need a camera and microphone. Most newer computers have them built-in. If you own an older computer that doesn’t have them, you can buy a webcam with a microphone and just plug it in. Be patient: a lot of them have been sold out everywhere since the pandemic began.
• You have to download the Zoom software, but you don’t need an account. When you get a Zoom invitation, just click on the link they send you, and you’re in.
• You can test your audio and video in advance at https://zoom.us/test.
• Try to put a light in front of you, behind your computer. But if there is a bright light on in the room behind you, for example, from a lamp, turn it off.
• Make sure your whole head shows on the screen.
• People can see the room behind you, so don’t leave a pile of laundry on the bed or a sink full of dishes.
• If you don’t like to look at yourself, just don’t! When other people are talking, look at them. When you are talking, look at the little camera light. People watching you will think you’re looking right at them.
• If you really don’t like to look at yourself, then once a session starts, look for Video below the live screen. Click on the up-arrow, then Video settings, then Touch up my appearance. It gives you a softened, airbrushed look.
• Watch the time. If there are only two of you, you can go on talking for as long as you want. If there are three or more, you get just 40 minutes for free.
• Zoom gobbles up a lot of your internet usage. Watch the logs carefully to make sure you don’t go over your limit. You may have to upgrade your data package. You can check your usage in Windows 10 by going to Start > Settings > Network and internet > Data usage.
• If a group of you will be meeting regularly on Zoom and they want people to take turns hosting, say yes. You can do it, it’s no big deal. There are lots of tutorials, for example here and here.
• If you do host a meeting, don’t send the invitation too much in advance. The day before would be fine. That will save everybody from having to scroll back through days of emails, looking for the one with your instructions in it. Make it easy to find.