What Is A Zoom Room?

One organization I belong to has set up a variety of social and educational programs via zoom.  A Facebook group is recommending using zoom as a means of maintaining social connections during this time.  Does one need an app to access zoom?  The only such app I can find on my app store if for windows based tablets to connect to a host computer.  Can one initiate a zoom room meeting, if so, how?  


It's a service that requires having an account with them.  You download an app for your computer, and can join a video conference set up by a host (the person with the account).

Here's their website: https://zoom.us/


joan_crystal said:

One organization I belong to has set up a variety of social and educational programs via zoom.  A Facebook group is recommending using zoom as a means of maintaining social connections during this time.  Does one need an app to access zoom?  The only such app I can find on my app store if for windows based tablets to connect to a host computer.  Can one initiate a zoom room meeting, if so, how?  

 Joan, we have tech help available.  Email me and I will connect you.


max_weisenfeld said:

 Joan, we have tech help available.  Email me and I will connect you.

 Thank you.  Zoom links on your email worked.  This is more of a general query since I had never heard of zoom before..


For reference, you only need a paid account to host a Zoom meeting.

But you don't need a paid account to attend a Zoom meeting someone else is hosting. To attend, you only need an invitation link from the host. You click that invitation link to join the meeting (it may prompt you to download / run the Zoom software).


I was invited to a Zoom meeting. I found it very simple to access from my lap top.  And I am far from being tech savvy. 


sprout said:

For reference, you only need a paid account to host a Zoom meeting.

But you don't need a paid account to attend a Zoom meeting someone else is hosting. To attend, you only need an invitation link from the host. You click that invitation link to join the meeting (it may prompt you to download / run the Zoom software).

 Sprout:

Thank you.  That is exactly the answer I was looking for.


joan_crystal said:

 Sprout:

Thank you.  That is exactly the answer I was looking for.

 Actually on a free account you can host meetings, with a time limit of 45 minutes 


How do you host meetings without the zoom account?


joan_crystal said:

How do you host meetings without the zoom account?

 You can set up an account for free.  There are limits to the number of people you can have in your meeting and a time limit per meeting (40 minutes) and you cannot use some of the advanced features but you can create, schedule, and host meetings easily if you want.


Joan,

I think you would go here and click on "Sign up, It's Free":

https://zoom.us/pricing


We use paid Zoom for long work meetings. 

Tonight, a group of parents I'm in touch with online had a meetup on free Zoom. It's easy to join and use. The only hitch, as mentioned above, is that there's a time limit. (That may be a good thing.)

My tips: If you have more than five or six people in the meeting, locate the grid-shape icon in the upper right hand corner and select "Gallery View." That way you see members in a Brady Bunch-like array and the person speaking is highlighted but does not dominate the screen. 

Even more important, make everybody click on MUTE! The feedback that comes from lots of open mics can defeat a meeting.

Finally, there's a way to open a group chat on the right hand side of the screen. (There's a button in the bottom of the Zoom screen). Members can type to one another while someone is speaking, or raise questions, etc.


sprout said:

Joan,

I think you would go here and click on "Sign up, It's Free":

https://zoom.us/pricing

 Thank you so much.  This may be a good way to help keep those of us with internet access socialized during this period.


Had a virtual happy hour with some college friends via Zoom last night.  Lots of good conversation across 3 time zones and no need for a designated driver.  Highly recommended!  


Seems to me they have an opportunity to add a low cost subscription plan. One that allows longer meetings without some of the business-related features like meeting recording. 

The nice thing about this service is that it seems that you don't have to have everyone with a zoom account. It's not like Facebook Messenger or Google Hangouts where people have to have  a specific  account.


I just created an account.  Super easy!  Thank you.


My office is having a Zoom virtual happy hour today


One interesting thing I read yesterday. People are using Zoom for happy hours but sharing the information publicly on social media. The idea is to get a bunch of people together like you might meet in a bar.

Because the information is public some jerks are logging in to such meetings and streaming offensive content. Like really gross porn. The meeting owner can kick them off but they can log right back in.

I don't know how often this is happening, but it's a good lesson on how to keep the trolls out. Keep the meeting information private and don't share it somewhere where anyone can see it.


I tried my first zoom meeting this morning.  About 20 participants in the meeting.  I did not know the etiquette of how to speak during the meeting, so I just listened.  Some participants were easier to hear/understand than others since lots of first timers were getting used speaking into their microphone.  I think zoom would work best for small groups if social conversation is the primary aim.  If aim is to disseminate information, larger group is fine.



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