Zoom - does anyone fancy having a go?

Hi all

I'm not very tech savvy but it seems that there's a new way to connect us all which is free and allows us to chat for a while and actually see each other ie ZOOM (I think).

Just wondered if anyone would like to share their experience with this and maybe then we could have a go at a set time every day? It might just help some people to feel less cut off.

Just a suggestion. Any thoughts?

L

[3LittleBirds2]

We do family bingo and a weekly quiz which we all take turns to host via Zoom. Great way to keep in touch and have some fun too..may even keep it going when lockdown is over!

[Hidden in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

That sounds great fun. Is it relatively easy to set up?

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, download the app and then you invite people to a meeting, they will then receive a link inviting them to join the meeting..of course though they will

Need to download the app as well. There’s also another app called Houseparty wheee you can see all

of you on your screen but we use zoom.

[KittyJ in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

You can see everyone on your screen at once too in Zoom, go to gallery view 😊

[3LittleBirds2 in reply to KittyJ]

Oh yes, of course. Can you tell I didn’t set it up! 😂 thanks

[medway-lady]

Yes easy we use it for family stuff and Parish Council meetings nowadays but needs thinking about; you need logins and invites so an administrator sets up then issues invites.

[Neonkittie17]

I’ve used it with my two best art friends who I know well and also my husband. I don’t mind them seeing me close up! You get approx 40 mins free then it gives you a warning it will cut off in another 5. Worked very well on my iphone but my MacBook laptop wouldn’t accept the code my friend emailed to me to invited me to the meeting, but on the phone it was fine. Would prefer it on the larger format though as then I could have had our three faces on together. The iPhone showed the person currently speaking and a tiny imagine top right of one other people in the group. There was a slight delay in the faces coming to screen when a different person spoke and it was a little slow, but it worked well and was great to chat with my friends as we can’t have our afternoon shopping and coffee/dinner day at the moment.

[Hidden]

Hi

I feel as though I'm missing out now!

I was going to try and use it on my laptop, which runs on Windows, as I've seen it used in adverts where everyone is visible on one screen. But maybe this is another kind of platform?! Like you, I think my iPhone screen will be too small.

But I have decided to try it out with a friend, as a starter for ten, to see how I get on. Hopefully it'll be quite easy and well worth the effort.

Many thanks for sharing your insights.

L

[HamHammy in reply to Hidden]

If it's just one pal I just use video call whatsapp but zoom more effective for more people

[Mmrr]

I use zoom with my family, but have recently joined a few national remote book festivals, listened to speakers, various lectures and all sorts. There is a lot going on if you look around.

[Hidden]

Hi

Many thanks for this tip. I'm learning a lot from this so I now need to look into WhatsApp too.

I'm beginning to wonder why NRAS don't use these platforms for interactive discussions or Survey Monkey type software for quick questionnaires.

I need to catch up with tech!

Anymore snippets of info would be great to hear.

L

[nomoreheels]

Well, I'm all set up, have been since my Rheumy review, so give me the thumbs up as & when.

[Cress]

Hello I work in a large University and although Zoom is used by some departments it is not supported by our IT department due to security issues. There have been cases where people have had their login credentials stolen and in some cases pornography has been embedded into it. (Please don't ask me how, I've no idea). We are encouraged to use Skype for Business or Blue Jeans but not sure if they are available for all. Hope this is helpful. Zoom seems great but be careful with passwords.

[Hidden]

Thanks Cress - it's good to know.

I have used Skype but had problems with delays - not sure why.

I guess being security aware has to be a priority.

L

[HamHammy]

Just to let you know I have been told by my employer not to use zoom for any work related chats. I think there are issues regarding access by unauthorised parties.