ZOOM

I think that anonymity can be preserved by telling participants (by PM) the Meeting Code and Password
notnecessarily (Please pick a more concise name!)
That sounds like hard work! I was thinking more of me being a client, not a host.
Do you think there would be a future for GNHQ to canvas for members' existing Zoom groups. particularly during these lock downs and even after when many people would be nervous of returning to "normal" gatherings.?
Some "meet-ups", for example!?
OoRoo

blimey, she's deteriorated a lot since we saw her last
Notnecessarily etc. They wouldn't say that, would they?
Btw; your tongue is still in your cheek!
No! they're more likely to say that you've aged gracefully and still very clever knowing all about ZOOM!
Good Health

@Doodledog - well done! You'll be helping others out now!

@grannyactivist - I, too, would love to hear any tips about how to appear to best advantage online. I want friends and family to be thinking "it'll be so nice to see her in person once this is over" rather than "blimey, she's deteriorated a lot since we saw her last".

This has been such a helpful thread.

A friend and myself are venturing out on our first zoom venture next week, when the music session usually held in our local pub is going through to around 25 participants homes instead.

It's been an uphill struggle muddling our way through this, as neither of us have used zoom before, but determination has been a huge factor. It's going to be hard to get everyone to mute as we're all used to joining in and harmonising when others sing. I like the idea of everyone bringing a bottle, tinny or mug of tea with them....

I did it!

The meeting was brought forward to this afternoon, and I was appalled at first, but there was no time to think about it, so in I went . After the first few minutes it was ok.

Thanks for the offer, notnecessarilywiser. I would have taken you up on it, but it all happened so quickly that I didn't get the chance. grannyactivist, any tips on how to look less like something out of the Walking Dead would be gratefully received, as I'll be doing them more often now.

just if you want to host one
Purpledaffodil.; Thank you! We think the App. is now downloaded as the free version, which gives 2 of us unlimited time, but 40mins. when a third person joined.
I'm not looking to host anything! . not having a clue about Brexit or UK politics, beyond Boris, but not afraid to disclose one of my email addresses if that's all it takes!
Time-zones wouldn't be a problem.; your mid-day is 9.00pm here. Noted that it's now 12.45 am May Day and I"m still awake , (just)
Continue later today!
Good Health

Just another thought . You don’t need to download the App to enter a meeting, just if you want to host one. The free version allows I think 6 participants. More than that requires the paid for version. People do voice Chinese involvement security concerns but I noticed Parliament is using it for PMQ.

Rufus2 - I think that anonymity can be preserved by telling participants (by PM) the Meeting Code and Password, along with the time of the meeting. Obviously you'd have to specify whether you're talking Antipodean or UK time.

When I referred to a dummy meeting, I actually meant a real meeting but setting it up purely for the purpose of Doodledog seeing for herself where the various controls are on screen and to be a bit familiar with the setup prior to her work meeting tomorrow.

Let me know if you want any further help. I'm no tech wizard, but do participate in several Zoom groups.

If you want a practice run, by all means PM me and I can set up a dummy meeting between the two of us so that you can explore
notneccessarily Thank you for your very useful message! All things are easy "when you know how"!
What exactly do you do to set up the dummy meeting? Is it limited to one-on-one, or several? I'm still on struggle street although we did manage to attain a group of three to-day! I got bogged down when it was suggested Google Chrome was a preferred browser instead of Firefox, but overcame that eventually!
GNHQ said go ahead and set up a group, which would be a bit ironic with me here in OZ hosting a mainly UK based group, but then pointed out every one desires anonymity, so web addresses would be out.
What I would like, purely for the sake of technical "research," would be an "invite", but meanwhile we are working towards creating a system for us "oldies" to meet on line as school is out! [
Weather is now straight from Antarctica, freezing 12C with several more days of the same to come! Ideal for lockdowns!.
Thank you and Good Health!
OoRoo

Yesterday I took part in a church leader's meeting courtesy of Zoom in one room whilst my husband was also holding a Zoom team briefing in another. It's a good platform for business meetings because participants can be muted by the host so that people are not talking over or interrupting one another and individuals can join or leave without too much disruption. We also use it for whole family get-togethers and my husband and sons regularly play a game of Perudo via Zoom.

I have discovered (during research for my mother-in-law who hates seeing herself on screen) how to use lighting and camera angles to improve presentation and can't believe what lies a camera tells! I'd heard tell of actresses using only certain camera angles, but am genuinely quite shocked at how images, even those taken at home, can be so easily manipulated.

Thank you, notnecessarilywiser! That is really helpful.

I’ll have a proper look tomorrow (I’m in bed now), and see if I can find my way around.

Doodledog - if you've been sent a link, click on that shortly before the meeting is due to start. Zoom will open a window, and there'll then be a little box asking if you want to open Zoom. Click on Yes (or Open, I can't remember what the wording is).

Then, you're likely to have a response that you're waiting to enter the meeting. During this time, you can check that your microphone and speakers are working - there's another little box that offers you this test, but don't worry if you'd sooner not bother with a test.

When the meeting is officially opened, your picture appears on your screen, with the option to join the meeting with Video - click Yes to this and there you go! You can make the image full screen by clicking on the Full Screen icon which is top right on a laptop. Check that you can be heard by the other participants - if not, you need to unmute yourself. The mute/unmute icon is bottom left on a laptop.

Hope this works! If you want a practice run, by all means PM me and I can set up a dummy meeting between the two of us so that you can explore.

This is a timely thread for me. I am supposed to join in a zoom thing on Friday, but have never used it before. I was sent a link to the meeting, and have set up the app on my computer.

Do I just have to click on the link at the pre-arranged time, and talk, or will something happen first? Does anyone have any tips? It's a work thing, and I don't want to make a fool of myself if I can help it.

Seven of us who used to work together meet up for lunch regularly. Obviously we are unable to at the moment so have decided to have zoom meetings. My daughter helped me to set it up today. I had my I pad and was on video messenger with her on my mobile. I ended up rather confused and I suspect she is now lying in a darkened room. We did have a ‘trial zoom’ which started badly because she couldn’t hear me.

Lully, I’m rubbish at most subjects. Why would I want to clutter up my brain with who was in what, where and when.
I find it difficult enough to remember how to get up in the mornings!

I’m usually last. Especially when it’s mixed ages. The young speak a different language?.

What is the top number in a zoom meeting? We would soon fill the screen with us lot.

pamela wouldn't have thought there would be quiz security problems. I enjoy a quiz but questions can be subjective. No idea about celebs or sport sadly.

Good morning Rufus, it’s a family thing and we do it at about 5pm. Bit early or late for you. I’ll ask a friend or two if they are interested in doing one at about 10am our time. I haven’t organised one though, I’m terrified of the B*** thing. I’m always muting when I’m not supposed to.

two of our quizzers are in the forces
Pam What's this then? Can I join? You can have my email address with pleasure!
No hang-ups over anonymity here!
OoRoo

LullyDully, two of our quizzers are in the forces. They seem to think it’s OK. I’ll ask them.
Can’t think the Chinese would gain much insight from our quiz nights.
In fact, think it may lull them into a false sense of security!

The best laid schemes o' mice and men/Gang aft agley, etc

However there would be nothing to stop you pm’ing a group of members, ensuring they have installed Zoom, and setting up a meeting yourself
Maw You and GNHQ think alike!
Their answer was as yours except for a caveat to remember that members are here for its anonymity, which rather hamstrings the whole idea. As I understand it, the "host" requires "clients" to supply email addresses in order to notify of a meeting. This would be no problem for a close-knit group such as family, book-clubs, church groups etc but no-go for an open forum such as ours.
Would anonymous email addresses, such as Gmail get round that? Bit of a pain!
Could be useful for GN "meet-ups" though! I'd love to be invited to one of those, I think!
I'd wear my rubber bank-robber face mask to preserve my anonymity and before anyone says it, yes, it would improve my outlook on life!
Good Health
Cheers

We do Zoom but find it off putting watching myself on screen, if I am honest. My son is in the military and he can't use it because it is Chinese, so not secure for him.

Thank you all for you comments! Obviously there are a few hurdles to jump; as for time zones, it's now early Wednesday and my brain (I think that's what it's called!) is still racing; plenty to sleep on!
GNHQ was canvassing for new ideas recently; I'll ask later today whether GN is interesting in setting up a Zoom group; they must be tech. savvy for sure!
Good Health

I have lots of Zoom Meetings, including music sessions, where one person leads the tune and the rest of us mute ourselves and play along at home. Means my duff notes don't get heard!

We also do WhatsApp video chats with friends and relatives at home and abroad.

We’ve been doing zoom quizzes with the family and we are having a chat tonight.
DD in Sydney doesn’t get a look in, she’ll be in bed. We find we know the answer to many more questions with a glass of wine so mornings aren’t good for us!

It was my turn to do the questions last week, and we ran out of time. Lewi said he’d book another session.
I didn’t know you could do it immediately and presumed we’d finish the next eve, or whenever. So off I went to cut up some rhubarb! They had to ring me and tell me to get back on??