Have I managed to be busy this week!
Yes my daily walks getting longer, today we mixed it up with a bike ride (and I overdid it). But thats not the main reason, you see i arranged to help a few people with IT ussues via the phone and online screen sharing, then to run an IT Group meeting where we expermented with 3 Video call options.
What were these options I hear you ask? well we tried Duo (AKA Google Duo), Skype and Zoom. It was a bit of fun and we worked out how to use them all.
Oh! You ask what are they? Well let me explain.
Google Duo
Google Duo is a simple video calling app that brings you face-to-face with all the people who matter most. Group call with up to 12 people. Simple, high quality video calls on Android phones, iPhones, tablets, computers, and Smart Displays like the Google Nest Hub Max.
It worked great for Phone or Tablet calls. If your an iPhone user its just like Facetime but you can call perple who do not us iPhones. (to those who did not know Apple Facetime is an Apple only thing i.e. only works on Apple devices)
Skype
I suppose most of us have heard of skype. Its been around a long time and is a great communiction tool. Skype provides Free online calls, messaging, affordable international calling to mobiles or landlines.
It also provides a great video chat app, group video calling for up to 50 people is available for free on just about any mobile device, tablet or computer.
Skype is now a Microsoft product so to use it you just need to have a free microsoft account. If you have a hotmail address, windows live email address, have a onedrive on a PC or a skype ID then you have a Microsoft Account (you just did not realise it)
Zoom
So who has not heard of Zoom recently. Seems to be all the rage with our shut in. Zoom has been around since 2011 and is primarily a enterprise targeted product. But they have a great FREE offering.
You see anyone can start a Zoom meeting, yes they need to create a free Zoom account to do so. But the thing that is great it only the person hosting the meeting needs an account. The Host just send an invite to people he oe she wants to attend, they follow the link and Bingo they are in the group Vidoe (or audio only if want). Great eah! yup thats why its taken off with this lock-in.
There have been some bad stories about Zoom recently, mostly due to bad eggs out there thinging its fun to anoy people.
Well this has mostly occured as all these new users just started using it without turning on the various security options.
So on Monday we will be having a ZOOM Club AGM! The meeting will be secured with a password! (which you will be sent) Also when you join the meeting you will start in what is like a virtual waiting room. The Meeting Convener will you you in the waiting room, and check you out! i.e. will check your allowed in the meeting and approve your entry into the meeting.
So you see its not so bad after all.
I’ll be sending out more information and will be making myself available to run test meetings. Just ask.
My photos of the week!
