Zoom is a freeware platform built for conducting virtual meetings, facilitating online classes and holding impromptu conversations. It proved a godsend during the abrupt shift to remote learning that took place in 2020 for educators and students alike. You can download it for free from the zoom.us, which means it will install on your phone, tablet, or desktop.
The only thing you’ll need to participate in a conference or meeting is the meeting ID, and if you have that, and decent internet connection, you’re good to go.
The software is incredibly easy to install on devices across a wide range of types. The company’s cloud meeting service can help with everything from facilitating remote work and online training sessions to simply having an online conversation with friends. This offers business owners a way to participate in social engagement and keep up with their company training schedule, without ever needing to be in person. It is also a common solution for private tutors and online educators.
To join an online class, just enter the meeting ID provided by your professor and click “join”.
If you have a camera and decide to join your lecture with a video, click on the camera symbol at the bottom. So, How Do You Actually Start A Video Meeting On Zoom? First you need to get the application installed and then create an account and join.
Once on the Zoom main page you’ll see the orange icon labeled “New Meeting.” click it and select “Start with Video” to start an instant meeting with a camera on. After signing up for Zoom you will see the camera button on the main page that looks something like this image: On the next screen you should see a button near the bottom labeled “invite”, just click on that button. Depending on the device you are using, you may have options that pop up like, middle option to send a meeting link using email.
If you’d like to send the link over text to friends via message, just tap on the copy link option near the bottom.
Now, with a copy of the link in hand you can just put it into a message and send it to whoever you need to and have an great time. Getting into a video conference or meeting using Zoom can be very simple. There are primarily two ways to get in, first by clicking an invitation link you received through another source, or by selecting an icon and then typing the meeting ID into an entry box. You will need to have a webcam and a microphone in order to enter a video chat.
Zoom also offers other unique options, for instance you can use its Screen Sharing option to present documents and other visuals with meeting participants, substitute the current virtual background to custom imagery, use chat feature, and display different reaction icons on top of your video during a meeting.
Do you need an account?
The ability to use and participate in a meeting without signing up or getting an account on Zoom is certainly a valuable part of this application. However in some scenarios the host could ask for all the individuals within the meetings to jointo their account.
If that happens and you don’t currently have zoom application installed then you’ll need to get an account set up.
How do I install the app on a computer?
Download Zoom on your computer by visiting their website zoom.us, finding the Resources link on the webpage and selecting “Download Zoom Desktop Client”.
Choose the download based on your Operating System, then install it by running the file.
For those on mobile devices, you may need to search the App Store or Google Play Store for Zoom Cloud Meetings.
What’s the catch with the free plan?
It is essentially designed to be used by individuals or very small groups of people. While it can host a whopping 100 participants, you are limited to a 40-minute timeframe with any more than two people.
When that 40 minute mark hits, Zoom will cut you off.
But on the plus side, if it’s just a 1-on-1 call between two people, then the sky’s the limit, and you can carry on with the discussion as long as you wish. This free version is suitable for connecting with a friend, running a short tutoring session or a brief team sync. It’s not so great if you want to hold long company-wide all-hands meetings or marathon webinars.
For those that need more functionality and more time in their meetings, there’s an upgrade available to their paid plans which will unlock these features and so much more.
What do I need to upgrade?
If you’re ready to upgrade, getting it on the web portal is a pretty easy process.
join to your account at the website, go to Account Management, then click on billing and you can choose a plan and put in your billing information.
Zoom accepts all major forms of payment (credit cards, debit cards, PayPal etc.), along with others, so you’re sure to find something that works. Once your subscription details are all dialed in, they will email you an invoice and confirm it has been completed.
What’s the easiest way to leave?
To exit from a Zoom call, just glance toward the corner of the meeting window to see the“Leave or End Meeting” option, click it and choose either Leave Meeting or End Meeting for All (only visible to hosts).
Once you’re done leaving, right-click the icon in your taskbar and select “Exit” or “Close” to close the Zoom app completely.
On a mobile device, the “Leave” or “End” button will typically be displayed towards the bottom of your screen. To close out completely just swipe the app away from the app switcher, though the exact layout will differ across devices.
How do I mute or unmute?
Look at the toolbar in your meeting window and you will see the icon of a microphone, simply click it to either mute or unmute your sound. You’ll know You’ve muted yourself if there is a red slash going through the microphone. If you’re a PC user you can also use the keyboard shortcut Alt + M to toggle mute on or off.
