Starting to use Zoom for meetings takes a bit of work. Here are some hints and tips.
Windows
- Install the Zoom client. You don’t need to create an account to do this, and the user experience will be improved.
- The hotkey for mute/unmute audio is Alt-A.
- To go to Settings, click on the account icon in the upper right corner (if you have a Zoom account, it will be your optional photo), and then click the gear marked Settings.
- There are speaker and microphone Test buttons under Settings, Audio tab!!! I found these are quite useful to check before entering a meeting.
- To prevent the meeting controls from disappearing, go to Settings, Accessibility tab, and check [x] Always show meeting controls.
macOS
- Install the Zoom client. You don’t need to create an account to do this, and the user experience will be improved.
- The hotkey for mute/unmute audio is Shift-Command-A (⇧⌘A).
- To go to Settings click on the account icon in the upper right corner (if you have a Zoom account, it will be your optional photo), and then click the gear marked Settings. Or use the hotkey Command-comma (⌘,).
- There are speaker and microphone Test buttons under Settings, Audio tab. I found these are quite useful for check before entering a meeting.
- To prevent the meeting controls from disappearing, go to Settings, Accessibility tab, and check [x] Always show meeting controls.
- As a reminder, go to Preferences with Command-comma (⌘,) or with the menu item zoom.us —> Preferences.
All Computers
- Those who use headsets have better sounding audio. (John AC6SL)
- Earbuds work, but a headset is more comfortable. (John AC6SL)
- Unless you are planning to say something, use the Mute button at lower left, especially if you are going to cough, sneeze, talk on the phone, etc. (John AC6SL)
- If you mute using the mute button on the bottom left of the display, the space bar works as PTT. But be sure that the Zoom window remains active. (Steve KM6PNM)
- Indirecting lighting will make your picture look better. If there is light coming from behind you, you look like a solar eclipse. (John AC6SL)