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Tips for VIRTUAL Meetings

Starting to use Zoom for meetings takes a bit of work. Here are some hints and tips.

Windows

  1. Install the Zoom client. You don’t need to create an account to do this, and the user experience will be improved.
  2. The hotkey for mute/unmute audio is Alt-A.
  3. 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.
  4. There are speaker and microphone Test buttons under Settings, Audio tab!!! I found these are quite useful to check before entering a meeting.
  5. To prevent the meeting controls from disappearing, go to Settings, Accessibility tab, and check [x] Always show meeting controls.

macOS

  1. Install the Zoom client. You don’t need to create an account to do this, and the user experience will be improved.
  2. The hotkey for mute/unmute audio is Shift-Command-A (⇧⌘A).
  3. 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 (⌘,).
  4. There are speaker and microphone Test buttons under Settings, Audio tab. I found these are quite useful for check before entering a meeting.
  5. To prevent the meeting controls from disappearing, go to Settings, Accessibility tab, and check [x] Always show meeting controls.
  6. As a reminder, go to Preferences with Command-comma (⌘,) or with the menu item zoom.us —> Preferences.

All Computers

  1. Those who use headsets have better sounding audio. (John AC6SL)
  2. Earbuds work, but a headset is more comfortable. (John AC6SL)
  3. 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)
  4. 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)
  5. Indirecting lighting will make your picture look better. If there is light coming from behind you, you look like a solar eclipse. (John AC6SL)