Mini Technology Blog – Zoom Video Meetings
I was looking at alternatives to Skype and Google Hangouts for video meetings and was recommended Zoom
I signed up and they sent an authorisation email which required confirmation and takes you to the sign in page.
Enter name and create a password and you’re in. I skipped the immediate meeting schedule and downloaded the Microsoft Outlook add on. This is really cool as it puts a pair of short cut buttons onto the Outlook header to schedule a meeting or start an instant meeting.
All you need to do is invite, through their email addresses, the colleagues you want to join in on the meeting, just like a standard meeting request.
The link to the meeting is included in the email request and you don’t need to have previously downloaded any software. The recipient only needs to click on the link, and they are in.
You can share desktops, record the meeting both as audio and video, and have up to 100 participants. I would suggest you leave it to half a dozen. The free version only allows meetings up to 40 minutes in duration, but you can upgrade to a paid model if required which allows unlimited time.
This is a great application for remote working, keeping in touch with both your clients and members of staff.
Pros
- Participants do not require a software download
- Up to 100 participants
- Very clear recording of meetings
- Switchable Gallery View
- It works on Smart Phones
Cons
- Need to pay for meetings over 40 minutes
Give it a try
