YPU Zoom Advice

The YPU want your club to get Zooming!

Due to the Covid19 situation, any Club meetings currently taking place are happening via Zoom and sadly this now appears to be the prospect for many months to come. It seems likely that meetings in clubrooms will not go ahead before spring 2021 at least, so although it pains me to say it, meetings will only be via Zoom for the foreseeable future. Being positive, this will mean opening up to new speakers from much further afield. 

At the risk of stating the obvious, we hope that we can go some way to allay any doubts, myths or misgivings about using Zoom:-

1. If you have a desktop, laptop or tablet, you can download and use Zoom for nothing. You can also use a smartphone, and it is no different to watching a YouTube Video or a BBC news clip.

2. If you prefer not to install Zoom to your computer there is a Zoom Web Client, there are details here https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/214629443-Zoom-web-client

3. Virtually all laptops and tablets have built in cameras and microphones.

4. Most desktop computers and their monitors do not have built in webcams or microphones HOWEVER…

5.You do not need a webcam or microphone to view a Zoom tutorial, BUT you can ask questions via the very useful CHAT function.

6. Logging into Zoom via the club’s link means that the tutorial/lecture/competition is visible to the viewer even without a webcam or microphone.

7. To ensure your security and privacy the Camera Club pays for a Zoom subscription. Only invited guests may attend a club zoom session.

8. To maintain your security you should always keep the installed Zoom application up to date with the latest release.

9. Using Zoom is completely free, although you may have to pay to attend certain lectures. This is to help cover meeting costs, just as you did when attending your club.

10. Individual meeting links would be emailed a day or so before each meeting. If you are not receiving your link please let your club know.

11. Contact me for further information if you need it, if I can’t help I’ll find someone who can.

If you haven’t joined in on Zoom yet, we urge you to do so.

And if you’re bothered about appearing on screen, you don’t have to do so. If you are still wanted for questioning in connection with The Great Train Robbery or The Hatton Garden diamond heist, you may still use Zoom by disabling your webcam and you will just show up as a black tile!

Zoom meetings which involve photo techniques such as processing are just brilliant; it’s like looking over someone’s shoulder – so if you haven’t yet done so, please give it a try and join.

Lists of judges & lecturers can be found in the PAGB handbook, in the PAGB eNews & also on the newly created ZOOM Register https://zoom.clubsoftware.org which is growing daily!

You can download this advice as a Word document

Sally Sallett
ARPS CPAGB AFIAP BPE3*

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