More thoughts and unsolicited advice about Zoom as there’s no end in sight. Here’s a few things you might want to know:
Waiting rooms/links/pass and host codes. Last September Zoom made it mandatory to have either a waiting room or a passcode. I tend to opt for passcode over waiting room for the following reasons:
- If I have a waiting room, I need to a) be in the room to let them into the room b) monitor it. Sometimes that is desirable, sometimes it isn’t. If I’m going to be leading a discussion in the room, I can’t necessarily monitor the waiting room. If I can’t monitor the waiting room closely, I probably am not in a position to exclude anyone based on name alone (otherwise, why have a waiting room).
- I host a lot of meetings on a lot of accounts that are public meetings facilitated by people other than me. So I do not want ambiguity about whether someone can get into the room. Therefore I set it up so that
- there is a passcode not a waiting room;
- there is an embedded passcode in the link (so people who can click on a link can enter without adding a passcode);
- you can enter before the “host;”
- in my profile, I create and give out a known host code (you already have a default one) so that someone can host a meeting for me without having my log in and access to the whole account (which is a pretty big security risk).
- I also always uncheck the box for passcode on dial-in. People who are dialing in are not in a position to Zoom bomb and generally have enough problems with access. They will enter the meeting ID and no passcode. This can be especially important if your passcode has letters, because they may be case sensitive and its difficult to enter letters through a phone (not internet) system.
- Note that for many meetings, depending on size and purpose, you do not need a “host” per se if you set it up the way I recommend above because you can get in a room and talk without a host. You do need a host to mute all and share screen.
Future items:
- Raise hand function
- how and why to hide non-video participants
- how to create a theater audience mode
- large meeting extensions to 500
- Other video conference platforms that can do lots of cool things
- & more
Previous posts about zoom: