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technical => computers, technology and the internet => Topic started by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 05:44:55 pm

Title: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 05:44:55 pm
Hi All - a question others may be asking too...

I’ve got to engage in doing some remote teaching in the coming weeks - and we have software to remotely make lectures etc...

But I want to be able to have a chat/discussion like a tutorial with up to 10 people.

Skype can do it - though gets a bit messy. I hate skype for business (which is somehow much worse than Skype in my view).

WhatsApp is out as I’d need everyone’s number which would be a bit creepy for the students I guess. Facetime ditto - and apple device reliance.

I’ve not used google hangouts - any good?

Any other alternatives?

Need to be free and easy (not requiring a lengthy registration etcvv) for anyone else to use...
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: jwi on March 17, 2020, 05:52:18 pm
We are using zoom.us. I have only tested it on a few students so far. My classes on Friday with 2*40 students is a more difficult test.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: mrjonathanr on March 17, 2020, 06:10:00 pm
'Teams' is what we have been told to get going with. Our IT bods describe it as 'exceptionally powerful' - and they really know their stuff, you may want to check it out.

https://teams.microsoft.com/start
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: gme on March 17, 2020, 06:12:01 pm
 :2thumbsup:to Teams. Easiest one to use.

Rolled it out to 40 staff today without issue.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: teestub on March 17, 2020, 06:17:07 pm
Also just getting into Teams for work, seems way better than Skype which is the only one I’ve used previously. Screen share has been particularly useful for discussing data. Can send out invites for meeting via outlook with link into Teams if you’re on Microsoft at work.

Sorry to Slackline if he’s still reading  :lol:
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Paul B on March 17, 2020, 06:23:20 pm
Teams is the replacement for Skype for Business I was told this week.

It's also got a neat function where if you're in a crowded place (hopefully not  :sick:) you can click blur background and it does just that.

:2thumbsup: to Teams. Easiest one to use.

Rolled it out to 40 staff today without issue.

 :kiss2:
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 06:34:55 pm
Is it free?
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: HarryBD on March 17, 2020, 06:37:54 pm
We’ve been using teams for the last year and it’s been ok but they’ve been struggling (edit. With connectivity due to demand) over the last few days. Slack and google hangouts have remained up and worth considering.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: andy popp on March 17, 2020, 06:41:07 pm
I joined one session at a conference this weekend via Zoom and it worked well. Heard good feedback from others who were physically at the conference but joined virtual panels and likewise those not present in person who joined live panels - but I've no experience of any of the alternatives.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Johnny Brown on March 17, 2020, 07:00:07 pm
IRATA uses GoToMeeting. It's ok. Also briefly experimented with Huddle (a much more comprehensive package) but it was overkill for our uses.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Falling Down on March 17, 2020, 07:06:33 pm
Teams - Very good, currently MSoft are offering free licenses (time limited) and deals.  Integrates incredibly well with MS Office and 365.  The rest of the Teams functionality is great for collaboration, documents and has loads of plug-ins.

The Microsoft Teams education knowledge base has got some brilliant go-to materials for all sorts of needs and is well worth looking at.

Zoom - Really great for large groups (teaching, seminars, workshops) and also has ‘breakout group’ capability if you’re running a workshop.  I’m also using it for my psychotherapy clients on a 1:1 basis.

We’ve been using both for a while and by the end of the week we’ll have a ‘playbook’ ready for our own team and clients on how to run workshops and stuff remotely.   Once it’s ready I’d be happy to do a UKB session for anyone interested sometime next week.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: sdm on March 17, 2020, 07:08:32 pm
We mainly use Teams at work. Like the various incarnations of Skype, it is mostly good but not without its annoyances.

We also occasionally use Zoom or Bluejeans when it suits clients better. All 3 options will do everything you need.

I know Zoom and Bluejeans work well for free. I don't know whether Teams can be obtained for free (it usually comes bundled with Office or Windows business accounts).
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: mrjonathanr on March 17, 2020, 07:08:46 pm
Cool offer, thanks
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 07:10:43 pm
Hmm will experiment with Zoom. Esp of the participants can just click a link and join (without having to sign up and download software etc..). Will see.

Think I’ve used it before to join a webinar...
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: sdm on March 17, 2020, 07:37:50 pm
My yoga class announced today that it is switching from the studio to using Zoom.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: andy popp on March 17, 2020, 07:43:46 pm
Hmm will experiment with Zoom. Esp of the participants can just click a link and join (without having to sign up and download software etc..). Will see.

Every single academic I know who's had to shift to online teaching seems to be using Zoom. When I used it at the weekend I just clicked a link, no signing in, no downloading software.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: mrjonathanr on March 17, 2020, 07:51:37 pm
My yoga class announced today that it is switching from the studio to using Zoom.

Kudos to them. Mine just want to congratulate themselves for their new studio anniversary and put on extra classes. I can sympathise, it's their livelihood, but pretending nothing is wrong is really not a good response.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 07:53:21 pm
Free zoom is limited to 40 min sessions...
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: remus on March 17, 2020, 07:58:36 pm
Every single academic I know who's had to shift to online teaching seems to be using Zoom. When I used it at the weekend I just clicked a link, no signing in, no downloading software.

Looks like it's fixed now, but zoom used some pretty shady tricks to make this work https://medium.com/bugbountywriteup/zoom-zero-day-4-million-webcams-maybe-an-rce-just-get-them-to-visit-your-website-ac75c83f4ef5
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: abarro81 on March 17, 2020, 08:42:38 pm
We use Uberconference, seems fine but we never have more than 5 or so people calling in. Also only needs people to click a link and enter a name. Don't think we pay but I'd have to check with my boss.. it also has (sometimes) the best hold music if you're first on - a country song about being on hold.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Falling Down on March 17, 2020, 08:44:39 pm
Two mates have cancelled their 50th birthday parties in the next few weeks so I’m helping them do Zoom events instead.

Get everyone online for an hour or two from wherever they are, have a few drinks, sing happy birthday and maybe play a game or two.

Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 17, 2020, 08:49:40 pm
stop. The. Clock.

I’m 100% sold on Zoom. You can have virtual backgrounds - brilliant. I can give a lecture with the background of some grotty peak lime cave 😂
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: steveri on March 17, 2020, 09:39:33 pm
Zoom works well with google calendar if that’s any interest, there's a little plug-in.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: csl on March 17, 2020, 10:04:32 pm
stop. The. Clock.

I’m 100% sold on Zoom. You can have virtual backgrounds - brilliant. I can give a lecture with the background of some grotty peak lime cave 😂

Not only that... https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115002595343-Touch-Up-My-Appearance
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Paul B on March 18, 2020, 10:10:11 am
it is mostly good but not without its annoyances.

It's got a lot of ways to try and use the incorrect audio devices! I had to fix it for my better half yesterday and this morning the same didn't work and the audio settings needed were in the phone symbol instead (rather than as set in the tools > audio device menu)  :worms:
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: spidermonkey09 on March 18, 2020, 10:13:05 am
I find Zoom very frustrating. Its also only free for 40 minutes.

MeetUp Call is the best I've used but quite expensive. Not your issue if its not you paying obviously.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 18, 2020, 11:42:39 am
So - been trying out Google hangouts and Zoom this morning.

Both work fine - things Ive noticed...

Zoom allows backgrounds and screen sharing (great) - but limited to 40 min and requires a small widget download etc...

Hangouts seems endless - but I cant see how to share a screen (a shame). But requires a google username to log in etc.. (which is seamless to most people who have one and are google logged in etc..).
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: HarryBD on March 18, 2020, 01:03:47 pm
On hangouts in bottom right theres an option to present which lets you screenshare
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: tomtom on March 18, 2020, 01:47:16 pm
On hangouts in bottom right theres an option to present which lets you screenshare

Cool. Thanks Harry. At present Hangouts is winning. I can have it pottering away in the background and people can join me whenever. Open office if you like.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: dunnyg on March 18, 2020, 01:59:46 pm
There are some comedy zoom background malfunctions, here is a volcanologist fail.

https://twitter.com/tamsinmather/status/1240262204609441793?s=20



Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: andy popp on March 18, 2020, 03:20:29 pm
In what possible sense is that a fail?
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: dunnyg on March 18, 2020, 04:10:56 pm
I guess failed at the initial plan, only to succeed in creating something even greater than imagined.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Fultonius on March 18, 2020, 04:31:04 pm
One thing we've come up against is that Teams doesn't work well in our office. It's fine from home or remote sites, but it's just not optimised on our network. That also means that if we work via the VPN, teams live video calls fall on their face. Solution - ditch the VPN!

I like zoom and teams, both better than skype when running well. Team has some pretty good functions like whiteboard.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: rich d on March 18, 2020, 04:50:12 pm
don't bother using webex - it's obviously inundated and really isn't usable at all.
Rich
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: duncan on March 18, 2020, 06:37:24 pm
Teams working well for me, about the only thing that is!
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: fatneck on March 19, 2020, 10:50:52 am
We're using Teams quite successfully!
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: Falling Down on March 30, 2020, 11:38:51 am
A team at work have created a 'how-to' guide for running workshops and virtual events online with some great guidance and advice plus plenty on Teams, Zoom, Mural and other tech tools.  If anyone wants a copy, DM me your email address and I'll send it over. It's really good.
Title: Re: Video Conferencing / discussion software
Post by: mrjonathanr on March 30, 2020, 12:38:58 pm
 Yes please FD, trying not to go into meltdown juggling Teams  between PC, iPad and 20 kids simultaneously asking different questions :)
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