31

Mum: Eh, how to use Zoom? I got meeting now

Me: The host will send you a link, then, you just ‘join meeting from browser’.

Mum: Huh? Where is it, where is it? – *A few seconds later even before I could say anything…*

Mum: Oh (checks her WhatsApp message with the link). *A few clicks later*, Alarh, so easy.

Fortunately, just the night before I had a meeting with a friend, who organised a Poetry Jam (similar to jamming sessions in music) with a few other participants who are all now based in different parts of Malaysia (My take is that she wanted an audience as well). As the current health crisis intensifies and with many governments controlling one’s movements when you’re out and about, it is slightly challenging to hold face-to-face meetings and events, especially when there is a need to discuss or have something urgently.

This is where Zoom, a cloud-based conferencing tool, comes in.

Since my friend (the host) in the Malaysian state of Kedah was using the Free version of Zoom, the event or meeting can only run for a total of 40 minutes. She also scheduled the meeting to begin at about 9 pm. There is also a password to be entered but I trust the host had already done so beforehand for both the participants and those who were invited to watch and comment on the event. Due to the time limit and the rather informal tone of the event, there was a break in between. So, my friend planned two different sessions.

I also liked the notice/prompt:- ‘Please wait for the host to let you in’ that appeared on my screen to indicate to users/participants that they should be patient. At this point, I was waiting for the second session to begin.

Since I discovered the event invite (through Facebook) a bit too late, I didn’t have time to explore the different backdrops that Zoom has for its users. For example, my friend (the host) had a backdrop of a beach. For a while, I thought she was really at a physical beach! There are other backdrops like the Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft from the Harry Potter series, as well as one that makes you feel like you’re actually in space.

There is also a ‘chat’ feature with chat boxes that allows users to chat with each other in a Zoom meeting.

Of course, if you have the Zoom (mobile) app on your phone, you don’t have to ‘join meeting from browser’.

You’ll need a webcam or camera for meetings to work, as well as a microphone. Thankfully, my laptop comes with a built-in microphone.

Zoom is great for use across industries.

Perhaps I should go play around with Zoom a little more.

Until then, Happy Zooming!

*Please note that the dialogue (at the beginning) is reflective of the typical Malaysian way of life in that one uses both Malaysian English and code-switching.

Jamming sessions – They are done impromptu.