How To Use Zoom: It's Like The Brady Bunch Opening But with Your Actual Family

Remember the good old days when “zooming” meant putting on your favorite pair of polyester bell bottoms and grooving to disco?

Well, times have changed, and now “Zooming” means something entirely different – but it’s just as groovy, baby!

Welcome to the 21st century, where ZoomZoom is a versatile video conferencing platform that enables users to connect and collaborate remote... More can mean sitting in your favorite recliner, wearing your comfiest slippers, and suddenly you’re face-to-face with your grandkids from across the country.

No, it’s not magic (though it might feel like it at first). It’s Zoom, the video chatVideo chat is a communication method that enables real-time, face-to-face interactions between indiv... More appAn app (short for application) is a program that helps you do specific tasks on your smartphone, tab... More that’s taking the world by storm faster than you can say “far out!”

So, let’s dive in and get you Zooming like a pro!

What is Zoom and Why You Should Use It?

Zoom is a video conferencing app that’s taken the world by storm. Originally popular for business meetings, the COVID pandemic helped make Zoom a favorite for families and friends to connect virtually.

Think of it as making a telephone call, but instead of just hearing voices, you can see the beautiful faces of your loved ones right on your screen.

It’s like having a family reunion without the hassle of cleaning the house or cooking for an army.

Getting Started with Zoom: It’s Easier Than Learning the Macarena!

Downloading the Zoom App

First things first, you need the Zoom app. Don’t worry; it’s easier than getting through a holiday without at least one family argument.

On a Laptop or Computer:

Open your web browser and go to zoom.us.
Click on “Sign Up, It’s Free” in the top right corner. Enter your birth year (because apparently, Zoom likes to know you’re old enough to drive), then your email address, and click “Sign Up.
Check your email for a confirmation message from Zoom. Click the linkA link, or hyperlink, is a tool used in electronic documents and websites to jump from one online lo... More in the emailEmail, or electronic mail, is a digital communication tool that allows users to send and receive mes... More to create your account.
Visit zoom.us/download and click “Download"Download" is a term used to describe the process of copying files from the internet or another remo... More” under Zoom Client for Meetings. Once downloaded, open the file and install it.

On an iPhone or iPad:

Open the App Store and search for “Zoom.”
Tap “Get” or “Install” next to the Zoom Cloud"The cloud" refers to storage and services that are accessed over the internet instead of being stor... More Meetings app. Authenticate with your Apple ID or Face ID.
Open the app and either sign in or sign up if you don’t have an account.

On an AndroidAndroid, developed by Google, is a versatile and user-friendly operating system that powers billions... More Device:

Open the Google Play Store and search for “Zoom.
Tap “Install” next to the Zoom Cloud Meetings app.
Open the app and either sign in or sign up if you don’t have an account.

Congratulations! You’re now officially a Zoomer. No, not the kind that races around on a mobility scooter (though those are pretty cool too).

Now that you’ve got an account, it’s time to make your first Zoom call!

Your Zoom First Call: Lights, Camera, Action!

Starting a Call:

Open the Zoom app on your device.
Click on “New Meeting” to start a call. Make sure your camera and microphone are on – we want to see and hear you!
To invite others, click “Participants” and then “Invite.” You can send the meeting link via email or text.

Joining a Call:

Click on the meeting link sent by your host, or open Zoom and click “Join.”
Enter the meeting ID and passwordA password is a string of characters used to verify the identity of a user during the authentication... More if prompted. Voilà! You’re in.

Using Key Zoom Features

Turning on Your Camera: Make sure you’re not just a mysterious black box on the screen. Click “Start Video” at the bottom left corner so everyone can see your smiling face.

Muting/Unmuting Yourself: Got a noisy background? Click “Mute” to avoid sharing the sound of your neighbor’s lawnmower. Just don’t forget to unmute when you’re ready to speak.

Chat Feature: Want to send a quick message during the call? Click the “Chat” button and type away. It’s like passing notes in class but without the risk of detention.

Ending the Call: When you’re ready to leave, click the red “End” button. It’s as simple as hanging up the phone but with fewer tangled cords.

Pro Tips for Becoming a Zoom Master

Camera Angle (Because No One Wants to Look Up Your Nose)

If you’re going to be on camera, you might want to avoid what I call the “up-the-nose” angle.

Trust me, none of us look our best when the laptop is sitting on the actual lap. Prop that computer up on some books – your double chin will thank you.

Good Lighting

Good lighting is your friend. Position yourself facing a window, unless you’re going for that mysterious witness protection program look.

The Magic of the Mute Button

Here’s a golden rule: when you’re not talking, hit that mute button like it’s a game show buzzer.

Why? Because your grandson doesn’t need to hear your dog barking at the imaginary squirrel, and your book club doesn’t need to know you’re running the dishwasher.

The mute button is like a cone of silence, except it actually works.

Your Digital Front Door

The “Waiting Room” feature is like having a peephole in your digital door. You can see who’s trying to join your meeting before letting them in.

This prevents what we call “Zoom bombing,” which is like party crashing, but without the benefit of free snacks.

Making Your Background Work for You

Still haven’t cleaned that corner of the room that’s visible behind you? Zoom’s virtual backgrounds are here to save the day.

With a few clicks, you can appear to be on a tropical beach or in a professional office – though I recommend against using the beach background for your doctor’s appointment.

Picture Perfect

Think of your profile picture as your digital stand-in. When your video is off (maybe it’s a bad hair day – we’ve all been there), others will see this photo instead of a black void with your name.

Choose something recent where you’re smiling – this isn’t the DMV, after all. And unlike your driver’s license photo, you can change this one whenever you want!

The Silent Language of Emojis

In the world of Zoom, emojis are like body language for your digital self.

Want to applaud someone’s terrible pun without unmuting? There’s an emojiEmoji are small symbols or pictures used in text messages, social media, and online chats to show fe... More for that. Need to wave goodbye without the awkward “No, you go first” dance? Emoji to the rescue!

You can even customize your emoji skin tone, though sadly, there’s no emoji for “my cat just knocked over my coffee.”

Recording Meetings

Recording meetings is like having your own personal time machine, minus the paradoxes. Just remember to ask for permission first – it’s not just polite, it’s often required.

This feature is perfect for capturing those family reunions where Uncle Bob finally reveals his secret chili recipe, or for reviewing that tech tutorial your grandkids gave you at lightning speed.

When you’re ready to graduate from Zoom novice to Zoom ninja, it’s time to master screen sharing.

Want to show off photos without holding them up to the camera like it’s 1999? Click that green “Share Screen” button. You can share everything from PowerPoint presentations to your favorite recipe websiteA website is a collection of interconnected web pages or digital content that are accessible via the... More.

The mouse spotlight feature lets you point things out without leaving fingerprints on your screen – it’s like having a laser pointer without the risk of accidentally signaling passing aircraft.

Dark Mode and Other Digital Delights

For those late-night Zoom sessions, dark mode is like putting sunglasses on your screen. Your eyes will thank you, and you’ll look très chic doing it.

Also, get to know Zoom’s filters. They’re like having your own personal lighting crew, minus the union breaks!