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Online Meetings

About Online Meetings

If we are unable to meet in person, we will provide as much of the camera club's programming online as possible. We will be using a meeting app called Zoom - the same platform used by BU and the City of Newton. We selected Zoom because it is one of the easier-to-use remote meeting tools.

The app only downloads and installs the first time your participate in a meeting, so the first time you "attend" a meeting we suggest you join early enough (by 7:15 pm) to download the app and get your equipment set up. Follow the instructions below. On the day of the event, you can click the button on the right to get the Zoom link emailed to you.

What You Need

To watch and hear the presenter and ask questions via chat, most people will only need:

  • A computer with either speakers (built-in or external) or a telephone OR

  • A smartphone or tablet.

  • A connection to the internet
     

If you want to orally ask a question or make a comment you will also need: 

  • A microphone for your computer or a telephone connection OR

  • A smartphone or tablet.
     

If you want to be seen while talking you will need: 

  • A webcam for your computer OR

  • A smartphone or tablet.
     

In general, we will not be sharing video of the attendees, so you do not need this unless you are presenting. 

 

The largest screen device you have will be most satisfying. 

Instructions

If you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we highly recommend that you watch this video on attending a Zoom meeting. 

On the night of the meeting, join the Zoom meeting between 7:15 PM and 7:30 PM by using the Zoom link sent to you in a club email message. If you did not receive the message or you have misplaced it, meeting links will also be posted in a message on our Community Page. On the day of the event, you can also click on the button below to have the Zoom link emailed to you. Note, only one reply per email address will be sent.

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Note that the presentation will start promptly at 7:30 so you can use 7:15 ~ 7:30 period to make sure your equipment is working and mingle virtually with your fellow club members. 

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Testing Your Setup Ahead of Time

Any time prior to the meeting you can test your setup.

 

To test from a laptop computer, simply click

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The button takes you to our test meeting room. Note that for security reasons each meeting will have a different meeting link provided in an email message. 

 

The first time you use Zoom, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app. Install the app on your computer and join the meeting. When the app opens, click on the "Join Audio" option. A window will open that gives you the option to "Test Speaker and Microphone." Click on that and follow the test instructions. If you have trouble getting the audio to work, you can always dial into the meeting using the Dial-In Instructions below.

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To test from a tablet or smart phone, first download the Zoom app:

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Zoom for iOS

Zoom for Android

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Once the app is installed on your device, you can click on the Test Now button above or you click "Join Meeting" and manually type in our test meeting ID:

 

Test Meeting ID: 806 746 5322

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You'll have to do a few setup chores such as entering your name and allowing Zoom to use your microphone and camera. If you're on wifi, select the choice to "Call using Internet Audio." If not, select "Dial In" and use the Dial-In information below.

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After joining the meeting you can use the two icons in the lower left to un-mute your mic and turn on your camera (if using one).

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Dial-in Instructions

 

If, for any reason, you cannot get audio working on your device using Internet audio through the Zoom app, you can call into the audio portion of the meeting using any phone. To test this out, dial the number below and then enter the Test Meeting ID when prompted.

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Dial-in Number: 929-205-6099

Test Meeting ID: 806 746 5322

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You will still need the Zoom app to see the visuals. You will receive different dial-in information for each actual meeting.

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If You Can't Download the Zoom App

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If you can't download and install the Zoom app for any reason, it is possible to participate with limited features via a web browser. The Zoom web client functions best on Google Chrome.  Participants joining through the web client will need to be signed in to a Zoom account. You'll need to create an account if you don't already have one.

 

To join using the web client, click on "Test Now" button above or on the meeting link sent to you via the mailing list. You may see an option to "Join from your browser." If you do see it, click on that. You'll need to sign into Zoom (or create an account) and enter your name. You can use either computer or telephone audio to join the meeting.

 

If you do not see the "Join from your browser" option, select "download & run Zoom." Now the "Join from your browser" option should appear. Click on it and sign into your Zoom account when prompted (or create a new account if you don't have one) and enter your name to join the meeting with either computer or telephone audio.

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