JUST A THOUGHT

Frankly, I don’t mind not being President. I just mind that someone else is ---Edward Kennedy

VIRTUAL MEETINGS: Like it or not, much has changed in the way we live, entertain ourselves, and conduct business these days.

Such change, triggered by COVID-19 pandemic, has impacted heavily on work, and even leisure, activities.

In our case, being journalists, in matters of information gathering.

 Where we used to hold press conferences in nice surroundings to announce a new project, product, service, or personality, there are now the so-called virtual meetings, also called zoom conferences.

  Zoom is an application introduced by Zoom Video Communications, Inc., an American communications technology company based in San Jose, California.

 Zoom provides video telephony and online chat services through a cloud-based peer-to-peer software platform. It is used for teleconferencing, telecommuting, distance education, and social relations.    

WIDER REACH: As industries try to return to normal in the time of pandemic, and against all odds, they try to find ways and means to survive.

In entertainment, where the saying, ‘’The show must go on,’’ is a popular mantra, people turn to teleconferencing as a marketing and promotions tool.

Zoom is just one of such apps available in the market. There’s also Messenger by Facebook, although it can host only a limited number of people at any given time. Google Meet is another app.

Zoom offers a wider audience reach, as it is able to accommodate as many as 200 persons in a group meeting at one time.

Xx

OVERCOMING ZOOM:   As in anything new as far as technology is concerned, some people were initially afraid, apprehensive of Zoom-ing.

In the beginning, I didn’t know how to operate it. I had stage fright. It felt like I was going to appear on TV for all the world to see, and make a fool of myself all over again.

Yet, constant practice, and through my son’s tutorial and guidance, I was able to get over those early jitters. I have also learned how to angle myself on cam, so I’d look more pleasing and years younger.

There’s such a thing as Ring Light, a circular disc that reflects good lighting on your face as you zoom. Thanks to our friends from TV-5 for that.

What to wear during a zoom meet? Since the camera won’t capture your entirety, a decent shirt will do

 NOTES TO SHARE:  I have a few notes to share, however.

To the hosts of zoom, please provide more simple meeting ID’s and passcodes that can allow guests to enter.

It can be so stressful to type out combinations of letters and numbers, some in capital letter, others in small, etc. Make it simple, not mix-up’s.

Find a corner in your house where it’s neat and there’s good lighting. You and your house will want to look photogenic, if not desirable.

Listen to the host intently as he directs traffic in the Q and A portion.

Watch out for signs and symbols, such as Chat, or Raise Hand, in case you want to participate.

Observe basic courtesy. Speak only when the host calls you. A zoom con is not a meet-and -greet session.

Remember to mute your device unless it’s your turn to speak. If you don’t, people can hear everything, all the hullabaloo that’s going on in your household.

Feed yourself before joining a virtual meeting. You can get hungry in a 2-hour straight online conference.

Your stomach will start to grumble, and that’s when you realize how much better, and more satisfying, it is to attend a physical press conference!      

Hosts, then, should not hold online meets at 12 noon, not unless they send food packs to the homes of attendees.

Wish ko lang.