Web Conferencing with Zoom

Web Conferencing with Zoom

by John Vincent


Posted on March 9, 2020


This document discusses how to install and use Zoom.

Zoom

Zoom has become a defacto standard for Video Conferencing at home.

Zoom has considerable documentation but it has gaps which may cause difficulties getting the software installed and operational.

This document is intended to fill the gaps. I have made luxurious use of already existing documentation. This document stands upon the shoulders of others.

This article covers

Quick Start

For Zoom newcomers, see Quick start guide for new users

Also see Zoom Frequently Asked Questions

To join a meeting, the basic tasks are:

To host a meeting you should first perform the above tasks and then:

Creating your own Account

An excellent reference is Quick start guide for new users

To create an account, go to Zoom Signup and enter your email address.

You will receive an email from Zoom. In this email, click Activate Account

Signing in to your Zoom account

Login to your Zoom account on the web at Zoom Sign In. Once you're logged in, use the panel on the left side to navigate the Zoom web portal. You can update your profile, schedule a meeting, edit your settings, and more.

System Requirements

You will need the Zoom Client installed on your device to be able to either host or join a meeting.

It is important you check your device meets the Zoom Client Software requirements.

Installing Zoom

Installing Zoom on Mac

  1. From your browser, go to Zoom Download Center
  2. On the Zoom Software Download Center page, find Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download
Zoom Mac Client
  1. Once the download is complete, open the Finder. In the Finder, go to your Downloads folder and then double-click on the Zoom.pkg file listing.

  2. In the pop-up window, click Continue to run the installer program.

Zoom Mac Client
  1. Follow the prompts to complete the install process.

From here you can sign in or join a meeting.

Zoom Mac Client

Installing Zoom on Windows

  1. From your browser, go to Zoom Download Center
  2. On the Zoom Software Download Center page, find Zoom Client for Meetings and click Download
Zoom Windows Client
  1. In the “Save As” dialog box, select the Downloads folder as the destination folder on your computer in which to save the installer file ZoomInstaller, and then click Save.
Zoom Windows Client
  1. Once you’ve downloaded the ZoomInstaller file, double-click on the installer file in Windows Explorer to start the installation process.

  2. If the following “Open File” pop-up window displays, click Run

Zoom Windows Client

The install process starts, as shown by the progress bar below:

Zoom Windows Client
  1. In the following window, click Sign In.
Zoom Windows Client

Installing Zoom on iOS

  1. Tap on the Apple App Store icon on your iOS device to open.
Zoom iOS Client
  1. Tap on Search at the bottom right of your screen.

  2. Enter Zoom in the search text box.

Zoom iOS Client
  1. Select ZOOM Cloud Meetings from the available app choices, and then tap on the GET button.
Zoom iOS Client
  1. The install process will start.
Zoom iOS Client
  1. Tap Open.
Zoom iOS Client
  1. In the Zoom app, tap Sign In.
Zoom iOS Client

Installing Zoom on Android

  1. Tap on the Google Play Store icon.
Zoom Android Client
  1. In Google Play, tap on Apps.
Zoom Android Client
  1. In the Play Store screen, tap on the Search icon (magnifying glass) located at the top right-hand side of the screen.

  2. Enter zoom in the search text area, and then tap ZOOM Cloud Meetings from the search results.

Zoom Android Client
  1. In the next screen, tap Install.
Zoom Android Client
  1. In the next screen, tap Accept.
Zoom Android Client
  1. After Zoom has installed, tap Open.
Zoom Android Client
  1. In Zoom, tap Sign In.
Zoom Android Client

My Zoom Profile

It is suggested you review your profile.

See Zoom Profile

  1. Provide your name (often First name and Last Initial)
  2. Optionally upload an image (not necessarily a likeness of yourself).

Note your Personal Meeting Id. This is unique and belongs to you.

For example:

Personal Meeting Id: 123-456-7890

url: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/1234567890?pwd=encrypted-password

Joining a Test Meeting

Excellent reference at Joining a test meeting

Attendee controls in a meeting

Excellent reference at Attendee controls in a meeting

Join a Meeting

Excellent reference at Joining a Meeting. This document describes the multitude of methods that can be used to join a meeting.

Here, I will describe the method I most commonly use.

To join a meeting you will need to have received an invitation. You may receive an email similar to the following:

Zoom Join Meeting

To join the meeting, at the time of the meeting:

  1. Click on the join meeting link
  2. A browser will open.
Zoom Join Meeting
  1. Click on Open zoom.us.app
  2. Zoom client app will start.
  3. If the host has not yet arrived you will see
Zoom Join Meeting
  1. When the host joins the meeting you will be able to join the meeting

Recording Settings

See Recording Settings

Recording the video conference could be a privacy concern. I disable this option.

Zoom Settings

Meeting Settings

See Meeting Settings

The following describes my settings which are a useful default. You may need different settings based upon your needs.

Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings Zoom Settings

Create a Scheduled Meeting

Excellent reference at Inviting others to join a meeting

Review Host and co-host controls in a meeting

Here I describe the method I use to schedule meetings.

  1. Start the Zoom Client Application
  2. Select Meetings
Zoom Invite Others
  1. Select Scheduled Meeting
Zoom Invite Others
  1. Set date and time of your meeting
  2. Click Schedule
Zoom Invite Others
  1. The meeting is added to your meeting schedule
Zoom Invite Others

Inviting others to join a meeting

  1. Select Copy Invitation from your Zoom Client Application
Zoom Invite Others
  1. The invitation is copied to the Clipboard.

  2. Open your email application.

  3. Create New Email.

  4. Enter email address(es) of people you wish to invite to the meeting.

  5. Subject: Zoom meeting

  6. In the body of the email, paste from the clipboard.

Zoom Invite Others
  1. Send the email

  2. The Zoom Meeting invitations are emailed to your invitees.

Start a meeting as the Host

  1. Start the Zoom Client Application.
  2. Select the meeting you wish to start.
  3. Select Start
Zoom Host Meeting
  1. Select Join With Computer Audio
Zoom Host Meeting
  1. The Zoom Video Conference begins.
  2. Others may now join the meeting.

References

Tutorials, Webinars and Events

See Webinars & Events.

You may register here for free

Other resources