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Like many of us, I have spent an above-average
amount of time on my tablet or computer because
of being confined to my home. Our new reality for
communicating with friends and family because of
social distance has relied on virtual meetings. So-
cially distancing had given me the ability to interact
and meet new people.
I have enjoyed being able to continue meeting with
members of my computer club, Honor Flight
friends, and my former coworkers and I still virtually
meet and chat every two weeks. This would have
th
been the 48 annual family reunion which we had
to cancel this year, but I was able to round up over
fifty family members for a virtual meeting. We have
plans for another meeting in a couple of weeks.
None of this could have been accomplished without
new technology, and our smartphone, tablets or
computers have made all this possible. For some of
use, virtual meetings have been a new adventure
and for others, it was second nature. Many of us
have been using this technology for some time in
the form of SMS texting, Facebooking, Tweeting,
and even just a simple phone call with some of
these new technology devices.
I have found myself locked into the Zoom meeting
several times a week and have acquired a new
condition called a “Zoom Butt” from sitting at my
computer for meetings that have exceeded 3-hours.
Therefore, I have updated my office to make it
more suitable and comfortable for these long ses-
sions.
As the moderator for some of these sessions, it is
important that I be as comfortable as possible.
Therefore, my priority was to obtain a more com-
fortable chair. Ensuring that my chair is set at the
right height and I have the right angle to view my
monitors will ensure I do not end up with neck
strain after these sessions.
To make my sessions more enjoyable l set up a
dual-monitor system. This allows me to see the
presentation/speaker on one monitor and the gal-
lery/chat session on the other. The number of peo-
ple I can see in the gallery depends on my comput-
er process and I have an Intel I7 processor, there-
September 2020
fore, I’m able to see up-to forty-nine a once and I've
attended a few meeting with over one-hundred at-
tendees. In this case I must scroll to another screen
to see all attendees.
I have chosen the Logitech C920 webcam with the
built-in microphone, and it is mounted on a goose-
neck holder enabling me to adjust it to eye-level. This
view gives me eye contact with the monitor screen
and the viewers not looking up my nose and trying to
count the number of hairs. Although the camera has
a built-in microphone, sometimes I perfect to use my
USB headset with an attached microphone.
I am presently developing some online/virtual training
lessons and I have the means to connect up to three
different cameras to my system. This will give me
views of the keyboard, myself, and other peripherals I
am using to create my presentation. I can switch be-
tween views with just the touch of a button
Lighting is also very important for a good virtual meet-
ing. I have seen too my attendees with a bright light
behind them, and being back lite, you cannot see
their face. Front lighting is essential, and it is best if
you can control it. LED Ring Lights have become ex-
tremely popular and are inexpensive. The ring light I
use allows me to control the brightness of the lights. It
does not matter which type of light you use, just get
some type of light in front of you.
More and more people are learning about the Virtual
Backgrounds available during Zoom meeting. They
are nice but can be distracting. These backgrounds
are meant to be used with a green-screen backdrop
and if you do not use one, then take into considera-
tion your movements and what you are wearing when
using a virtual background. Quick movement and
some clothing will make you appear to be GHOST-
ING to other attendees.
I recently attended a Zoom presentation and the host
kept moving his hands in front of my camera and af-
ter a short period of time it became very distracting. I
texted him and apparently, he got my note and
stopped. Just as distracting are attendees moving
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