Video conferencing tools can make your personal and professional communications more effective, and save you time and effort. This is, of course, if you choose the right tool.
Traditionally, when it comes to telecommunications, people have chosen Skype as their software. But while it’s a great easy-to-use app, it also comes with certain limitations, such as having to pay for some important features or the unnecessarily complicated process of changing your Skype name
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
If you’re planning to switch from Skype to another video conferencing service, take a look at its biggest competitor, Zoom The main reasons for choosing this software over other programs are its ease of use, low price and of course the fact that only one person has to download the software to arrange a meeting. Everyone else can just follow the link and follow it without any problem.
How to set zoom in / out
By far the most compelling feature of Zoom is the ability for a user to join a meeting without having to install any software or go through the registration process at all. However, when you create a Zoom meeting, you still have to set it up and invite other attendees.
To start configuring Zoom, follow these steps:
- Go to the main website of the application and create an account. On the website, click the Sign Up button in the upper right corner, enter your email address, or use your Facebook or Google account to sign in.
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
- After confirming your email address, follow the link back to the Zoom website and enter your contact information.
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
- The next screen will take you to the Invite Colleagues page, where you can invite people to join your Zoom contacts. You can fill in their details or skip this step to do it later.
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
- The next step is to start your first software testing meeting. Click the Start Meeting Now button on the screen and you will be prompted to download the application.
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
- Once the download is complete, open the app and sign in to your account. You will then be presented with options to start a new meeting, join an existing meeting, schedule a meeting, or share the screen with your contacts.
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
When you’re done with your first Zoom video conference, you should be able to fully use the app. As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest benefits of using Zoom is that other users don’t need to download the app or register on the website to join your meetings.
When you subscribe to Zoom, you automatically receive the Basic Plan. It’s free and includes an unlimited number of meetings you can start or join, with no time limit when it comes to one-on-one meetings, and 40 minutes for meetings between 3 and 100 people.
You also have the option to upgrade to a Pro, Business or Enterprise plan starting at $ 14.99 / month per person.
How to use Zoom Like a Pro
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When you start using Zoom, you will see how intuitive the application is and how easy it is to set up and organize video conferencing using this software. However, there are some important tips you can use to make better use of this app and make your teamwork even more effective.
Record your appointments for future use
Zoom allows you to record video calls and save them for future use. This is a feature that comes in handy if you share the content of your meetings with people who were unable to attend.
You can save the video locally on your computer or in Zoom cloud storage. You will find the option to record and save your call on your desktop or in the web app under My Meeting Settings.
Create a meeting attendance sheet
With Zoom, you can create attendance sheets for each meeting and save them for future reference. You will find this information in a report automatically generated after your call ends.
To find this list, go to the Zoom Meetings tab and find Reports. Keep in mind that you need to be the meeting organizer in order to create a list of attendees.
Use the annotation tool when sharing your screen
Zoom is not only a great video calling software, but also a great screen sharing app. In addition to being able to see each other’s screen, thanks to the annotation tool, Zoom users can draw on the displayed screen and write comments highlighting important parts of it. This way, you can give each other instant feedback on the issues discussed.
To access this tool during screen sharing, click View Options at the top of the screen and select Annotate.
Use keyboard shortcuts
If you’re looking to save time and become a power user, learning keyboard shortcuts is always a great place to start. Zoom is no exception to this rule.
If you use this app on a regular basis, these few shortcuts will save you a lot of time.
- Cmd + I (for Mac) or Alt + I (for Windows) will take you directly to the prompt window.
- Cmd + Ctrl + M (for Mac) or Alt + M (for Windows) will mute all meeting attendees (if you are the meeting organizer).
- Cmd + Shift + S (for Mac) or Alt + Shift + S (for Windows) will start screen sharing.
Zoom vs. Skype
Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?”/>
While Skype and Zoom are great tools for remote team collaboration, neither is perfect. This means you might have to try both and see which one works best for you and your team.
By all accounts, while Skype enjoys a lot of acceptance among businesses, Zoom is actually the best (and cheaper) tool for those teams that require frequent video calls and chats. Therefore, if you are looking for an app for everyday communication, we recommend trying Zoom
If you’ve already made a choice about which video calling software is best for you, please let us know: Are you on the Zoom or Skype team? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.
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