视频会议(Video conferencing)工具可以让您的个人和专业交流更加高效，并节省您的时间和精力(time and effort)。也就是说，当然，如果您选择使用正确的工具。
传统上，人们在电信方面一直选择Skype作为他们的首选软件。但是，虽然它是一款非常易于使用的应用程序，但它也有一定的局限性，例如必须为某些基本功能付费或更改 Skype 名称的不必要的复杂过程(process of changing your Skype name)。
如果您正在考虑从Skype迁移到其他视频会议服务(video conference service)，请查看其最大的竞争对手Zoom。选择它而不是其他软件的主要原因包括易用性、便宜的价格，当然还有一个事实是只需一个人下载该软件即可创建会议。其他人都可以简单地点击链接并毫不费力 地跳上它。(link and jump)
如何设置缩放(How To Set Up Zoom)
到目前为止，Zoom最吸引人的功能是用户无需安装任何软件或完成注册过程(registration process)即可加入会议。但是，当您是创建Zoom 会议(Zoom meeting)的人时，您仍然需要进行设置并邀请其他参与者。
为了开始设置Zoom，请按照以下步骤操作：
- 前往应用程序的主网站并创建一个帐户。在网站上，点击右上角的注册(right corner)按钮(Sign Up)，输入您的电子邮件，或使用您的Facebook 或 Google 帐户(Facebook or Google account)登录。
- 确认您的电子邮件地址(email address)后，请点击链接返回 Zoom 网站并输入您的联系方式。
- 下一个屏幕将带您进入邀请同事(Invite Colleagues)页面，您可以在其中邀请人们加入您的Zoom 联系人(Zoom contact)列表。您可以填写他们的详细信息，也可以稍后跳过此步骤。
- 下一步是开始您的第一次会议以测试该软件。单击屏幕上的立即开始会议(Start Meeting Now)按钮，它将提示应用程序的下载。
- 下载完成后，打开应用程序并登录(app and sign)您的帐户。然后，您将看到开始新会议、加入现有会议、安排会议或与您的联系人共享屏幕的选项。
完成第一次Zoom 视频(Zoom video)会议后，您就可以开始完全使用该应用程序了。正如我们之前提到的，使用Zoom(Zoom)的最大优势之一是其他用户无需下载应用程序或(app or register)在网站上注册即可加入您的会议。
当您注册Zoom时，您会自动获得基本计划(Basic Plan)。它是免费的，包括您可以开始或加入的无限数量的会议、一对一会议没有时间限制以及 3 到 100 人会议的 40(time limit)分钟限制(minute limit)。
您还可以选择升级到Pro、Business或Enterprise计划，每人每月 14.99 美元起。
如何像专业人士一样使用 Zoom(How to Use Zoom Like a Pro)
当您开始使用Zoom时，您会看到该应用程序的直观性以及使用此软件设置和组织视频会议是多么容易。但是，您可以使用一些基本技巧来更好地使用此应用程序并使您的团队合作更加高效。
记录您的会议以备将来使用(Record Your Meetings For Future Use)
Zoom 允许您录制视频通话并将其保存以备将来使用。这是一项方便您与无法参加会议的人共享会议内容的功能。
您可以选择将视频保存在本地计算机上或 Zoom 的云存储中。您可以在“我的会议设置”(My Meeting Settings)下的桌面和 Web 应用程序(desktop and web app)中找到记录和保存通话的选项。
创建会议的出席表 (Create Your Meeting’s Attendance Sheet )
使用Zoom，您可以生成每个会议的出席表(s attendance sheet)并保存以备将来参考。您将在通话结束后自动生成的报告中找到该信息。
要找到该列表，请转到 Zoom Meetings选项卡，然后搜索Reports。请记住，要获得与会者列表，您需要成为该会议的主持人。
在屏幕共享时使用注释工具(Use The Annotation Tool While Screen Sharing)
除了是一款出色的视频通讯软件(video communication software)，Zoom还是一款出色的屏幕共享应用(excellent screen sharing app)。除了能够看到彼此的屏幕(s screen)外，借助注释工具(annotation tool)，Zoom用户还可以在显示的屏幕上绘图并通过突出显示屏幕的重要部分来写评论。这样，您就可以就所讨论的问题相互提供即时反馈。
要在屏幕共享时访问该工具，请单击屏幕顶部的View Options并选择(View Options)Annotate。
使用键盘快捷键(Use Keyboard Shortcuts)
如果您想节省时间并成为高级用户(power user)，学习键盘快捷键(learning keyboard shortcuts)始终是一个不错的起点。Zoom也不例外。
如果您定期使用此应用程序，这些快捷方式将为您节省大量时间。
- Cmd + I (Mac) 或Alt + I ( Windows ) 将带您直接进入邀请窗口(Invite window)。
- Cmd + Ctrl + M（适用于 Mac）或Alt + M（适用于Windows）将使会议中的所有人静音（如果您是会议主持人(meeting host)）。
- Cmd + Shift + S（对于 Mac）或Alt + Shift + S（对于Windows）将开始屏幕共享。
缩放与 Skype(Zoom vs Skype)
虽然Skype 和 Zoom(Skype and Zoom)都是远程团队的出色协作工具，但它们都不是完美的。这意味着您可能必须同时尝试两种方法，看看哪一种更适合您和您的团队。
这里的普遍共识是，虽然Skype在企业中得到了更多的认可，但对于那些需要频繁视频会议和聊天的团队来说， Zoom实际上是一种更好（也更便宜）的工具。(Zoom)因此，如果您正在寻找用于日常交流的应用程序，我们建议您尝试一下Zoom。
如果您已经选择了最适合您的视频通信软件，请告诉我们：您是(communication software)Zoom 团队还是 Skype 团队(Zoom or team Skype)？在下面的评论部分(comment section)分享(Share)您的想法和意见。
How To Set Up & Use Zoom – Is It Better Than Skype?
Vidеo conferenсing tools cаn make both your рersonal and professional соmmunication more efficient, and sаve you timе and effort. That is, of course, if you choose the right tool to use.
Traditionally, people have been choosing Skype as their go-to software when it comes to telecommunications. But while it’s a great easy-to-use app, it also comes with certain limitations, like having to pay for some essential features or the unnecessary complicated process of changing your Skype name.
If you’re considering migrating from Skype to a different video conference service, take a look at its biggest competitor Zoom. The main reasons to choose it over other software include the ease of use, cheap price, and of course the fact that only one person needs to download the software in order to create the meeting. Everyone else can simply follow the link and jump on it without any hassle.
How To Set Up Zoom
By far the most attractive feature that Zoom has is the user ability to join a meeting without having to install any software or go through the registration process at all. However, when you’re the one creating a Zoom meeting you will still have to set it up and invite other participants.
In order to get started with setting up Zoom, follow these steps:
- Head over the the app’s main website and create an account. On the website, click on the Sign Up button in the upper right corner, enter your email, or use your Facebook or Google account to sign in.
- Once you confirm your email address, follow the link back to Zoom’s website and enter your contact details.
- The next screen will take you to the Invite Colleagues page, where you can invite people to join your Zoom contact list. You can either fill in their details or skip this step to do it later.
- The next step is starting your first meeting to test the software. Click the Start Meeting Now button on the screen, and it will prompt the app’s download.
- Once the download is finished, open the app and sign into your account. You will then be presented with options to start a new meeting, join an already existing meeting, schedule a meeting, or share a screen with your contacts.
When you finish your first Zoom video conference, you can start using the app fully. As we mentioned before, one of the biggest advantages of using Zoom is that other users don’t have to download the app or register on the website to join your meetings.
When you sign up for Zoom, you automatically get the Basic Plan. It’s free and includes unlimited number of meetings that you can start or join, no time limit when it comes to one-on-one meetings and a 40 minute limit on meetings with 3 to 100 people.
You also have an option to upgrade to a Pro, Business, or Enterprise plan starting at $14.99 per month per person.
How to Use Zoom Like a Pro
When you start using Zoom, you’ll see how intuitive the app is and how easy it is to set up and organise video meetings using this software. However, there are a few essential tips that you can use to make better use of this app and make your teamwork even more efficient.
Record Your Meetings For Future Use
Zoom allows you to record your video calls and save them for future use. This is a feature that you’ll find handy for sharing the contents of your meetings with people who couldn’t attend them.
You can choose to save the video locally on your computer or in Zoom’s cloud storage. You’ll find the option to record and save your call in your desktop and web app under My Meeting Settings.
Create Your Meeting’s Attendance Sheet
With Zoom you can generate every meeting’s attendance sheet and keep it for future reference. You will find that information in the report automatically generated after your call is finished.
In order to find that list, go to the Zoom Meetings tab, and search for Reports. Keep in mind that in order to get the attendee list you’re required to be the host of that meeting.
Use The Annotation Tool While Screen Sharing
In addition to being a great video communication software, Zoom is also an excellent screen sharing app. In addition to the ability to see each other’s screen, thanks to the annotation tool, Zoom users can draw on the displayed screen and write comments by highlighting the important parts of it. That way you can give each other instant feedback on the issues discussed.
To access that tool while screen sharing, click on View Options on the top of the screen and choose Annotate.
Use Keyboard Shortcuts
If you want to save time and become a power user, learning keyboard shortcuts is always a great place to start. Zoom is no exception to that rule.
If you use this app on a regular basis, these few shortcuts will save you lots of time.
- Cmd + I (for Mac) or Alt + I (for Windows) will take you straight to the Invite window.
- Cmd + Ctrl + M (for Mac) or Alt + M (for Windows) will mute everyone at the meeting (if you’re the meeting host).
- Cmd + Shift + S (for Mac) or Alt + Shift + S (for Windows) will begin screen sharing.
Zoom vs Skype
While both Skype and Zoom are great collaboration tools for remote teams, neither of them is perfect. Meaning you might have to try both and see which one works better for you and your team specifically.
The general consensus here is that while Skype has more recognition among businesses, Zoom is actually a better (and cheaper) tool to use for those teams that require frequent video meetings and chats. So if you’re looking for an app for day-to-day communication, we recommend giving Zoom a try.
If you’ve already made the choice what video communication software is best for you, tell us: are you team Zoom or team Skype? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section below.
