How do I sign into a demonstration?

It’s safe to say that all woodturning Interactive Remote Demonstrations (IRD) are carried out using  Zoom “Meeting” or “Webinar” formats (see www.zoom.us). When presenting my demonstrations, I do so via Zoom in their Meeting format. When I schedule a Zoom meeting, Zoom assigns a unique meeting number and password to that meeting for security reasons. Both the meeting number and password are contained in a link that will allow anyone with that link to join the meeting. Please do not share that link with anyone.

The day before the demonstration I email everyone a Zoom invitation that contains that link as well as the actual meeting number and password. The invitation shows the start time of the meeting one hour earlier than the actual start time. I do that so that I can be ready and waiting for people to sign in, preferably 15 to 30 minutes before the start time. Usually we get to visit a bit, talk about your expectations; things like that.

When you go to Zoom’s website for the first time it will download a program that allows you to join meetings. That download usually take less than a minute and only happens the first time. On their home page you will see a “Join Meeting” tab at the top of the page. Clicking on that tab brings up a box that has a space for “Meeting ID or Personal Link Name”. Enter the meeting link in that box then click “Join Meeting”.

Before entering the meeting you will be in a “waiting room” but will be admitted momentarily. You may be shown how to change your name if you show up as “Linda’s Laptop” or “B&GW”. From that point on it’s pretty much like being at any ordinary meeting. Take the time to explore the task bar at the bottom and the small icons at the top right and left of the screen.