Working during a pandemic

Just like everybody else, quarantine has forced me to learn how to hold and participate in good and productive video meetings.

Here I am sharing what I have learned so far.

Few basic rules of safe use of video chats

Share the meeting number only with the participants of your (zoom) meeting.
Use a meeting password.
As a meeting organizer, keep an eye on the dialed-in participants. React immediately if an uninvited participant appears.
Do not transfer files via the video conference system.
Behave in chats in such a way that the information could also become public.
Even in the private chat between you and one other meeting attendee.
Like always: Do not click on “Funny Links”
A recording of the video conference requires the explicit consent of all participants.
Make it clear in the meeting invitation if you plan to record the meeting and ask for consent beforehand.

Mute your microphone when you’re not talking.
Try to be in a well-lit space with little or no background noise.
If you want to ask a question, use the raise hand button in zoom to notify the chairperson.
The chairperson controls the discussion.
The chairperson allows participants to talk when it will be the least disruptive to the presentation or discussion.
The chairperson should make it clear if it is best practice to have the cameras turned on or off.
If there is less than 20 or so attending the meeting, consider asking attendees to keep their cameras on if possible. It allows the discussion to be more natural.
If the meeting is more of a seminar or talk with a larger audience, consider asking the attendees to turn off their cameras when they are not speaking in order to save bandwidth.