The coronavirus quarantine has made people abandon their offices and start working from home. It has also separated us from each other. One of the biggest success stories during this pandemic is Zoom, a chat-room that has gone from almost no one having ever heard of it to being a central instrument in our lives.

And while we all are enjoying the app’s features — most importantly, custom backgrounds and touch up — many of us still aren’t entirely comfortable with the change.

Like, if you get up, the people you’re talking to will see that you forgot you’re not wearing pants, or if your partner decides to kiss you in the middle of the meeting, we can all see. We can see your pets, your kids and anyone that is in your house with you. We can hear everything especially if you forgot to mute yourself.

And that all important Mute button. When the button says “Mute” that means if you click it – you will Mute yourself. If it says “Un Mute” then you were already muted probably by the host – and when you click it you will thus unmute yourself so that others may hear you.

Also, after 8 months of quarantine, you would think that every one would by now know how to Zoom… but, your Zoom meetings may still look like this:

• 1-1:05 – Waiting for the host to start the meeting and admit you
• 1:06 – The Group discovers virtual backgrounds
• 1:07 – Someone is struggling with their audio or their video
• 1:09 – Everyone holds up their cats, their snacks, their beverages
• 1:15-1:25- Actual meeting time
• 1:30 – “Stay Safe!”

Not muting your mic, is the new reply all. And when the host mutes your mic, that is the new talk to the hand. 😉

When working with technology and people… it is always wise to have a sense of humor, remember to breathe and smile every now and then.