Forum Zoom Broadcast
For members who are unable to attend monthly Macarthur Astronomy Forums, a free live Zoom service is provided for you to watch, listen and (if you wish) participate.
Whilst Forum attendance at WSU is available to members and the general public, the Zoom service is provided only to MAS members who cannot get there. So please do not forward your login details to non-members.
Prior to the meeting
MAS members will receive an e-mail containing a Zoom login link.
Please ensure that the Zoom app is installed on your device. If you have already installed it, please check for any software updates.
Logging on
Logging on is simple and easy. Just click on the link which is in the e-mail and you will be taken to the meeting. The link will be normally be activated about 15 minutes prior to the nominal start of the Forum.
Once logged on, there are some simple protocols below that we ask our Zoom participants to follow.
Identification
This is important.
Members who attend the meetings in person at WSU are requested to wear name tags and sign an attendance register. Similarly, when you login via Zoom, it is essential for us to know who you are who is watching with you, if any.
So, after you have logged in, please look for your own image display. This will initially be black but turning your video “on” will display your image and a username.
Please carefully check the displayed username. Does it only display the name of your device? Does it display only part of your name? Is it blank? We would like you to display your full name – and changing the text for the purpose of the meeting is easy:
- hover your mouse over your own image display.
- notice that three small dots will appear.
- click on the dots to reveal a menu.
- select “Rename”
- type in your first name & last name and that of any other family member watching with you.
- depending on your settings, you may have to do this each time you attend
Microphone
If you do not own a microphone, you can still watch and listen.
When you reach the meeting your microphone will initially be set to “off”. You may switch it “on” to speak by using your mouse or by holding down the space-bar on your keyboard while you talk.
At all other times, please keep your microphone switched “off” to avoid broadcasting household conversations, dogs barking and other family activities.
Please never leave your microphone active unless you wish to speak to the meeting.
Camera
When you login to the meeting your camera will initially be set to “off”. You are requested to turn your video “on” initially so that we can see you. When the guest speaker is introduced, the video can then be turned “off” to eliminate any potential for your household activities to be broadcast during the talk.
If you wish to ask a question at the end of the talk, please turn your video “on” and raise your hand (or use the raised hand emoji in the app).
Thank you!