Tag: tech

Quick Tips: Zoom Permissions

Posted on by Mr John

Zoom logo, a white camera on a blue field

Zoom Logo

Hi Net Neighbor!

Welcome to the first of what I hope are many Quick Tips. Quick Tips are quick little tidbits of information. They’re easily digestible and, hopefully, help a little too. This Quick Tip is on Zoom, or more precisely a portion of Zoom that can trip people up; permissions.

If you don’t use Zoom often you might find yourself getting unnerved when your phone or tablet tells you Zoom wants permission to use your camera and audio. It’s a reasonable thing to be worried about, for so long we have been told to not let apps or programs, or really anything, have access to our devices. So many crime shows warn against this very thing. And while I do not want you to throw caution to the wind, for today’s Corner Tip I would like to promote a little more trust.

Zoom is not asking for these things because it is being nosy. They aren’t trying to open a gate into your device to steal your information. No, instead they are asking your permission to use your stuff to do the thing you want to do. When Zoom wants permission to use your camera, it is so your friends and loved ones can see you. And when it asks to use your audio it’s so you can hear and be heard. If you want to use Zoom you’ll have to say yes.

Don’t worry about leaving a hole for someone to crawl in, Zoom asks every time. In this way they are good Net Neighbors and it is up to us to treat them as such. Besides, you can always turn off your camera or mute your audio after the fact.

That’s all for now, I’ll see you around the neighborhood.

Until then, have fun, find adventure, and be safe.

New Year, New Tech

Posted on by Mr John

Hi Net Neighbors!

I’ve been around the block a while now and with every new year that passes I see more and more people being given new tech for the holidays. Oh the number of people I’ve encountered who held a new tablet or computer, their eyes wide and weary, and say, “My kid gave this to me for Christmas and I don’t know what to do with it.” If this is you, then I want you to remember a few things.

1) It’s okay that you don’t know everything about it. After all, you don’t know Esperanto and no one gives you gruff about that.

2) You are NEVER too old to learn something new. In fact, learning new things is good for you and your brain.

3) There is no timetable for learning. No one learns the same way or at the same speed. If you are having problems learning something don’t beat yourself up, you just haven’t found your way.

4) Reach out to others. Ask them to SHOW you not just do it. If you are working with someone younger, remind them about point 3. You might even need to remind them it took twice as long for them to be potty trained as their sibling, and that is a far more vital skill than knowing how to download an app.

5) While books can be a great way to learn, by their very nature they are always going to be behind the march of technology. Don’t be afraid to look at YouTube videos or sites like this.

6) No one, not even me, knows everything about technology and the Net Neighborhood and that’s okay. To this day I’ll look for the answers to my questions.

7) Nothing is supposed to “just work”. Cars act up, lights turn off, ovens have to be set five degrees hotter because the gauge is a little off. Why then do you think your phone or tablet is different?.

8) And finally, if you’re getting frustrated then set it down. No one learns when they’re frustrated. Set it down, do something else, and come back when you’re clear headed.

That’s all for now Net Neighbors. Remember to breathe, to have fun, and I’ll see you around the Net Neighborhood.