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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2020 14:50:10 GMT 12
I am just floating a bit of an idea here. Today I was part of the recording of The Airplane Geeks Podcast's 600th episode, which was done via Zoom and had around 50 participants all connected on a video conference call, chatting and discussing aviation topics. It was pretty cool, and it gave me an idea. I'd never used (or even seen) Zoom before but it seems great way for a group of people to connect. We had people on the call from across the USA, Canada, the UK, Aussie and at least three from New Zealand (myself, Errol Cavit and Glen Towler).
The idea came to me that perhaps to relieve some boredom in the lockdown we could have a WONZ Isolation Forum Meet using Zoom. Anyone interested could tune in and listen, ask questions, talk about aviation topics, etc. Or maybe we could even line up a couple of speakers like a regular forum meet? I'd be host and moderator, to control how the thing works. We can also record it for people to listen to or watch late too if they missed it.
What do you all think? Is it doable? Are you keen to be part of it?
I do not know anything about Zoom so would have to find out how to host one of these conference calls, and probably have to have a practice too. But if you're keen, and have any ideas or tips, please post your thoughts here.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2020 14:52:49 GMT 12
Perhaps we could do it on ANZAC Day?
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Post by Venomnut on Apr 21, 2020 16:01:48 GMT 12
You could also make it 'The Forum episode 6'?
Mikey from Plane Savers does a live YouTube chat every week and he's had 3 guests on at once with a 4 way split screen and people type in questions. Another option instead of zoom perhaps?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2020 16:09:22 GMT 12
That's a great idea regarding The Forum 6.
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Post by Venomnut on Apr 21, 2020 16:23:19 GMT 12
That's a great idea regarding The Forum 6. Thanks, I was well overdue for a great idea.
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Post by highflyer on Apr 21, 2020 17:12:40 GMT 12
I am just floating a bit of an idea here. Today I was part of the recording of The Airplane Geeks Podcast's 600th episode, which was done via Zoom and had around 50 participants all connected on a video conference call, chatting and discussing aviation topics. It was pretty cool, and it gave me an idea. I'd never used (or even seen) Zoom before but it seems great way for a group of people to connect. We had people on the call from across the USA, Canada, the UK, Aussie and at least three from New Zealand (myself, Errol Cavit and Glen Towler). The idea came to me that perhaps to relieve some boredom in the lockdown we could have a WONZ Isolation Forum Meet using Zoom. Anyone interested could tune in and listen, ask questions, talk about aviation topics, etc. Or maybe we could even line up a couple of speakers like a regular forum meet? I'd be host and moderator, to control how the thing works. We can also record it for people to listen to or watch late too if they missed it. What do you all think? Is it doable? Are you keen to be part of it? I do not know anything about Zoom so would have to find out how to host one of these conference calls, and probably have to have a practice too. But if you're keen, and have any ideas or tips, please post your thoughts here.
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Post by highflyer on Apr 21, 2020 17:15:56 GMT 12
Hi Dave, I am just getting into Zoom with both my U3A committee and also our Probus Club. Very do-able! even for first timers,we are finding a very much "senior' group are getting proficient literally on first attempt. Great idea! Cheers...... Paul
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2020 17:29:14 GMT 12
That is great to hear.
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flyingpom
Flying Officer
Their finest hour
Posts: 65
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Post by flyingpom on Apr 22, 2020 13:57:44 GMT 12
We have done a couple of Zoom things since lock down and it seems ok. Keen to attend a Forum one. Mel & Kev
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Post by vultee43 on Apr 22, 2020 20:23:28 GMT 12
Been doing Zoom forums for other topics. Could work really well as long as you have a moderator (found we needed that to stay on topic) but it would also allow forum members to meet in 'person' for the first time, especially those who for geographical or time poor reasons can not make it to a meet. Might help to bring the community together and turn a negative into a positive.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 22, 2020 23:14:07 GMT 12
Yes. That's the plan.
I need to work out the technical side of things before we can commit to this. It may well be next week before we do it.
Also I am wondering if we should have a couple of 'guest speakers' who can give a 10 to 15 minute talk on an interesting NZ aviation topic, with questions from the floor afterwards? Would that be a good idea? And if so, any volunteers?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2020 23:47:25 GMT 12
I’d like to take part. It would do me some good to socialise a little more! I’ve not used Zoom but I’m happy to give it a try.
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Post by flyinkiwi on Apr 23, 2020 9:16:47 GMT 12
The basic (i.e. free) version of Zoom has some pretty heavy restrictions on attendee numbers and has a maximum meeting length of 40 minutes. There are alternatives like Google Hangouts or Skype, but in my opinion (as an IT professional) Zoom is the best solution for several reasons I won't bore you with.
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Post by ErrolC on Apr 23, 2020 9:22:29 GMT 12
The basic (i.e. free) version of Zoom has some pretty heavy restrictions on attendee numbers and has a maximum meeting length of 40 minutes. There are alternatives like Google Hangouts or Skype, but in my opinion (as an IT professional) Zoom is the best solution for several reasons I won't bore you with. This isn't being applied for the time being. A message pops up, so people won't get too annoyed when they return to normal settings.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 26, 2020 16:04:58 GMT 12
I am afraid I have not progressed this very far yet as I have been distracted with lots of other projects going on and research questions coming in to find answers to (it's amazing how the lockdown seems to have gotten loads of people spending time hunting out family history which is great!).
I need someone who actually knows what they are doing with Zoom to help please if possible. It's a totally new thing to me. nd maybe we can have a few people do a trial run to iron out the bug before the real thing too.
I also need to know what people prefer - a weekday, weeknight, weekend?
And do we want a couple of guest speakers to give talks with questions afterwards? I'm keen on that idea.
Do we also want a period for free-for-all discussion on aviation topics?
Is there anything else people would like to suggest?
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 7, 2020 22:08:48 GMT 12
Hi everyone, sorry for the delay on this. But I am pleased to say I found a guru who knows how this Zoom stuff works, and he's given me a test run and some great lessons tonight, and he's also going to help with the technical side during the event, so thank you Phil Treweek! Phil usually attends all our Forum Meets and is normally our official photographer so it's great to have him onboard with this new kind of Forum Meet too. Plus he's a real life computer scientist so it helps to have a proper boffin on the team. At this stage we're thinking of hosting the Virtual Forum Meet on Sunday the 17th of May 2020, starting at 1.00pm, New Zealand time. In order for you to be a part of it you will need to register with me by emailing me at dave_daasnz@hotmail.comYou must email me so I can send you the link to the Zoom meeting. I won't be publishing the link, and we ask anyone who receives the link not to post it anywhere s that we do not get Zoom crashers. If you're keen to join in, email me now to register. I m still trying to sort out a couple of speakers so will update you all here when more is confirmed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 8, 2020 21:47:50 GMT 12
I have just sent out a group email to all 6000+ members mentioning this event and so it's gotta happen now.
And I have booked the first speaker for the event, Charles Davis of Wellington talking about his BAC167 Strikemaster. That will be great!
Register if you want to join in, by emailing me at dave_daasnz@hotmail.com
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 10, 2020 14:31:54 GMT 12
I have just had a practice session on Zoom with Phil Treweek and the three guest speakers so we can all get comfortable with the technology, and it went very well. I think next Sunday's Forum Meet is going to be really brilliant. I can now announce that the guest speakers are: - Mike Nicholls - giving an update on the late John Smith's collection of warbirds - James Kightly - giving a talk on the archaeological survey of a crashed Brewster Buffalo - Charles Davis - giving a talk on his BAC167 Strikemaster The speakers will give their presentations and then take questions at the end, just like at a regular Forum Meet. We'll also have some discussion points for everyone to join in on. We reckon it's going to be a fun way to spend an afternoon. Remember if you want to be part of this you MUST EMAIL ME to register and get the link into the event at dave_daasnz@hotmail.comNB: If you're worried the technology will be too much for you, don't be. If I could work it out anyone can. All you need is a decent internet connection, and preferably a webcam with mic so everyone can see you and hear you. You will be sent a link and at the assigned time you follow the link, download the app if you do not already have it, turn on your computer's sound, and you're in the meeting.
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Post by Venomnut on May 10, 2020 15:30:37 GMT 12
Dave, will you upload the video to YouTube in the future for those that can't participate at the time to watch it later?
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 10, 2020 15:51:57 GMT 12
I did a recording test today and it recorded audio perfectly but I don't think it recorded video. There should hopefully be at least audio available afterwards, hopefully.
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