Story by David Danto / Co-Author Bryan Hellard
Coauthored with my colleague Bryan Hellard, Director of Engineering at Array Telepresence.
Continuing our top 10 pieces of advice that few people heed, we’re going to delve into what UC users tend to ignore when collaborating online. Numbers 1 to 5covered setting up the technology. Ignore those useful nuggets at your peril.
6. Know what you look like. Be sure to be in the camera’s field of view.
A few years ago, it became popular to omit or not use “self-view” with video systems. Bad idea. Although looking at one’s self may be distracting for a bit (especially if a participant is self-conscious), it is much better than when those on the far side only see half your face…or see you from your shoes to your knees…or see you on a shot so zoomed-out from across the room that you might as well be using a lousy webcam. Before the conference starts, make sure you’re within the camera’s field of view with an acceptable shot. Otherwise, it makes videoconferencing pointless.
7. Don’t be distracting, and if you have to make noise, use the mute button.
Listening to someone eat, shuffle papers or have a side conversation while trying to pay attention to someone speaking is a horrible experience. All the sounds come out of the speaker relatively equally. It’s a lot of unnecessary work trying to stay with a presentation while someone is serenading us with his lunch. Don’t be that someone. (Bryan wrote ablog about just such an experience.)
