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As online/hybrid technology keeps improving, we see more options to conduct effective hybrid meetings. Most high-end conference systems (such as the “MeetingOwl”) cost around $1,000 and provide an all-in-one solution that you just plug into your laptop and you are done. The MAXHUB UC M40 is an interesting alternative that costs half as much. It […]

Build the bridge between online and physical meetings with the right setup [This article on hybrid meetings was commissioned by Toastmasters International] Adaptation has become the new normal for countries all over the world. As Toastmasters, we adapted to online meetings in 2020. Now, a year later, another change – hybrid meetings. Health authorities across countries

It has been 1 year since clubs were forced to switch to online meetings and members had to learn skills to conduct meetings and club business using ZOOM. Based on the current situation, we can expect this status quo to continue for another 6-12 months. Most of us have the rudimentary knowledge of joining and

Toastmasters International just announced an update to their popular Speechcraft program. Speechcraft is a program designed to get participants comfortable with public speaking with a 8-session program focusing on basic skills in delivering public speeches. The program was traditionally conducted using manuals. To keep it up to date with modern tools and technology, the program

If you do online training or content creation, you should consider using green screen to mask out the background and replace it with image/video of your choice using chroma key. There are a number of options available in the market starting with classic green screens that you can set up permanently; to pop-up green screens

With everyone trying to improve their online presence due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is no surprise that many are using dSLRs as webcams to get the best image quality. Most manufactures have worked extra hard in 2020 to provide webcam utility to convert their cameras as webcams. Nikon is no exception, and they

With every camera manufacturer releasing software to convert their devices into webcam due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdown, GoPro has joined the bandwagon. The webcam utility can be downloaded by clicking on this link. As of this writing, the software is compatible only with GoPro HERO 8 and HERO 9. I always

Up until now, any task related to Breakout rooms in a ZOOM online meeting had to be handled by the host. This could get hectic in large events where multiple breakout rooms need to be managed. With the release of ZOOM version 5.4.6, all designated co-hosts can also manage breakout rooms. This allows a dedicated

OBS (Open Broadcast Software) is a nifty piece of software that you can download for free at www.obsproject.com. It is the go-to-choice for streamers and content creators due to its flexibility and ability to extend the functionality with add-ons. It also has a neat feature that converts any ‘scene’ into a virtual camera that can

Toastmasters International (www.toastmasters.org) is a great organization to improve your communication and leadership skills. You take your first step by visiting a local club. You can find clubs nearby using the ‘Find a club’ link. If you like the club, you sign up as a member by paying the required membership fee. Once you join