| How to Stay Connected Using Zoom Posted: 23 Oct 2020 01:00 AM PDT Staying home to fight the coronavirus pandemic likely makes you miss your friends and family. Additionally, you may be working from home to help limit the spread of the virus. Fortunately, you can use Zoom to connect with your friends and coworkers. With a free account, you can have an unlimited amount of 40-minute long face-to-face video meetings with up to 100 participants. When your 40-minute meeting ends, create another one if you want to keep the party going! [Edit]Creating a Zoom Account - Enter your email to sign up for a free account. Go to Zoom's website and enter your email account in the space provided. Click on the button that says "Sign up, It's Free" to get an email sent to your account.[1]
- Open the Zoom email to create your account. Go to your email and click on the email sent by Zoom. Follow the instructions in the email to verify your account. Provide your name and a password to complete your free profile.[3]
- If you want more features, you can upgrade your account for $14.99 a month. However, a free account is all you need to stay connected with the people you care about.
- Download the Zoom meetings software to your computer and devices. After you have an account, visit the Zoom download's page to access the free software. Look at the top of the webpage for Zoom Client for Meetings. Then, click the "download" button to install it on your computer, tablet, and/or mobile phone.[4]
- Sign in to your Zoom account. Go back to the Zoom website and click on the "Sign In" link in the top right corner. Enter your email and password to sign into your free account. You can now use Zoom meetings to connect with your friends, family, or coworkers.[5]
- Check that your webcam and mic are working. You'll need a webcam and mic on your device to participate in a Zoom meeting. Test yours out to make sure they work.[6]
- If you don't have a working webcam and mic, you can purchase an external cam and/or headset to make Zoom functional for you.
[Edit]Spending Time with Friends and Family - Host a Zoom dinner party. Schedule a time for your dinner party, then set up a meeting in Zoom. Send all of your invitees a link to your meeting and tell them when to log on. Ask each person to prepare their meal in time to join the group dinner party.[7]
- For households with multiple members, ask them to place their computer, tablet, phone or webcam at the end of the table so each family member is visible in the feed.
- If you're doing a family party, you might encourage everyone to make a cherished family recipe.
- Enjoy a drink together like old times using a Zoom meeting. If you'd normally meet up with your friends for happy hour or drinks on the weekend, move your social hour online instead. Choose a time that works for all of your friends, then create a meeting in Zoom and send everyone the link. Gather around your computers, tablets, or phones at the designated time and sip on your favorite beer, wine, or cocktails.[8]
- Use this time to blow off steam and chat about your lives.
- Schedule a movie night over Zoom. Like many people, you're probably watching a lot of TV shows and movies right now. Make your TV time more fun by sharing it with friends or family. Pick a movie or TV show to watch together, then host a watch party over Zoom. Encourage each person to snack on their favorite popcorn or candy for added fun.[9]
- Share your reactions to the movie or TV show with your friends or family.
- Show each other your snacks or treats.
- Discuss the movie or TV show afterwards.
- Use Zoom to discuss or participate in a shared interest or hobby. You and your friends or family members likely have some shared interests you can explore on Zoom. Talk to your friends and family about what interests or hobbies they'd like to discuss or do together. Tell everyone what the topic will be before the meeting so they can be prepared. Here are some ideas:[10]
- Host a book club meeting.
- Discuss ideas and recipes for brewing your own beer.
- Knit.
- Play improv games.
- Do a reading of a play.
- Build Lego projects.
- Draw or paint together.
- Share and critique stories or poems.
- Discuss your pets or children.
- Play a role-playing game, online game, or board game together. You might think game nights are out of the question right now, but it's totally possible to host one online. Pick a game with your friends or family members, and schedule a time for game night. Here are some ideas for games you could play:[11]
- Role-playing games are easy because only the game master needs to have the materials.
- Online games also work well if everyone has a gaming account.
- Tabletop games can work if everyone has the same game. You could also play a game that uses dice if everyone has a set of dice. Have one person move all of the pieces on the board, but let each player roll their own dice.
- If someone has access to Jackbox games, everyone can play using the shared-screen function.
- Host a karaoke night using a Zoom meeting. Singing karaoke together can take your online party to the next level. Ask each invitee to look up their favorite karaoke songs on YouTube. Then, have the person singing share their screen so everyone can see the song lyrics during the performance.[12]
- You can choose to skip the screen sharing part if you prefer.
- Treat this like any other karaoke night by enjoying the drinks and snacks you'd usually consume with your friends or family.
[Edit]Working and Connecting with Coworkers - Use a virtual background to hide your home if you like. You don't need to worry about whether or not your house is clean or your kids are running around. If you're concerned about people seeing inside your home, activate a Zoom virtual background. Other users will see the virtual background behind you instead of what's really there.[13]
- Zoom has a lot of options ranging from plain backgrounds to destinations.
- Mute and unmute yourself as needed to help protect your privacy. During your work meetings, it's easy to mute and unmute your mic using either your mouse or your space bar. Simply click on the "mute" button or press the space bar.[14]
- The mute function is great for blocking out noise from your children or pets. Plus, your work group can limit background noise if people mute when they aren't talking.
- Host work meetings on Zoom so employees can collaborate. Schedule your work meetings with coworkers, then send everyone a link to the Zoom meeting. While in a Zoom meeting, users can do screen sharing to boost collaboration. It's even possible for multiple team members to share their screens with each other so all team members can see the same information.[15]
- There's also a chat function in the meeting if members prefer to send each other typed messages while they're collaborating.
- Do a webinar if you're conducting a slide presentation. Zoom's webinar function works best for slide presentations because this format puts the focus on your presentation and shares it to each viewer's screen. You'll still be able to see your attendee's faces along the side bar during the presentation. Additionally, attendees can still make comments.[16]
- You can also record your webinar so people can watch the presentation later if they miss it.
- Socialize on Zoom to help maintain work relationships. You probably miss hanging out with your coworkers, and Zoom can help with that, as well. In addition to work meetings and webinars, schedule social meetups on Zoom so you and your coworkers can stay connected. Here are some ideas:[17]
- Schedule a weekly "lunch" with your coworkers using a Zoom meeting.
- Enjoy a "happy hour" on Zoom.
- Host a casual networking event or "get to know" you party.
- Do a training or continuing education program together.
- Introduce your pets to each other.
- Try out different types of events so you and the people important to you feel like you have active social lives.
- Make sure the times you pick work for everyone in your group. Some of your friends may still be working, so choose a time that works for them.
- Don't give up on Zoom if the first few meetings are a bit rocky. It may take time for everyone to learn how to best use this tool for staying connected.
[Edit]References |
| How to Cancel a Credit Card Posted: 22 Oct 2020 05:00 PM PDT If your credit card is costing you too much money or you just have too many of them, you may decide that it's time to close the account. This is a relatively easy process that can be done almost entirely over the phone. Because canceling a credit card can affect your credit score, it's important to be strategic about it and do whatever you can to defend your credit. [Edit]Contacting Your Credit Card Issuer to Cancel the Card - Pay it off first. Before you cancel your credit card, it's a good idea to make sure that you pay off the existing balance and stop using the card. If you can't afford to pay it off, you can transfer the balance to another card that you do not plan on canceling.[1]
- When you call to cancel your card, confirm that there is no balance on it.
- In addition to paying off your balance, you should also make sure that you cash out all of your rewards. If you forget to do this, they will likely be lost forever.
- Call the customer service department. In order to cancel your card, you will need to contact the issuer's customer service department. The number can usually be found on the back of your card, on your bill, and online. Once you are connected to a customer service agent, let them know that you would like to close your account.[2]
- Have your credit card and a bill in front of you when you call. This will ensure that you will have all of the information you will need.
- The representative may ask you why you want to close the account. You can give any reason you like, including that you do not use the card. It is your right to close the account for any reason at all.
- If possible, get the representative's name or ID number and write it down, just in case you have problems later.[3]
- Consider the counter-offer. When you call to cancel your card, the issuer may offer you something, such as a lower interest rate or more rewards points, to keep you as a customer. It may or may not be worth it to consider this offer, depending on why you want to cancel the card in the first place.[4]
- It's a good idea to think about what it would take to change your mind about canceling before you call. This will make it easier for you to stand your ground if the offer isn't good enough.
- If the offer is good, you may want to consider canceling a different credit card instead.
- If you're on the fence about closing the card, you can try calling the customer service department and bargaining with them for better terms. For example, you might say, "I plan on canceling this card unless you can lower my interest rate to 15%."
- Confirm the cancellation in writing. If you end up canceling your card over the phone, it's always a good idea to send the company a letter as well. This will help ensure that the account is really canceled, even if the customer service agent you spoke to makes a mistake.[5]
- The letter must include your name, address, and credit card account number.
- Include the date that you canceled the card and the name of the representative you spoke to in your letter, and request that the company send you a written confirmation letter indicating that the card has been canceled.
- You may want to include proof of your final payment, such as a copy of a check.
- Send the letter by certified mail with a return receipt.
[Edit]Protecting Your Credit Score When You Cancel a Credit Card - Pick the right time to cancel. Since canceling a credit card can influence your credit score, it's important to be strategic about when you do it. Avoid closing any accounts if you are in the process applying for new credit.[6]
- If you are planning to buy a house or a new car, wait until after the loan is finalized to cancel your card.
- Consider off-setting the cancellation. In order to avoid hurting your credit score by canceling a card, you may want to off-set it by increasing your credit limit in another way. This will keep your credit utilization rate constant.[7]
- You can do this by opening a new card or requesting a balance increase on an existing card.
- If you have good credit and low balances on your cards, this is less important. Closing a credit card should only have a small impact on your credit score.
- Choose the right cards to cancel. If you want to cancel a credit card simply because you have too many of them, it's important to think carefully about which one you should cancel. Canceling the wrong card could end up costing you more money or damaging your credit score unnecessarily.[8]
- Cards that charge annual fees or have very high interest rates are usually the best options (unless these cards come with benefits that outweigh the high costs).
- Canceling the credit card that you have had for the longest is usually a bad idea because continuous credit looks good on your credit report.
- Look at your credit report after canceling. After you cancel your credit card, it's a good idea to request a copy of your credit report and look at it carefully to confirm that it reflects the fact that you have canceled the card. It should not say that the account was closed by the issuer, as this will look bad to other creditors.[9]
- If your credit report is inaccurate, you will need to contact the credit card company's customer service department again and ask them to correct the way in which they reported the closure of the account to the credit reporting agency. Be sure to check your report again to make sure they fixed the problem.
- Once you've canceled your credit card, you can dispose of it by shredding it or cutting it into small pieces and putting it in the trash.
- There's no way to predict exactly how much of an effect canceling a card will have on your credit score, as it is considered along with many other factors. This is why it's best to avoid closing any accounts right before you plan on applying for a big loan.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Knitting Pattern Posted: 22 Oct 2020 09:00 AM PDT A knitting pattern is what you might follow if you're creating a specific project, and it gives you all the details you need to knit the item perfectly. Making your own knitting pattern is fairly simple and can be done several different ways depending on which method you like best. The most important things are to choose a project, sketch out your idea, and use something like graph paper to design your stitches. [Edit]Choosing a Project - Choose an item that you'll base your pattern on. Decide what your project will be, such as a scarf, sweater, hat, blanket, or any other type of project you can think of. Deciding what your item will be is important so that you can focus on planning a pattern designed just for it.[1]
- For example, you might look for knitting projects or patterns on Pinterest.
- If you're not sure yet what you'd like to knit, look at inspiration in magazines or online.
- Select yarn that's right for your project. Pick out a yarn that coincides with your project and makes sense for the item you're designing. For example, if you're knitting a winter hat, you'll want a thicker, warm yarn. If you're making a summer shawl, you'd pick out a lightweight yarn in a color like white, yellow, or bright pink.[2]
- Yarns come in lots of different textures, from super soft to more rigid.
- Make sure the type of yarn you use for your project is machine-washable if needed.
- Create a quick sketch to help you envision your idea. Get out a pencil and paper and start drawing your idea, both how it would look in its final form and some ideas for stitches you'd like to use. This will help you brainstorm and create a rough pattern.[3]
- For example, you might sketch the silhouette of your project first and then fill it in with more specific details and stitching.
- You might sketch out several different pattern options, too.
- Write down the planned measurements of your project. Decide how many inches or centimeters you'd like your project to be, even if it's just an estimate. Use a measuring tape to help you decide and jot the dimensions down on a piece of paper to refer to later. This will help you figure out how many rows and stitches you'll need for your project.[4]
- For example, you might decide how long you'd like a scarf to be or what size shirt to knit.
[Edit]Making Test Swatches - Knit swatches to test out your pattern ideas. Create two swatches: one made of all regular stitches so you get an idea of the sizing, and another that helps you test out your specific pattern. A swatch is a little sample of your project that you can use for measuring and experimentation. Make swatches that are at least so they're wide enough to be useful.[5]
- The swatch will tell you how your yarn works with the specific stitch and knitting needles you're using, and you can use the swatch to determine how many rows and stitches you'll need for your project.
- Keep all of the swatches you make so you can refer to them later if needed.
- It's best to repeat your stitch pattern at least twice on the swatch for an accurate test.
- Block your swatches to learn what happens to them in water or steam. Blocking is when you wet, steam, or iron your swatch, depending on what the item will be, so you can test the yarn and see how it reacts. Once your swatches are finished, wash and dry them so you know how your project will turn out once it's being used. If your yarn ends up shrinking or expanding, you'll know that you need to adjust your pattern to add more stitches or take some away.[6]
- Treat your swatch just like you'll treat your final knit item.
- Measure your swatch's stitches and rows to plan your project. Use your swatch as a gauge for your actual project. For example, use the regularly knit swatch to find out how many stitches are in , and then multiply this by your project's expected length to find out how many stitches total that you'll need.[7]
- If you're measuring in centimeters, it's easiest to measure the stitches per .
[Edit]Designing the Pattern - Give a brief description of the project. Write what the pattern will create and give a few more details to help the person using the pattern decide if it's right for them, like what the item can be used for. Tell them how difficult or easy the pattern is and how long it takes to make the item as well.[8]
- For example, you might write, "This pattern creates a baby blanket that's . It's a great pattern for beginners and only takes 3 hours total to complete."
- Add any tips that might be helpful when they're using the pattern too.
- Tell what kind of yarn and needles to use. Be specific when you list the type of needles, putting the exact size that you recommend for the pattern. Write down the type of yarn you used as well, noting the specific brand and how much yarn it'll take to complete the whole project.[9]
- You could even suggest a few alternative yarns that would work well with the project too.
- You might say, "Use a long needle with a width of .
- Explain how many stitches to knit per row. Write each row number and how many stitches the row has right next to its number. This is one of the most important parts of the pattern, so make sure it's as accurate as possible.[10]
- For example, you might write, "Row 10: 17 stitches."
- Note what kind of stitch to use for each row. The simplest stitch is the knit stitch, but your pattern might include others like a rib stitch, cable stitch, or purl stitch. Write the specific type of stitch right next to the row number. If the row has several different kinds of stitches, write how many of each stitch is on each row.[11]
- Draw your pattern on graph paper for a visual representation. Pretend like you're knitting using the graph paper and have each box on the paper represent a stitch. Start at the bottom of the paper and mark each box going across in a horizontal line to show the number and type of stitch that's used in the pattern. For example, if a row has 14 stitches total, start at the bottom left of the graph paper and mark 14 boxes across to show the stitches.[12]
- You might draw an 'X' in the box to represent a knit stitch in the pattern, or a dot in the box to represent a crossover stitch.
- Mark your next row of stitches on top of the first row.
- Use an online program to design the pattern quickly and easily. Using an online knitting pattern website is similar to using regular graph paper in that you mark a grid to show your number of stitches and rows. Instead of marking each box with a pencil, fill in the boxes online using a keyboard.[13]
- There are several different websites you can go to that will create your knitting pattern for you this way.
- It's also easy to mimic graph paper in a regular online document to create the pattern yourself.
- Doing your pattern online makes it easy to change if needed.
- Describe your pattern in words row by row for a detailed approach. If you decide to write out your entire pattern instead of show it in a graph form, be super detailed and explain each stitch that you use as well as how many. Make it clear how the knitter begins and walk them through every step and every row. For instance, you might say, "Cast 20 stitches and knit using a regular stitch for 7 rows."[14]
- Look at professional knitting patterns for more examples of this.
- Test the pattern out by knitting it completely. Once you've sketched your idea and written out the pattern, it's time to put your plan into action. Knit the entire piece until it's finished, taking notes as you go of things you might do differently or things that worked well. Once you're completely finished, you can critique your piece to see if your pattern was helpful enough.[15]
- Expect to find things you'd like to change as you're knitting, and even when you're done, to make your project even better.
- Take pictures of the project once you're finished to include in the pattern.
[Edit]References |
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