Use your Mute button!

 What's your favorite videoconferencing app?  Zoom? FaceTime? Google Meet? Skype? Facebook Messenger? 

Videoconferencing has certainly thrived the last 6 months, not just for businesses but for most of us personally.  And, many of us have become fairly comfortable with these applications, I think.

But, do you know someone who never mutes themselves?  Can you hear their TV, telephone, background music or a dog barking?  If so, maybe you can share today's tip with them: 
 
Use the mute button when you are not talking during a group videoconference.  Leave it on Mute until you are ready to speak.  Often you can't hear your own background noise, but everyone else can.  Don't know where the mute button is located?  Read further:

On a computer, mouse over the screen until you see a button or a microphone icon for "Audio".  Once you click on the "button" you should see a line through a microphone.  That indicates your audio is off and no one can hear you or what is going on in your home.
If you're using a mobile device, touch the screen with your finger to make all the buttons/tools viewable.  A microphone should appear with the word "Mute" underneath it.  Tap it to turn audio off and you will see a slash through the icon.  When you are ready to talk, tap the same icon again. 

I don't think people mean to be rude; they just don't know how to use all of the controls/buttons in the app.  You can be a friend and gently offer this tip to those who may need it.  :-)

Happy beautiful-fall-day Tech Tuesday!