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I know there’s many working from home… and many not, who are using online meeting applications such as Zoom (others are available/being used… such as Webex, MS Teams, etc..)… and recently, I heard a term that really resonated.

Zoom Fatigue.

Zoom – the online meeting application (in this case, can be any online video meeting application)

Fatigue – extreme tiredness resulting from mental or physical exertion or illness.“he was nearly dead with fatigue”

We’re all in a situation where we have needed to isolate. And rightly so. To help save loved ones, not to spread the virus around, etc…

With the technology capability we have, we have been able to use video conferencing to stay in touch with others, continue to work from home, increase the amount of work we do by staying connected, etc…

BUT…. recently, there’s been reports of ‘Zoom Fatigue’. That’s right – people becoming extremely tired because they’re spending alot of time on their on-line meetings.

So…. couple of things you should do,

1. Take a Break – simple right? not really… at work it’s different… you’re surrounded by people, and it’s easier to grab a coffee with a colleague and spend a few minutes away from your desk. You must have the same principles at home. Take a break. Move away from the screen. Maybe call a colleague and have a voice chat with them.
2. Ask how people are – as I said… ask people, how are they? how’s the situation at home?…. if it’s not good – re-schedule that meeting, remember… health first! – It’s important that people feel good, not only physically… but mentally.
3. Get to the point! – If someone is waffling on… stop them! Tell them… get to the point. What is it you are informing me, what are the action points, what is it we need to do, and when does it need to be done. Ask people to keep things simple… and way, everyone can be more efficient and productive.

Finally…. Be Honest. There’s been plenty of calls I’ve been on, where the voice is monotone… speaker doesn’t do themselves any favours…. topic is hard to follow (and not shared in a good order)…. – I usually provide feedback earlier than later. In a constructive manner, off course.

So remember – take care of yourself.

Was speaking to a friend this evening… she’s not enjoying her job, lots going on and I said to her, we gotta follow our passions – we’re not here for long. Time is limited.

During this pandemic… we have some time on our hands. We might be thinking how to make our homes smart…. getting that latest gadget and setting it up…. or even understanding what we do and what technology can be introduced to make it better!

But do we always need the latest technology? – as this is a tech blog, I should really say yes.

But in reality… you can use low tech for the current lock down.

What do you mean by low tech Bal?

Technology that isn’t complicated. We can have simple tech. Or even old tech…. just get back to basics and start to think about how things really work and if there could be improvements…

Above is slight humor but we could write more, draw more… or use some low tech with new tech?

Using a mirror with tik tok videos? (If you’re not on tik tok…maybe now is the time?!)

We all have low tech items… the question is, can we use them with new tech or even use them on their own to understand the fundamentals and basics.

But why look at low tech, Bal?

Because – we could make a leap over current tech.

You know how Steve Jobs was annoyed with his cd player? – the cd kept jumping… which led him to think about the solid state disk… which then led him to the mp3 player… iPod.

The other day, I was asked – “Bal, what do you use for video conferencing?”

Well, I use Cisco WebEx (preferred) and then for my football training (in current circumstances) I use Zoom. I have used Skype but not a fan of it, and there’s plenty more I know exist.

For fun… with the family, I use Houseparty!

Houseparty is a video calling app – but you can do more, like play games and have some fun.

You can ‘wave’ at friends, message them and more besides the obvious video call.

Houseparty has grown in both value and audience size in recent weeks – especially with this lockdown going on, across most of the World… for example, there were 130,000 downloads in early Feb compared to 2,000,000 in mid-March!

However…. recently, there were a number of ‘rumours’ about the app was hacking into other apps, money being transferred from bank accounts, Spotify playlists going missing, etc…

Then all of a sudden, everyone started to delete the app!

The owner of video chat and game app Houseparty is offering a $1m (£810,750) reward for evidence the company was the victim of a commercial smear campaign.

Sad to see fake news and such a smear campaign spread so quickly and also for many people to believe it so quickly – but today, everyone is worried about scams, phishing etc… security is paramount!

But… before you start believing everyone else, look at some of the facts first – is there an official statement from the company?

If you’re Netflix or Spotify has been hacked, how can that be if there is no link between Houseparty and those apps? And if the company are putting up a reward (sizeable) for someone to come forward and show the evidence…. (and no one has to date….) then that could mean a) they’ve not encountered anything or b) it’s all not real.

Either way, stay safe… stay at home… and have more virtual coffee mornings, like me… using the video calling feature on WhatsApp.

Yesterday I was in my garden… over the fence, Arthur (my neighbour) said, “Bal… you’re good technology. Can you help me set up Skype?”

“Off course I can Arthur… but what would be better is, if we keep our distance… and I share with you how to do it… “

And that is how I helped Arthur set up Skype on his Samsung tablet (other makes are available). I did it in a very process orientated way…

First – download the app.

Second – when downloaded, install. Then when installed, open. When opened…

Third – put in your telephone number. You’ll get a code on your mobile phone… put that code into the skype app when it asks you to.

Fourth – fill in the details such as your name, etc…

Fifth – When all completed you should see the Skype User Interface (Display!)

Sixth… then I shared some basics on how to use Skype… and off Arthur went to make some video calls with his family!

Then I helped download WhatsApp…. and he was truly up and running! And it’s with this process step by step thinking and sharing, that we can enable our elderly and vulnerable people to stay connected to friends and family.

Stay connected…. and as they know you are there, they are also helping you, by not coming close to you… keeping their distance.

Now, there’s various other apps… and software that is available. Apple (iPhones, iPads, etc..) you can use Facetime which is built in (that’s if all members have Apple devices).

Other good tools to stay connected… Google Hangouts, Zoom, etc…

In fact, Zoom is a good one – we’re using that on Tuesday night for Football Training! We even tested it out yesterday with the other coaches… I’ll have the ‘spotlight’ on me, explain the exercise and then let the participants do the exercise… then I’ll watch, and ask how they’re getting on. There’s another local grassroots football team that are doing this and it worked for them!

I’ll let you know how we get on…..

Flybe has collapsed. All future flights on the Exeter-based airline have been cancelled – leaving more than 2,300 staff facing an uncertain future, and wrecking the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of passengers.

The official announcement was made just after 3am​. But it had been clear from late on Wednesday that the airline was going out of business

The Exeter-based airline was bought a year ago by a consortium headed by Virgin Atlantic, and involving Stobart Group and the US hedge fund Cyrus Capital.

The owners put in at least £100m to keep Flybe afloat, but it was making such heavy losses that the money soon ran out.

While the coronavirus crisis will be blamed for hastening the demise of Flybe, the airline has been struggling for a while.

Why has it been struggling Bal?

Number of reasons – there’s alot of competition… alternative transport methods/routes, the digital world and not being prepared for headwinds (no pun intended)… such as this CoronaVirus. Many companies are prepared… well prepared, for such issues and problems. But take a look at Monarch… Thomas Cook…. Fly BMI…. all who have gone out of business. You have to look at their business models… how they operated and why they went out of business.

Some were late to the Digital way of thinking – especially Thomas Cook, whom I wrote about a while back.

You could argue… if coronavirus didn’t happen, would FlyBe still be operational… yes. But for how long?

On Friday – I was invited to BBC Radio Nottingham, to talk about Smart Homes and Electric Cars… (and all things Tech!)

As the local tech expert – I share my views on Electric cars… and I think everyone should consider at least a hybrid, as their next car… and then slowly edging closer to a full electric vehicle.

In addition – how to make your home Smart! It’s starts with the heart (a device), that connects to everything around your house and controls what needs to be done (like – turning on and off lights).

2 Things…

1. I’m going to be setting up a consultancy with my friend, to advise people how to make their home smart… and more importantly, save money!
2. You can listen to me talking on the radio via the link below..

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0822ylh

Recently, I’ve been looking and thinking about my social media channels… my Twitter and my Insta, and decided… I need to pay a little more attention to my Insta (@mrbalbansal)

I’ll be honest, my Insta was just for fun… for me. But speaking to a good friend (who has nearly 15,000 followers) reminded me about purpose! What’s the purpose of your Insta…

So with that purpose, I have a little extra passion for my Insta.

Whatever it is you do… have a purpose…. then the passion will come.