Google Hangouts for KI KI Uses Google Hangouts for Online Interactive Classes

Google Hangouts for KI KI uses Google Hangouts for online interactive classes. Here are some basic steps to get connected with a desktop or laptop computer or a tablet: 1. Get a “Google” account. If you use GMAIL, you already have one. If you have an Android phone or tablet, you probably already have one. If not, or if you just want a new one, go tohttps://accounts.google.com/SignUp.

2. Join Google+. This Google’s version of Facebook, but not many people use it. You need it to get easy access to Hangouts (Google calls this an upgrade of your account). If you go tohttp://www.google.com, you will see a “+You” link in the upper right of the page. a. First you create your profile, which can contain just your name. b. Next it wants you to search for friends. Add “Rabbi Joel Zeff” so he can send class notifications and the like.

3. When you try to start or join a Hangout, you will be prompted to install the Google-talk browser plug-in. There will be a button to download it, and then you will have to run it, clicking “okay” a couple of times in the process (this varies by browser, so I can’t be more specific).

4. If your desktop or laptop computer doesn’t have a built-in camera, buy a USB webcam. I recommend Logitech or Microsoft, and it should cost about $30 (the really cheap ones aren’t any good, and the expensive webcams are overkill if all you are doing is Hangouts). You just plug the webcam into a USB port, Windows will automatically install some basic drivers, and then it works. I recommend that you don’t install the other software that comes with the webcam; it just complicates things in most cases. Some people have reported that they had problems with software installs. If this happens, make sure you have an up to date browser. I like Firefox, but Hangouts work fine on Internet Explorer and Google Chrome browsers too. If you have trouble, download and install a fresh copy of Google Chrome and try it again. Download Chrome at https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/ Hangouts and other programs that provide live audio and video need a fair amount of computing power, and they just aren’t going to work if your computer is hopelessly outdated or your Internet connection is painfully slow. Sorry.