Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- public:vag [2020/05/12 20:51] – [Meeting Schudule] Munrobagger
+++ public:vag [2023/04/18 13:31] (current) – [Who is the leader of the group?] grovenor
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ~~NOCACHE~~
-====== MERG Virtual Area Group ======
+~~NOTOC~~
-The Virtual Area Group uses a Zoom video call to meet every Tuesday for an hour or more.
+<WRAP hide>
+****************************************************
+Replace Somewhere with the name of your area group.
+****************************************************
+</WRAP>
-===== Meeting Schedule =====
+<WRAP notice round centeralign>
+====== MERG Virtual Area Group (VAG) ======
+</WRAP>
-<ORG34>ALL|80|28</ORG34>
+<WRAP box round>
+<WRAP group>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Area Groups]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More on our Knowledgebase]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|VAG Members Page]]
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP hide>
+****************************************************
+Replace photo with a area group meeting photo
+****************************************************
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP box round centeralign>
+{{:public:istock-168615238.jpg?nolink&400|}}
+</WRAP>
+===== How do I contact the Virtual Area Group? =====
+<WRAP help round button>
+\\
+Please indicate Virtual Area Group in your message **[[https://www.merg.org.uk/contactus.php?t=1&n=28|Contact MERG ]]**
+</WRAP>
+===== Who is the leader of the group? =====
-The times vary to try and make the calls work for different time zones. We regularly welcome members from: -
+<WRAP hide>
+****************************************************
+Replace photo with the names and titles of leaders.
+****************************************************
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP info round>
+\\
+Huw Griffiths.
-  * Australia\\
-  * Canada\\
-  * Iceland\\
-  * Ireland\\
-  * UK\\
-  * USA.\\
-Calls are recorded and made available to all members through MERG TV; presentation materials are also available.
+</WRAP>
-===== Area Group Coordinator =====
+===== Would you like to join today? =====
+<WRAP hide>
+****************************************************
+Update area group name.
+****************************************************
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP tip round>
+Not a member? then <WRAP button>[[https://www.merg.org.uk/membership.php|Join MERG Here]]</WRAP> and sign up to this Area Group. If you are already a member <WRAP button>[[https://merg.org.uk/membership/areagroups.php|Join the Virtual Area Group]]</WRAP>
+Select **Virtual Area Group** from the drop down list in **Other Area Groups** and press the **Subscribe to Area Group** button.
+</WRAP>
-Allan Geekie - you can contact Allan using the [[https://www.merg.org.uk/areagroup.php?area=28|MERG Area Group contact form]]\\
+===== How do you meet? =====
+<WRAP hide>
+****************************************************
+Provide meeting details
+****************************************************
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP info round>
+The Virtual Area Group (VAG) is for MERG members only and was started primarily for those too distant from their nearest Area Group. It only meets using Zoom.
-===== Meeting Topics =====
+During the first two years of the VAG we regularly welcomed members from Australia, Canada, Iceland, Ireland, UK, USA etc and varied weekly meeting times to try to make the calls work for different time zones.
+Many Area Groups have switched to using Zoom during Covid and so, temporarily we hope, created many other options for joining in.
+At the start of 2021, after a break in the programme and with those other MERG Zoom options which are accessible to members in the western hemisphere, the plan is to resume VAG meeting only once a month on a Tuesday at 10am UK time which suits members in Europe and the Australian times zones.
+Meetings are nominally for an hour but typically Zoom will open 15mins before and for 30 mins afterwards for informal chat.
+Calls may be recorded and made available all MERG members.
+</WRAP>
+===== And the Next Meeting? =====
+Look in the MERG Diary or "My Upcoming Events".
+<WRAP hide>
+***************************************************************************
+Replace NN with the number of your area group - get from the AG admin page.
+Update the contact form title.
+***************************************************************************
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP box round borderlesstable>
+<ORG34>ALL|40|28|NO</ORG34>
+</WRAP>
+===== How are Topics Chosen? =====
+<WRAP info round>
 In April 2020 we carried out a poll of VAG members and the following topics were identified as the most popular: -
-  * How kits work - a series of calls, each discussing the how one particular kit works - now schuduled
+  * How kits work - a series of calls, each discussing the how one particular kit works. Several done.
   * Types and use of baseboard connectors - covered in Demystifying Components -Wires and Connectors
-  * Oscilloscopes and logic analysers for hobbyists - being planned as a two part course.
+  * Oscilloscopes and logic analysers for hobbyists
   * Using the FCU - a multi part course is being considered including the use of the FCU to configure individual 2nd generation modules.
-  * Testing boards (use of various pieces of test equipment and the way to go about it) - A Test Gear Buyers Guide is already scheduled; other calls to be added.
+  * Testing boards (use of various pieces of test equipment and the way to go about it) - A Test Gear Buyers Guide has already been presented.
   * Neater Methods of under board wiring
   * Best practice for wiring different bus types
   * Layout control buses
-  * CBUS wiring strategy on a large club O gauge layout - scheduled
+  * CBUS wiring strategy on a large club O gauge layout. Done.
   * CANPAN wiring
   * Servo and Servo Mounts
@@ Line 47: / Line 128: @@
 Members can suggest topics at any time using the member email system.
+</WRAP>
+===== How do Video Calls Work? =====
+<WRAP round tip>
+To join in you may need to add a headset with microphone and optionally a camera to your device, if they are not built in. You will receive a link which will get you into the meeting, automatically installing Zoom on your device if necessary.
+Calls are scheduled and topics announced in advance.
+Zoom provides thumbnails of each video participant and any shared presentations or desktops. The call host facilitates the meeting/questions/discussion. Zoom has developed a lot during Covid and I can't describe all the features here.
+Usually everyone mutes their microphone to avoid a lot of noise from phones, clocks chiming, family activity etc. To speak you can just press the spacebar to (after a slight pause) temporarily unmute.
+You can select among several icons to, for example raise a hand, clap, agree, vote etc. Useful for questioning.
+You can also type "chat" either with everyone or with a selected participant. This is quite a good way to have a one-to-one conversation without involving/annoying everyone else. It can also be used to distribute weblinks etc although there are many other ways to "share" (with permission) screens, documents, open apps, whiteboard and so on.
+If you would like to try out Zoom, then there is a test meeting service where you are the only participant and you can experiment with the various options available.
+<WRAP button>[[http://zoom.us/test|Test Zoom]]</WRAP>
+This link is available to anybody, not just members of the virtual area group.
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP box round>
+<WRAP group>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/index.php|MERG Home page]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/areagroups|Area Groups]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[https://www.merg.org.uk/content/knowledgebase|More on our Knowledgebase]]
+</WRAP>
+<WRAP column quarter>
+[[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|VAG Members Page]]
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
+</WRAP>
 ----
-Members can access more information [[areagroups:vag:vag_page_internal|here]].