Eugene Belinski profile pictureEugene Belinski

he / him

How to join a video call in 2018

  1. Find the corresponding event invite in your calendar app and accept it.
  2. Go to the event in your calendar.
  3. Go to the notes section of the event. It should look something like this: -::~:~::~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~::~:~::- Please do not edit this section of the description. This event has a Google Hangouts video call. Join: https://plus.google.com/hangouts/_/thecompanyyouworkfor/some-meeting?hceid=g8j39q4jtc4m37hqtr89734qx89tr34yuxq8n._4j8t93qh849hjer9fhRNOUISGHNROSF94efgj&hs=448 -::~:~::~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~::~:~::-
  4. Carefully select the full link and paste it in your browser.
  5. “Sorry, Hangouts doesn’t work in this browser. You can use one of these browsers instead: Chrome 37+ Internet Explorer 9 (32-bit) or 10+ Safari 6+”
  6. Open Safari.
  7. Paste the call link in Safari.
  8. “Ready to join the video call? Joining as [email protected].”
  9. Look for the “switch account” button.
  10. It’s not there.
  11. Go to google.com.
  12. Select your avatar in the top right, and select your work account.
  13. Nothing happens.
  14. Go to gmail.com to login through there instead.
  15. “Welcome. Your favorite email has a fresh new look.”
  16. Look for the “skip” button.
  17. It’s not there.
  18. Click on the “next” button.
  19. “Choose a view: Default — Comfortable — Compact”
  20. Make a selection and click on “OK”.
  21. Select your avatar in the top right, and select your work account.
  22. “Please confirm your login by entering your password.”
  23. Unlock your 1Password vault.
  24. Paste your password into the field.
  25. Paste the call link and hit enter.
  26. “Ready to join the video call? Joining as [email protected].”
  27. Look for the “switch account” button.
  28. It’s there.
  29. Switch to your work account.
  30. Click on the “Join” button.
  31. Nothing happens.
  32. Remember that Google services usually work best with Google browsers.
  33. Look for Chrome on your computer.
  34. It’s not there.
  35. Remember that you uninstalled it when you were trying to declutter your computer.
  36. Download Chrome.
  37. Install Chrome and open it.
  38. Paste the call link and hit enter.
  39. “Join Google Hangouts video call. Please introduce yourself to the people in the call: _____ or Sign in with Google.”
  40. Click on “Sign in with Google”.
  41. Install the 1Password plugin for Chrome.
  42. Enter your password from 1Password.
  43. “2-Step Verification. This extra step shows it’s really you trying to sign in. Get a verification code from the Google Authenticator app.”
  44. Reach into your pocket for your phone.
  45. It’s not there.
  46. Remember that you left it in the bathroom.
  47. Open the Google Authenticator app.
  48. Scroll through the list to find the right authentication code.
  49. It looks like the timer is almost up for this code. Wait for the next one to appear.
  50. Enter the new code into the field.
  51. “Make sure your settings are up-to-date. Since you have opted for higher security with 2-Step Verification, we need to periodically make sure your settings are correct.”
  52. Click on “Remind me later”.
  53. “hangouts.google.com wants to use your microphone and camera.”
  54. Click on “Allow”.
  55. Click on “Join”.
  56. “You are the only one here.”

The call ended 10 minutes ago.