hello.math.uzh.ch: Chat / Video Conference Call / Screen Sharing / File Transfer

• hello.math.uzh.ch is something like WhatsApp, Slack, Skype, ... - but hosted & controlled at I-MATH!

• The video calls are managed via jitsi.org

Features

• Create open or private channel (=groups).
  • Invite members to your channel (if is not public).
• Do Conference Video Calls.
• Do Screen Sharing (start a video call, then share your screen).
• Send files (channel or direct to a person).
• Search/find all your messages.
• Start a new thread on answering to a message via 'Reply in thread'.
• Copy screenshots to someone via clipboard (no 'file save' necessary).
• Mark messages with emoticons.

• Do a vote via emoticons: Place some emoticons and all users has to click on the emoticon of their choice - a counter is shown.

• 'Pin' messages: will be shown on top for everyone in the channel.
• 'Star' messages: quickly mark those messages you like or to remember yourself something to do.

• Do some math (examples), type:

  /math derivative("2x^2 + 3x + 4", "x")

• Search & send clips, e.g. 'cat failed', type:

  /giphy cat failed

Thoughts about chat

• + Chat is efficient for quick notices or discussions.

• + Chat keeps your email inbox more clean: only the important things will be send as email.

• + Easy creation of channels helps to bring people together for specific topics each - think of a channel like an 'email list'.
• ++ Persons are reliable identified.
• - Another level of notifications.
• - Too much traffic (chats) on a channel - too less work done in the same time.

Tips

• Desktop App:

  • On first startup you'll asked about the server address: https://hello.math.uzh.ch

  • On the login screen you don't see the cursor: just start to type.

  • Activate desktop notifications: View > Tray Icon (click on it two times).

• Never miss a message when offline: verify your email under 'My Account' and you'll receive an email if a chat message mentions you directly.