Whereby, a Great Zoom Alternative - (used to be Appear.in)

[@WillowsCircles]

I switched from Zoom to Whereby and can't be happier. I have had large meetings up to 49 people without any video delay issues at all. The stream is consistent and a lot easier to use. My favorite part is no Apps have to be downloaded to use, just use a browser. I highly recommend WhereBy😁

[@etwinningmalta6091]

Thanks Steve for introducing this tool, I am an education officer (digital literacy) and we train teachers basically to integrate technology in the classroom. Your videos are really an asset for me as they are short with lots of information I can share with educators. Lots of times I direct them to your videos for more info. This tool is great for those who are inhibited by the use of technology especially during the pandemic.

[@dottotech]

Fantastic! I am glad you are finding our videos useful!

[@paulfeiger]

Love all your short help videos, like this one, the Zoom series. I'm glad you have resumed this as the webinars aren't for me. Thanks.

[@BarrySachais]

Thanks once again for a very useful tutorial. Prior to seeing your video, I was not aware of Whereby". After checking out the website I figured I'd sign up for an account and then try it out with my least sophisticated family member ( shhh...one of my sisters-in-law). After she received the email link we were connected very quickly. There were no questions from her as to what she had to do. We just connected! The video and audio were more than acceptable. Currently, I have the free version which apparently doesn't allow private chats. As Steve pointed out, the free version is basic. Sometimes Basic is all we need...like with my sister-in-law. For quick, easy to use video conferencing with family members or friends, "Whereby" is top-notch. Thanks Steve.

[@MikeFD2424]

I was introduced to WhereBy a month or so ago. It's so easy to use and access. Really don't need anything more complex for 95% of calls ! :-) Keep them coming :-)

[@randompastorjeff2436]

I love this dude and his content. I am learning from you more than just the tutorial itself. The way you present and edit is dope. Honestly I’m learning how to apply these things to my own tutorials. Thanks for great content.

[@dottotech]

Wow, thanks so much it really makes my day to read a comment like this, I appreciate that you took the time to share

[@3500149578x]

@@dottotech I would agree. the way that you break things down and patiently explain is excellent! BRAVO!

[@andreroy6411]

As a college professor, I still see Zoom as my go-to. It has the 'extras' that come very handy for my classes. That being said, Whereby is great for 'social' calls with family and friends. Quick and easy for those who are a bit intimidated by technology. Thanks Steve.

[@StephenCarterStressExpert]

I use a variety of conferencing applications including Whereby. Whereby works well for one-to-one client sessions or small group conversations. It's simple, reliable, without the complexity of multiple menu settings such as you must deal with in Zoom. Zoom is better for larger meetings / training sessions, but Whereby is a great tool when you're meeting with one to three other people.

[@dottotech]

Great tip!

[@ericprouzet3851]

I fully agree. Eric

[@TheManWithTheHat]

That is a great video Steve. I’ve been watching you for quite some time but I’ve never subscribed, however I will put that right with immediate effect

[@richardcharron]

I'm using Whereby with my students in Africa. It seems to require less bandwith than some other conference tools, and is so easy to configure. Love it !

[@mrmartywaring]

I used Whereby for the 1st time yesterday & it went well. I downloaded it to my iPad

[@stevemartin6795]

I have used Whereby (formerly Appear.in) since I heard you talk about 18 months ago. It is my favorite though I also use Google Meet, GoToMeeting, & Zoom. It is simple, easy, customizable, and non-tech people have the least problem getting on it of all the systems. The only issue is some browsers are not as compatible as Chrome and Safari. I always recommend using one of those two browsers when I send my invite. Great Video Steve

[@Karlandedesigns]

You are awesome!!!! Love your videos! So informative and entertaining at the same time! Love your dog! Sam adds to the 'down-to-earth' quality of your sessions. Keep up the amazing work! You Rock! 🙌

[@hewyn1]

As ever, very helpful and valuable information to help with the daily race to keep up to date. Cheers Steve!

[@TerriCZT16]

How are the recording aspects of this program? Are recordings saved to the cloud or a hard drive? Is there a maximum time on a recording? If your meeting room is unlocked and others are in the room, do you also need to be in the room to continue the meeting?

[@emilharden9532]

I was so excited to try this! Unfortunately, it does not seem to allow me to record my meeting unless I purchase an upgrade to the free account.

[@dottotech]

Yes, recording is one of the upgraded features

[@dglearnwithdrvakily9892]

@@dottotech Do not upgrade at all. RECORDING is awful and their support is terrible.

[@alanrobshaw3612]

Thanks, Steve, on bringing this to the attention of S.B. & others, note in the paid version you can change the background, I use it this is how to connect to other business & family too.

[@tucsonmacintoshusersgroupt7476]

Good to know about Whereby, thanks for tracking it down.

[@dottotech]

Any time!

[@rogerjenson5689]

I use Zoom because I have my small business phone system (Zoom Phone) and video meetings (Zoom) wrapped up in one price that is less that my previous business phone, text, and 10 person audio conference bridge.

[@SJPDurham]

Thanks for reviewing this Steve. I searched yesterday and it wasn’t there. Then read the links section on your various video conferencing platforms and saw the name change. 👍🏻🇬🇧 Samantha is right about the name.

[@dottotech]

Awesome, thank you!

[@SJPDurham]

dottotech Welcome bro

[@recobb56]

Excellent - I never heard of the conferencing service. Thanks for sharing.

[@dottotech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dfeelion]

You could take a look at Jitsi as well.

[@garyspring5981]

You are my go too tech guy when I need too know about technology stuff

[@dottotech]

Glad to hear that!

[@mentorstudio]

Again so clear and helpful. Thank you.

[@dottotech]

So glad!

[@prettiwensmyling]

Have you heard of Jitsi? It uses WebRTC and runs off of your browser on any computer, unfortunately not be on mobile device browsers but they have free ios & android apps. Whereby required that I login but jitsi has no account registration requirements. Supports 75 max,password protection option, end to end encryption option, time limit is after several hours, has screen and youtube video sharing, recording & streaming capabilities. Would be interested to see a video of what you think about it. It's open source & I don't work for them but love seeing the technology progress.

[@dottotech]

Looking at it now, hope to have a video out next week

[@707jmc]

You can also set up a password for your room in Whereby

[@trazzi]

Thanks for this. Just had a go and pretty impressed. One caveat, at 8:00 you indicate the ability to "manage" mic and camera for participants. Is this a "paid for" feature? Not doing it for me on the free account.

[@dottotech]

Thanks, I missed that!

[@michaelshanley]

Love the interaction with your furry friend

[@EdKidgell]

"Whereby" as in 'The app whereby I connect to my friends online". NOT Wherebe!

[@johnlackner1193]

"Wherebee" sounds like a hillbilly that can't find something.

[@AndyDOHD1]

Looks pretty good. I might give it a try.

[@monaschobesberger839]

Thank you I like your channel a lot, great suggestion. Might be useful for differentiated lessons, if a couple of students have difficulties in the same area of content. But as a teacher I do a lot of group work, therefore is Zoom handier for whole class session. Are you planning to do a tutorial on how to pixelate parts of your screen when sharing it? Like names of students and so on.

[@dottotech]

I am not certain wha you mean. Are you asking for a demo on how to share just a part of a screen?

[@monaschobesberger839]

Yes, or to blur parts of the screen while sharing. Is it possible? Thanks

[@rodgill100]

Thanks Steve, very informative

[@RichardsWorld]

I noticed you don't use headphones when online calling? You don't get any feedback issues?

[@dottotech]

no. I have a good mic and mixer with a sound gate.

[@jacobstrawn4174]

If anyone wants to see Whereby in action check out "Love or Host" on Twitch

[@rosbyduhart5884]

Again another good product for Chromebook users like me.I'm finding it easier to make that change.

[@coachmilt9987]

Interesting, but the video lag is reason enough for me to stick with Zoom. Ease of use is definitely an issue, but if you use Zoom often enough, it should become quite manageable...

[@etiennevandam5401]

Hi, Steve! Loved your video but I still can't find the answer to my question: I am a conference interpreter. I use Zoom or another application with an interpretation module (where attendees can choose their language) and always work with a colleague as we take turns. So Whereby comes in handy because we can use the same screen to see what's going on in the conference room and listen to my colleague. I know how to cancel my microphone on Whereby and so does my colleague but how do I cancel the conference room's audio when I want to listen only to her? Or even better, how do I toggle between the main room's audio and Whereby's? Thanks! Etienne (Steve) - Buenos Aires - Argentina.

[@SpectralightPhoto]

Hi Steve. It's been over a year since you made this video. Do you like Wherby or Jitsi better now? Or is there another platform that's come along since you made this video that you prefer? Thanks!

[@RoseLaPira]

Will check it out!

[@rmlsarmiento]

Can we have a breakout room with whereby?

[@stuart_oneill]

Did they keep the existing rooms we started with?I had several. Being a P to P didn't thrill me but it was acceptable.

[@RonnyWilson66]

Could you tell me more about ZOOM?

[@fredbergeron8887]

Can you change a name in the middle of a meeting like Zoom?

[@fredbergeron8887]

So, can you, or can you not change the name in the middle of a meeting, also, is there a way to add a virtual background?

[@GaryCameron780]

How can you call Zoom exceptional with all the privacy and security screw ups? My first experience with Zoom involved me being topless and my camera coming on without warning followed by the telephone numbers of dial-in participants being displayed. Bottom line: Hard no for Zoom.

[@dottotech]

I stand by it. They have responded to every issue. No platform is going to experience the kind of growth they Zoom has without a few cracks. But hey have responded in a timely manor, to every issue. There is a reason it is growing as fast as it is, and the reason is it is the best designed of the services.

[@Anglaide]

@@dottotech I agree. Their updates have addressed these issues. Very happy user. Just wish the 40-minute limit would be longer... And not have to install the software.

[@paulkalra3372]

I watched your video on Whereby. I want to sign up for this program, but the site is confusing. The terminologies they use are beyond my knowledge level. What are "rooms"? The Business account has features described as: 50 participants in team rooms, 4 participants in personal rooms. What is a personal room and what is a team room? On one hand they are saying only 4 participants can join in, then at the same time they are also saying 50 participants. When I wrote to the Support of this company as to what the feature called "Embedded" meant, he replied with terms such as iFrame. Heck, I don't know what an iFrame is. In any case, can you please help me out on "50 participants, 4 participants" confusing terms? I want to have the ability to have one-on-one presentation to a client and , at other times, hold for about 25 people. Thanks!

[@benjaminoffit4427]

I was an avid whereby user, but they really pissed me off and was forced to stop using them. My compliance department asked for simple compliance questions about how they operate and they refused to answer or provide any documentation. Their support was actually quite rude about it and they were unwilling to help. I think this is a red flag.

[@buzzsah]

The Gov/DHS sent out a stop use of zoom on any/all gov/DHS business, home, work, personal home system ....

[@jazminvaca7291]

What about Google Duo

[@dottotech]

Not for business meetings, it’s for person-to-person

[@crossleydd42]

@@dottotech You can have up to 32 participants in a group video call on Google Duo, now. And Whatsapp is similar. Facebook Messenger allows up to 250 people in a single group. If you create a call within the group, you can only choose 8 people to join in. Meanwhile, Messenger Rooms allows up to 50 people to be on a group call at once. Covid-19 caused them to increase participants.And they're all free!

[@skycil]

Is Whereby same as Jitsi?

[@menincontext406]

Mohamad, I use Jitsi some times and I think in terms of ease of use, I'm quite okay with it. Are you using it?

[@skycil]

Keoagile K yes. Im using it. As it ease as web-base, no too unique IDs, and of course FREE hahaha

[@stevensegaert]

I love jitsi. Super easy to use for anyone, and just works great.

[@Anglaide]

@@stevensegaert I've never been able to get the Screen Share to work

[@scottb828]

I don't blame them for changing the name, but "whereby" is an actual word with an actual pronunciation: where bye. It's not a personal choice to call it "where bee." Just look up the word, for Pete's sake.

[@padraigr9305]

Sounds like an Irish accent Samantha ?

[@dottotech]

Indeed

[@torbenfrandsen1321]

Be aware that the support response times are horrendous (3-4 days), and that if you get a reply at all. That’s fine for a free service, but the same goes for their paid services as well - and their services are NOT cheap. Whereby are not able to output computer sound when sharing the screen. This product is simple, simple to use and very light weight as you say, but is not a professional tool worth $60 / month. It’s not possible to upgrade from Pro to Business and stay on the same platform. You have to create a new account on their Business-platform and then start a conversation with their support in order to get your payment for the Pro refunded - I newer got my money, and have given up, cancelled my subscription and gone with Zoom.

[@earljmaui_boy2546]

Aloha y'all Steve... Zoom is like all the other Chinese products... the price is right... (grin) * * * Until that time. . .

[@LavishHim]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@johnlackner1193]

Whereby would steal the show if the free version allowed more than four guests, and supported a direct green screen option.

[@PracticalDigitalStrategies]

If it was 'where-bee' that is the spelling, since it's spelled WhereBY that's how I call it, and your saying Where-BEE prompted this comment. Keep on keeping on. I see now, after showing the offers in the upgrades, that this is old news. Bye

[@kevinmccormick3603]

Steve yoU 4got 2 Mention that yoU Can Lock Your Room... so No Privacy intrusion! ;-)K

[@dottotech]

Great point!

[@FernandoPerez-wl4hy]

Nice content videos by a cute daddy bear :)

Jitsi

[@etiennevandam5401]

???

[@dglearnwithdrvakily9892]

Hi, Steve is a great man, BUT please do not advertise this whereby for a lot of reasons: 1) It uses your internet a lot. 2) The recording is terrible. 3) Their support is more terrible. 4) I have asked them to pay my money back. They reply senselessly and they say they are very busy. In One word, Whereby is terrible.

[@dottotech]

Sorry to hear that, I have never had to deal with their support and it’s disappointing to hear that they have not served you well.

[@gracesuarez3154]

I appreciate seeing other platforms, but the quality of the presentation was awful.

[@hongkongspeechfestivalhksp2340]

Excellent, thanks! By the way, get rid of the beard and look ten years younger!