After asking many times whether or not I can hear him and just generally struggling to communicate, Noel finally manages to ask: On average, how many times is ‘Can you hear me now?’ uttered during a conference call? Dear Noel, Unlike the ritual of – the almost spiritual – sharing of screens, the accidental muting of the microphone and the associated questions varying on the theme of &# ...[Read More]
During the umpteenth conference call this week, it is finally time for Carrie to share her screen. So, naturally, she asks: Where is the share screen button? Dear Carrie, I am not sure how to break this to you. Indeed, I am not sure if I should be the person telling you this. However, since you ask, I feel obliged to divulge this secret to you. Just promise me you will not tell anyone. Okay? Do I ...[Read More]
Embedded on a chair behind a laptop, with no access to the university labs in the foreseeable future and hands-on research activities stalling, Felicia resides ensconced: I need to access my lab to do my research, but I am not allowed to go. What can I do? Dear Felicia, Not very much by the looks of it. I suggest: take a load off and get some sleep. Wean yourself off of that 12-16 hours a day rout ...[Read More]
Now more than ever, Kaito is using conference calls to stay in touch (scientifically and otherwise) but is frustrated about the (lack of) etiquette. He ponders: What is the best way to set up a conference call? Dear Kaito, I suppose you like conference calls as much as I do. Not. I don’t know how many times I’ve thought to simply quit a call due to the inherent chaos that at some point ...[Read More]
