I use the web browser version, and refuse to even install Zoom. It's borderline spyware.

sunova.... I couldn't find the web based version...That's what frustrated me about zoom compared to webex. I could use Weber in the browser and zoom had to be installed

It's gated behind a fallback after three "failed" attempts at clicking on the link to open the app after opening a meeting URL, or a meeting setting. So, not on by default, seems to be unable to join audio unless you use Chrome, and shows a single video only.

This browser extension enables the web interface: https://github.com/arkadiyt/zoom-redirector

I tried using the web client in Chrome today on my Mac, and the audio was playing to me at what felt like 50% speed; everyone sounded like slow motion to me.

It's very Dropbox-esque…

As a Dropbox user, care to elaborate please?

https://applehelpwriter.com/2016/08/29/discovering-how-dropb..., and the associated Hacker News discussion: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12463338

Best zoom alternative?

Jitsi, Google Meet, bigbluebutton -- anything can runs in a browser tab and is more or less confined within it.

I wouldn't be surprised if Zoom suddenly started exploiting browser zero days to force install things "for your own good"

Good thing that this is somewhat difficult to do ;)

Don't know bigbluebutton but at least among Jitsi and Google Meet, Wire is an alternative that is open source and end to end encrypted. They just don't make it easy to host your own, for that I guess Jitsi is the best way to go.

But how do they remain in business? I'm interested in knowing how say, Jitsi, earns money off of it.

Its wikipedia article describes its funding. It's basically a combination of sponsorships and paid employees working on it.

Zoom works in the browser

We just started using Whereby and we’re loving it. I strongly recommended against Zoom.

I recommend against Whereby.

I was a big proponent when they started as appear.in, but they’ve been steadily removing features (or moving them to the paid plan). For my friend group, the biggest appeal was that you could use it in a browser without an account by inventing a room name. That was one of the first features to get cut.

Everyone I’ve ever recommended it to has bumped into the limitations, asked me “what happened”, and switched to something else.

I haven’t tried it extensively, but I’ve read about https://meet.jit.si/ on HN and passed it on to a friend in that situation. He was happy with it and described it as “what appear.in used to be”.

I switched from Zoom to Google Duo almost a year ago and haven't had any issues.

Google Duo have raised the people per meeting from 4 to 12.

But can they raise the expected product lifespan from 4 years to 12?

lifesize