Most users of Zoom aren't choosing it–it is being chosen for them. Both of my children's schools (preschool and elementary) started using Zoom this week, so it is either use Zoom or they do not get to participate.
Except Zoom web version doesn't work: the incoming/outgoing audio is garbled (tested with Chrome, they do not support Firefox). This is in part because they were obviously too good for WebRTC native audio and instead gutted ffmpeg and compiled it to WebAssembly (I wish I was kidding but I'm not: https://webrtchacks.com/zoom-avoids-using-webrtc/).
> This is in part because they were obviously too good for WebRTC native audio and instead gutted ffmpeg and compiled it to WebAssembly (I wish I was kidding but I'm not: https://webrtchacks.com/zoom-avoids-using-webrtc/).
Not a Zoom apologist I—I am also deeply creeped out by the fetish for covert data exfiltration in a platform that is so widely used in these quarantine days—but, as far as the tech goes, the story you linked seems to say that they do use WebRTC as of September 2019.
Agreed! Been meaning to write something like that but a complete story probably needs second-sourcing all the bits, experiments, etc. Regrettably, the trend is clear.
How do you use it? I had to join a Zoom meeting and tried to use the webpage first but it tried to make me install a client. After the MacOS local web server debacle I will never do that. I figured the safest thing was to use the iOS app but wasn’t thrilled at the idea. I assume if there actually is a web client the process to access it is extremely user hostile. Is it a hidden link or something?
Zoom is obviously an extremely scummy company and I’d rather stay away from it entirely. Unfortunately they must be dumping cash into marketing because it’s now the biggest thing in video conferencing. It’s a shame, they now seem to have network effect going for them.
There is some shadow pattern where you need to refuse to install the app (or make it seems like the installation didn't work) and it will eventually give you a link to the web client. I'm not sure whether there is a reproducible way to get there.
This did work for me but I had to install Chrome, it told me to install a "modern, updated browser" in the most recent Firefox and Safari. I assume they are abusing some anti-user capability in Chrome but I trust it more than any Zoom client.
Click "no" on the invite when it asks to open zoom (instant if you dont have it installed) and underneath there is a link that goes to the web version.