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  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 Many of your team members are faced with new challenges this year as their children return to some form of schooling. The way you handle the situation can make a big difference. Image: Drazen Zigic, Getty Images/iStockphoto We're well past the half-way point of 2020 and finally getting some certainty around things like remote working and even more important issues like whether our nearest warehouse store will actually have toilet paper on the shelves. Routines are being established, and some of the early COVID-19-related uncertainties have been replaced with routine. However, you may notice that some of your colleagues are struggling mightily, or your blissfully calm team members might remark on your stress. The key demarcation for this latest virus-driven stress is sending children back to school. SEE: COVID-19 workplace policy (TechRepublic Premium) This is usually a time of relative joy for parents. After summer camps, relaxation, and family vacations, it's time to stock up on school supplies, perhaps purchase a new outfit or two, and send the kids back to their weekly routine. Obviously, school is a critical facet of child development, but it's also a dependable and consistent form of child care. Many employees who are working remotely dreamed of the day they could get their children back into the classroom, to the good of everyone's routine, productivity, and sanity. Even if you planned for home schooling, it was assumed that a well-structured and thoughtful remote learning plan would be offered versus the suboptimal approach of the spring, which was hastily thrown together as the world attempted to cope with COVID-19. The school of empathy What most parents are getting, however, are mixed messages, changing plans, shifting start dates, and just about everything but the consistent, reliable routine of Monday-through-Friday schooling. In my family's case, a plan was communicated, then changed days later. Details are still somewhat uncertain as the school district attempts to cope with a reemergence of COVID-19, and a return to relative normalcy has been replaced with alternating days in the classroom for a hybrid home schooling model. Transportation has also been a challenge, so like most families with school-age children, we're scrambling to plan all manner of logistics while maintaining both of our jobs. If you don't have children, or yours have grown and are past school age, you might wonder what all the fuss is about, or why a reliable and consistent team member is suddenly distracted and frazzled. Before having children of my own, I was blissfully unaware of the central focus of school to the life and rhythms of a family. It dictates everything from when you take vacation, to how you schedule and plan each day. A disruption to this process can throw an entire family into near-chaos, especially as families might have to make significant decisions on whether to change schools, take on the task of remote learning by choice or local dictate, or even relocate to another district, all in a matter of a few short weeks. SEE: Return to work: What the new normal will look like post-pandemic (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Empathy, the art of putting yourself in another's shoes and trying to imagine what they're experiencing, has certainly been in short supply as many of us are pushed to the brink of our coping skills. A modicum of empathy for your team members will not only do wonders for their sanity, but knowing that their concerns are shared by their leaders can make the entire situation less stressful and ultimately help that person be more productive. Simply asking how they're faring with the start of school, or sharing your own school-related challenges and then sitting back for some active listening is a simple tool that can have significant results. If you want to create a more significant impact, consider fairly simple and easily executed goals like setting up a weekly parents support meeting, or allowing staff to block their calendars for things like transporting their children or delivering homeschooling classes. Discuss some of these challenges with the broader team, so those who don't have to deal with back to school get some insight as to why their colleagues might be struggling, and create an open forum where people can ask difficult questions like, "Will I be punished by having to pick up the slack for all the parents?" Most employees will be so thankful for the permission to have some flexibility in their work that they'll not only continue to perform their assigned duties outside usual business hours, but ultimately be more productive during the standard workday. They'll also understand the concerns of their colleagues without children, creating a "we're all in this together" dynamic rather than one of concern or resentment. SEE: TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits, and research for download (TechRepublic Premium) If you want to explore more comprehensive tools to help your team deal with the variability of returning to school, check with your colleagues in human resources. Many companies have reduced scheduling options or are considering creating policies due to economic disruption. Simply knowing the option exists can be a relief to an overburdened parent, and might even create a win-win situation if you can reduce your staffing costs to deal with a rocky economy while providing flexibility to employees who need it most. While it's still unclear what September will look like in many households, as leaders, a bit of empathy and flexibility will go a long way toward providing certainty, and ultimately allowing our teams to perform at their best given the circumstances. Executive Briefing Newsletter Discover the secrets to IT leadership success with these tips on project management, budgets, and dealing with day-to-day challenges. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 As the coronavirus continues to spread across the US, workers are not confident that a return to work is safe or possible, and 81% expect disruptions, even after a vaccine might be available, according to a new survey. Image: Anna Ostanina, Getty Images/iStockPhoto As the spread of the coronavirus pandemic continues across the US, with a resurgence of new infections and a total of more than 4.5 million cases to date, people and business owners are holding out hope for a vaccine that could help contain the spread of COVID-19 and bring life back to normal. But Gartner has found that even after the crisis abates, remote work could be here to stay––which may not be a bad thing, considering that two-thirds of workers feel more productive working remotely than in the office. And according to a new study from Unity Band, even the introduction of a vaccine may not convince Americans that work life can return to what it was like pre-pandemic. SEE: Coronavirus: Critical IT policies and tools every business needs (TechRepublic Premium) The new survey gauges the opinions of 1,000 people across America, covering the gamut of geographic and socioeconomic situations, to find how people feel about the way their lives have changed––and may stay changed––as a result of the coronavirus. As America continues to move in the reverse direction, in terms of new cases many workers are now experiencing apathy, after an initial period of frustration and anger. A mere 19% believe that the introduction of a vaccine will end the major disruptions caused by the virus, and most see the situation as remaining uncontrolled through 2021. Here are some interesting results from the survey, conducted by the wearable company aimed at helping users track and manage their COVID-19 risk: Severity: Women and men have different expectations around COVID-19. Women predict worse symptoms from the coronavirus than men and believe they will be bedridden, or worse, at 61% and 51%, respectively. Women and men have different expectations around COVID-19. Women predict worse symptoms from the coronavirus than men and believe they will be bedridden, or worse, at 61% and 51%, respectively. Transmission: Most people are more worried about transmitting the virus to others than about getting it themselves. Most people are more worried about transmitting the virus to others than about getting it themselves. Travel : Attitudes around travel remain cautious: Without a vaccine, only 17% of Americans would take a cruise, and 58% say they won't go on a vacation at all. : Attitudes around travel remain cautious: Without a vaccine, only 17% of Americans would take a cruise, and 58% say they won't go on a vacation at all. Finance: One in 5 Americans predict they will be bankrupt if the current climate continues for the next six months to a year. One in 5 Americans predict they will be bankrupt if the current climate continues for the next six months to a year. Work: More than half of employees would consider returning to work, given the environment feels safe: Men are more likely than women to consider this (33% to 25%). "When I look at this survey, I see a collection of Americans that are looking for ways to create a new normal for themselves––one that illuminates social acceptance and instant gratification for those looking to start new routines as they navigate the world," said Sunny Kapoor, COO and co-founder at Unity Band. SEE: Life after lockdown: Your office job will never be the same--here's what to expect (cover story PDF) (TechRepublic) As we continue to adjust to a radically altered situation at work and at home, the survey shows that the current outlook remains uncertain, and workers are skeptical that the situation will change in the near future. Executive Briefing Newsletter Discover the secrets to IT leadership success with these tips on project management, budgets, and dealing with day-to-day challenges. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 Here are some of the perks and benefits telecommuters should consider as more companies embrace remote work. Image: iStock/bartekszewczyk In recent years, companies were offering a suite of in-house perks to entice new talent and retain existing employees. These services ranged from free on-site lunch services, pet-friendly offices, ping pong tables, and, at times, even cocktails and draft beer for employees to enjoy after office hours. However, the traditional workplace has been dramatically transformed due to the coronavirus. Over the last few months, organizations around the globe have transitioned from the in-person office to the virtual workspace. While organizations may have originally viewed this as a temporary, short-term solution, some companies are embracing remote work in the long term. "Many US businesses are seeing the key benefits to remote work, such as cost savings and increased efficiency, and as a result, are opting for distributed workforces permanently. However, with the massive shift to remote work, many of our traditional office norms and perks will have to evolve to address new employee needs," said Zoë Harte, SVP, head of human resources and talent innovation at Upwork. As employees continue to telecommute in the future, the classic perks and benefits package may need to adjust to the new normal of business operations. Here are some of the perks and benefits telecommuters should consider during the negotiation process. SEE: COVID-19 workplace policy (TechRepublic Premium) Stipends for home office setup At the onset of the pandemic, some companies offered their employees stipends to set up their home offices. Shopify in particular offered its employees a "one-time remote allowance" of $1,000 to create their home workspaces. Such a stipend can help telecommuters buy all of the essentials for a day at the virtual office including standing desks, ergonomic chairs, dual monitors, headsets, external microphones, webcams, and more. Energy allowance The physical setup of the office is one perk to consider, the resources needed to maintain a virtual office is another. At a standard office, employees typically are supplied with employer-provided electricity, water, Wi-Fi capabilities, etc. At the home office, remote workers are often responsible for these utility expenditures. In recent months, residential energy consumption has increased in some markets. According to Columbia University research, residential energy usage has increased by as much as 20% in California compared to the same time in 2019. Moving forward, employees may want to consider negotiating utility and Internet usage stipends as part of their employment package. Finding balance As for the operational burden of conducting business remotely, there are other less tangible factors to keep in mind. With the workday squarely situated in the middle of the home for many employees, the line between work and personal space is at times obscured. As a result, Harte suggests perks related to accommodating work-life balance. "With remote work becoming the new normal, employees should consider perks and negotiations which help create a healthy work-life balance and work-from-home environment," Harte said. Harte noted that employees may consider negotiating "the ability to create calendar blocks designated specifically for personal time." This would give telecommuters the ability to add structured guidelines to their day-to-day work life and more aptly set boundaries between work and their personal lives. Nontraditional business hours It's also important to remember that it's not only employees who are operating remotely during the pandemic. Many schools have adopted non-traditional instruction to enable remote learning for students around the country. As a result, many telecommuters are tasked with managing not only their at-home workday but also their child's distanced education. To assist with this multifaceted workload, Harte suggests that remote employees could negotiate flexibility as a scheduling perk. "Every remote employee's work-from-home environment looks different; some are parents juggling work and homeschooling their kids, while others live with someone who is immunocompromised. Employees should consider asking for a flexible workday schedule, outside the traditional 9-5, in which they can dedicate time to care for loved ones and work during times convenient for them," Harte said. SEE: Return to work: What the new normal will look like post-pandemic (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Enhanced medical benefits packages As a modern plague continues to spread around the globe, healthcare remains a critical perk for many employees. In recent months, we've seen a surge in telemedicine visits to accommodate public safety and mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. Harte posed the idea of employees negotiating telemedical benefits as part of a larger employment package. "In terms of healthcare, encourage your business to partner with a telemedicine company to provide remote consultations without the risk of COVID-19 exposure and offer access to on-demand mental health support through providers such as Ginger.io," Harte said. Remote learning opportunities Tuition reimbursement is a popular perk for employees across industries. Interestingly, this particular perk is a bit of a win-win for both organizations and employees alike. This allows companies to invest in their existing talents while also empowering employees to upskill in classes or micro-courses of interest. Tech News You Can Use Newsletter We deliver the top business tech news stories about the companies, the people, and the products revolutionizing the planet. Delivered Daily Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 More than ever, now is the time to make absolutely sure that your services and devices are using the best protection available to keep data secured and away from unauthorized hands. Image: PrettyVectors, Getty Images/iStockphoto Multi-factor, two-factor, 2-step—regardless of what it's called—relies on more than just the username/password combo to verify identity before providing access to a device or service. By relying on multiple factors, such as pairing up something you know (password) with something you have (smart card or smartphone) it minimizes the risk of unauthorized access. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) isn't bulletproof. It has shown that it can be defeated by combining other unscrupulous methods, such as social engineering with the theft of a user's RSA token, for example. Despite its weaknesses, MFA has been proven to offer much more protection than solely relying on a password, which is often repeated across various sites, written down on notes on or near computers, or easy to guess due to poorly designed or non-existent password policies. SEE: VPN: Picking a provider and troubleshooting tips (free PDF) (TechRepublic) With the rise of remote teleworking, this issue has taken more of the spotlight than usual, and rightfully so. There may be indicators that someone has accessed your computer at the office, but if you're working from home, you wouldn't be onsite to identify those signs. The same rules apply to services we rely on—whether they be work-related or bills we're obligated to pay. If you haven't already done so, there's no better time to secure your accounts with MFA, and here are a few reasons it should be done sooner than later. Cloud-based services The internet of today is vastly different from just a scant 10 years ago because companies of all sizes an online presence, and many have evolved their services to function in this space. There are too many services to possibly list, but some of the most commonly targeted ones include email, banking, and shopping sites. While the focus of this article is on business-centric usage, we would be remiss if we didn't factor in the very real possibility that users can essentially perform job functions on personal computing devices and, given the ongoing pandemic, are likely to be doing exactly this. So, any attempt to compromise work accounts can and may extend to or come from personal accounts used on the same hardware. SEE: Microsoft: Using multi-factor authentication blocks 99.9% of account hacks (ZDNet) Services that leverage cloud-based access are prime targets for threat actors to attack. From obtaining reset password information through compromised email to obtaining banking information to be used with unauthorized wire transfers to using the saved credit card information linked to your favorite shopping site: Each of these scenarios can be thwarted before they start with properly implemented MFA to alert you that something is afoot. X-as-a-Service The popular "as-a-Service" or cloud-based model adopted by enterprise customers of all sizes has proven popular when fast growth or rapid expansion is required without the typical upfront costs associated with provisioning hardware quickly. In some cases, such as with Azure and AWS, infrastructures for entire organizations are hosted globally on IaaS platforms, which are quite impressive and accessible from any device, anywhere in the world. SEE: More companies use multi-factor authentication, but security still weak from poor password habits (TechRepublic) The security implemented with such infrastructures must be protected at all costs—doing anything less is akin to leaving the vault door open at a bank except that the assets at a bank are federally insured. And this does not merely include virtualized servers, but any services, like applications that may be used for other non-commercial means, like accounting software, HR, or medical record portals, which are all high-level targets. Physical hardware Computing devices are among the most widely attacked and compromised targets, given that endpoints are used frequently and by many users. This presents various opportunities in the form of variables like time and number of victims that an attacker exploits to gain access through one means or another. Safeguarding the hardware can be one of the most difficult tasks to execute when multiple users are sharing the same hardware. Simply put, it's tough to make sure everyone is following proper procedures. If a restriction is enabled to log out users after 10 minutes of inactivity, users need to honor that and not find ways to circumvent that by say, installing software like Caffeine, which keeps the cursor moving to prevent inactivity locks from kicking in. SEE: Microsoft: 99.9% of compromised accounts did not use multi-factor authentication (ZDNet) When devices are 1:1, it's a bit easier to manage hardware defenses, especially when the end-user has additional, non-company data on these devices. Users are more likely to be extra careful and enable additional enforcements to keep data secured. Some hardware, like smartphones, may pull double duty as the default trusted device that receives one-time passwords (OTP) from services and other hardware when attempting to access those. But the smartphone itself may require a complex pin and biometric factor in order to unlock, adding another layer of security. Cybersecurity Insider Newsletter Strengthen your organization's IT security defenses by keeping abreast of the latest cybersecurity news, solutions, and best practices. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 The work-from-home needs of employees due to COVID-19 could help drive big changes in how laptops and other devices are sold. Digital transformation and the work-from-home movement may not be the only big technology trends gaining strength due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Also picking up traction in the business IT marketplace in the last six months is the Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) model of acquiring hardware without having to buy, configure, and manage it. In 2015, no major PC manufacturers offered a DaaS option to acquire hardware, according to a recent report from Accenture. But by 2019, that changed dramatically, with 65% of major PC makers offering DaaS options to their customers. To Kevin Dobbs, the leader of Accenture's Everything-as-a-Service practice, it's where PC makers and other hardware suppliers need to go if they want to keep up with business and consumer expectations and demands. With DaaS, vendors take laptops, desktop PCs, and other devices and preconfigure and customize them with productivity and security applications as well as value-added services to ready them for business or consumer customers. The devices aren't purchased outright by companies like in the past, but are paid for on a consumption model. SEE: VPN: Picking a provider and troubleshooting tips (free PDF) (TechRepublic) That may seem like a lease, but it's not a lease, Dobbs said. "They may look similar, but DaaS is less about the device and more about the services associated with the devices." The work-from-home movement due to the pandemic could be a big boost for DaaS adoption in the future, he said. Companies that scrambled to send workers home to do their jobs as the pandemic spawned shutdowns across the nation were often forced into a laptop-buying frenzy. That quickly revealed that it was easier to buy the machines fully loaded and configured and ready for workers to do their jobs from home, Dobbs said. For companies, it essentially streamlined the process of quickly enabling a large number of at-home workers that companies didn't have in the past. DaaS arrangements also include product support from vendors or partners as needed. "It gives an easy way to get help," Dobbs said. "They would rather buy things preconfigured with software and security. I think a lot of the customer buying pattern is moving in that direction." Benefits and challenges for vendors And while this can all be beneficial for users, the DaaS model also provides a mix of big benefits and real challenges for hardware vendors, Dobbs explained. First, because customers use the devices until they are done with them, the vendors get them back and can collect, refurbish, and resell them to new users up to four more times over the useful life of the devices, which maximizes returns on investments, according to Dobbs. "For vendors, it's a great option because rather than only selling a product one time, they can sell them up to five times," Dobbs said. "The benefit is that by keeping control of the devices and surrounding them with different kinds of services and capabilities each time you can give more to customers. In the hardware business, margins are thin, but here you sell it over and over. That's why we think this is an exciting trend." SEE: Mobile device computing policy (TechRepublic Premium) It's also something that can boost revenue for hardware vendors at a time when sales may be lower due to the growing popularity of business customers moving workloads to the cloud. When customers move to the cloud, hardware sales typically get lost in the transaction. "DaaS becomes a more interesting way for manufacturers and channel partners to head as they are moving into the next phase of their growth," he said. But the challenges are there as well. To enable DaaS, vendors require complicated supply chains to collect, refurbish, and redistribute all that gear. "That means that vendors need to take a very different approach to how they sell their goods," Dobbs said. "We're seeing more and more companies looking at that option." Creating and maintaining the needed supply chains to create a seamless experience for customers isn't easy, though. "At scale, it is difficult to do these things, when we're talking about millions of devices and being able to orchestrate them to make money for vendors," Dobbs said. On the flip side, companies that already have such supply chains will be able to drive more value from them. DaaS is all about the customer Ultimately, DaaS is gaining traction because business customers and consumers want to make things easier for themselves, Dobbs said. "In the end, the customers don't care about the device itself. They just want an outcome. If it breaks, they just want it replaced. They want service. All those things are valuable to customers." And that's where the flexibility and value of DaaS can solve problems for users, Dobbs said. "This is the way customers now want to get their devices. The business buyers are expecting the same level of service and experience in their work as they are in their consumer lives. Customers want to try before buying, pay as they go, and have more of a consumption-based model, where they get charged as they go for what they use." By using DaaS, customers potentially pay less up-front, but could spend more over time for the overall package of devices and integrated services and support. Cost-savings aren't usually why customers are attracted to DaaS in the first place, Dobbs said. For hardware vendors that aren't filling these demands in the future, it will be a challenging environment in the future, he said. "The opportunity today is to do this proactively," Dobbs said. "Customers want to buy it this way, so you are going to have to move this way, like it or not. COVID-19 is also highlighting the fact that more and more customers will be embracing this approach." Tech News You Can Use Newsletter We deliver the top business tech news stories about the companies, the people, and the products revolutionizing the planet. Delivered Daily Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 Microsoft has provided more information on Dataflex, its new low-code platform for building apps and bots directly within Teams. Image: Microsoft Microsoft has provided new details on Dataflex, its new low-code/no-code platform for building and deploying apps and chatbots directly into Teams. Dataflex was announced at Microsoft's recent Inspire partner conference on July 21st. Built on the Common Data Service – now somewhat confusingly called Microsoft Dataflex Pro - the platform is designed to make it easy for users with little or no coding skills to build new capabilities into Teams using Microsoft Power Apps and Microsoft Power Virtual Agents. SEE: Microsoft Teams: A cheat sheet (free PDF) (TechRepublic) Many businesses have been looking to automate time-consuming manual processes since the coronavirus forced them to divert time and resources away from lengthy development processes. As such, low-code/no-code solutions have enjoyed a surge in popularity by allowing organisations to automate workflows quickly, and with minimal resource investment. As Microsoft explained in its original announcement, Dataflex aims to remove the hassle of back-end tech logistics for creating and deploying new business tools for its enterprise customers. Power Virtual Agents allow users to easily create chatbots using Microsoft's natural language processing and AI smarts, and then integrate these into workflows using Power Automate. Microsoft's Power BI is also included in Dataflex, offering users a unified visualisation hub and searchable repository for data across the organisation. Dataflex assigns access and security roles automatically, based on whether they are an Owner, Member or Guest, though these can be customised by administrators. Because Dataflex is integrated directly into Teams, users don't need to switch applications or connect to additional data sources in order to build and deploy new Teams apps. Instead, organisations can find, filter and sort relational data directly within Teams, and then create scenario specific, custom data tables based on the Common Data Model (CDM). Support for additional CDM-based tables is coming soon, Microsoft said. Image: Microsoft In Dataflex for Teams, data, apps, chatbots and workflows are stored within a single environment that supports backup, point-in-time-restore, and disaster recovery. This means that when a team is deleted, its associated environment is also deleted. Each Team environment features 2GB capacity, capable of storing approximately one million rows of data, according to Microsoft. In addition to building custom bots and applications that can be shared with other users and departments across the organisation, Dataflex also features a gallery of pre-made templates that can be tailored to a business' own requirements. Teams users can then automate workflows with these solutions using Power Automate. SEE: TechRepublic Premium editorial calendar: IT policies, checklists, toolkits, and research for download (TechRepublic Premium) Dataflex will be bundled for no additional charge with every Office 365 and Microsoft 365 subscription that includes a Teams license, which will appear in public preview from August. "In Teams, people collaborate around documents in different ways – some you create yourself, some you create in collaboration with teammates, or others you acquire from trusted sources," said Marc Mercuri, Microsoft's principal product project manager for Dataflex. "Power Platform and Dataflex for Teams bring this same model to building and using apps, chatbots, flows, and data." Microsoft Weekly Newsletter Be your company's Microsoft insider by reading these Windows and Office tips, tricks, and cheat sheets. Delivered Mondays and Wednesdays Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-10 

 Learn how to start Google Meet quickly, manage Meet audio and video from your keyboard, modify how Meet displays, and more. Photo: Andy Wolber/TechRepublic When you combine a Chromebook (a device built for the web) with Google Meet (an app built for web meetings), you get one of the simplest and most reliable ways to hold a video conference. The device and app automatically adjust to deliver the best combination of video and audio possible. Many people access Google Meet by clicking a link either in Google Calendar or Gmail. The following tips offer several different ways to start and control Meet features on a Chromebook. (For all of these, you'll need to be signed in to your Chromebook with a Google account that has Google Meet access enabled.) How to start a meeting To start a new session with Google Meet, open a new browser window (try: Ctrl+N), type meet.new in the address bar, then press enter. This sequence puts you at a Google Meet preview screen, from which you may Join Now, Present, or Join And Use A Phone For Audio. Meet.new, much like other browser shortcuts (e.g., doc.new, meeting.new, note.new, sheet.new, slides.new), gives you a way to type a short command to open a web app. How to display upcoming Google Meet sessions To review Google Meet sessions for the day, go to meet.google.com in a browser window (Figure A). This page displays the current date and time (in the upper left), upcoming meetings associated with your account, and the option to +Join Or Start A Meeting. Figure A How to pin Google Meet to the Shelf On a Chromebook, if you plan to use Google Meet often, add it to the Shelf for one-click (or tap) access. Follow these steps to add Google Meet to the Shelf. 1. Open a new Chrome window and go to https://meet.google.com. 2. Select the three vertical dots in the upper right corner of Chrome, then choose More Tools, then Create Shortcut (Figure B). Figure B 3. Select the blue Create button (Figure C). This adds Meet as a Shortcut in the Launcher. Figure C 4. Select the Launcher (the circle, typically in the lower left portion of the Shelf). 5. Type Meet in the search box. 6. Right-click on the Meet icon that displays, then choose Pin To Shelf (Figure D). Figure D The Meet icon should now display on the Shelf. When you click (or tap on) it, meet.google.com will open in a new browser tab. For other ways to start Google Meet, read 7 ways to access Google Meet. How to display keyboard controls While in an active Google Meet session, press ctrl+/ to display available keyboard shortcuts for Meet (Figure E). This key combination also works to display keyboard shortcuts in most G Suite apps. (I tend to remember the combination by the other punctuation element found on the same key: ctrl+?.) Figure E As of early August 2020, Google Meet keyboard shortcuts include: ctrl + d to mute (or unmute) your microphone + to mute (or unmute) your microphone ctrl + e to turn your webcam off (or on) + to turn your webcam off (or on) ctrl + alt + c to display (or hide) chat + + to display (or hide) chat ctrl + alt + p to display (or hide) the list of people in the session + + to display (or hide) the list of people in the session ctrl + alt + s to announce the current speaker + + to announce the current speaker ctrl+alt+i to announce current information about the room How to modify how Google Meet displays on your screen Press the full screen key (Figure F) on a Chromebook while in a Google Meet session to fill your screen with your meeting--this hides the Shelf, the address, and bookmark bars, as well as other tabs that you may have open. An additional press on the full screen key exits full screen mode. Figure F When not in full-screen mode, you may choose to move the window with Google Meet to a portion of your screen. Two key combinations to try: alt + [ to toggle the window between the left portion of the screen or centered, and + to toggle the window between the left portion of the screen or centered, and alt+] to toggle the window between the right portion of the screen or centered. The above alt-bracket combinations are useful when you want to display or refer to other information while in a Google Meet session. (These combinations let you quickly re-position not only Chrome browser windows, but also Android apps on your Chromebook.) How to take a screenshot to save information Chrome OS includes two built-in keyboard controls that let you capture either a full or partial screenshot. This can be a fast way to preserve information displayed on screen during a Google Meet session. On a Chromebook, use the following shortcuts: ctrl +show windows keys to take a screenshot ( Figure G ), or +show windows keys to take a screenshot ( ), or ctrl+shift+show windows keys, then click and drag the cursor to select an area of the screen to take a screenshot of a portion of the display. Access these screenshots wherever your Chromebook has been configured to save downloads. (To adjust where Chrome OS saves downloads, open chrome://settings/downloads on your Chromebook, then modify the settings.) Figure G How to add an in-house live stream If your G Suite account includes the ability to live stream from Meet to people in your organization, you may create a live stream link when you start a new Meet session (Figure H). Select the three vertical dots displayed in the lower right corner of the video preview page, then choose Add An In-house Live Stream. This creates and displays a link that you may copy and share with people in your organization. Remember, this sort of live stream may only be accessed by people who are signed in to an account within your organization. Figure H What's your experience? What has your experience with Google Meet on a Chromebook been? Do you use keyboard controls to adjust audio, video, or to control how Meet displays on screen? Let me know your best tips for using Google Meet on a Chromebook, either in the comments below or on Twitter (@awolber). Google Weekly Newsletter Learn how to get the most out of Google Docs, Google Cloud Platform, Google Apps, Chrome OS, and all the other Google products used in business environments. Delivered Fridays Sign up today Also see 

  Published Date: 2020-08-05 

 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption "Now I'm shaking, all the way from up to down" A number of Beirut port officials are being placed under house arrest pending an investigation into Tuesday's huge explosion, Lebanon's government says. The blast killed at least 135 people and injured more than 4,000 others. A two-week state of emergency has begun. President Michel Aoun said the blast was caused by 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate stored unsafely in a warehouse. Customs chief Badri Daher said his agency called for the chemical to be removed, but "this did not happen". "We leave it to the experts to determine the reasons," he said. Ammonium nitrate is used as a fertiliser in agriculture and as an explosive. Opening an emergency cabinet meeting on Wednesday, President Aoun said: "No words can describe the horror that has hit Beirut last night, turning it into a disaster-stricken city". Specialists at the University of Sheffield in the UK estimate that the blast had about one tenth of the explosive power of the atomic bomb dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima during World War Two and was "unquestionably one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions in history". What triggered the explosion? The ammonium nitrate had reportedly been in a warehouse in Beirut port for six years after it was unloaded from a ship impounded in 2013. The head of Beirut port and the head of the customs authority both told local media that they had written to the judiciary several times asking that the chemical be exported or sold on to ensure port safety. Port General Manager Hassan Koraytem told OTV that they had been aware that the material was dangerous when a court first ordered it stored in the warehouse, "but not to this degree". Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Mother in labour during Beirut blast Lebanon's Supreme Defence Council has vowed that those found responsible will face the "maximum punishment" possible. Economy Minister Raoul Nehme told the BBC: "I think it is incompetence and really bad management and there are a lot of responsibilities from management and probably previous governments. We do not intend after such an explosion to stay silent on who is responsible for what." House arrest would apply for all port officials "who have handled the affairs of storing [the] ammonium nitrate, guarding it and handling its paperwork" since June 2014, Information Minister Manal Abdel Samad said. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Rami Ruhayem has been to Gemmayze, the closest residential area to the port The ammonium nitrate arrived on a Moldovan-flagged ship, the Rhosus, which entered Beirut port after suffering technical problems during its voyage from Georgia to Mozambique, according to Shiparrested.com, which deals with shipping-related legal cases. The Rhosus was inspected, banned from leaving and was shortly afterwards abandoned by its owners, sparking several legal claims. Its cargo was stored in a port warehouse for safety reasons, the report said. Another attempt to dodge the blame? By Sebastian Usher, BBC Arab Affairs Editor Volunteers have poured onto the streets of Beirut to help clear up the devastation while others have been visiting the worst affected areas in a state of shock. The government has been promising a full and transparent investigation and told the military to put those responsible for storing the vast quantity of ammonium nitrate under house arrest. But Beirutis have been unimpressed, seeing it as another attempt by the political elite to dodge the blame for disaster. Instead, they are demanding full accountability. Many on social media have welcomed the generosity of those offering help from around the world, but have asked people to avoid making any donations through the government, which they now regard as terminally corrupt and incompetent. More on the explosion in Beirut What is the latest on rescue efforts? Security forces have sealed off a wide area around the blast site, and rescuers have been looking for bodies and survivors under rubble while boats searched the waters off the coast. Tens of people are still missing. Public Health Minister Hamad Hassan said Lebanon's health sector was short of beds and lacked the equipment necessary to treat the injured and care for patients in critical condition. He said a "large number of children" had been rescued but added that he feared that the number of dead would rise further. Interactive See extent of damage at Beirut blast site 5 August 2020 25 January 2020 The Saint Georges hospital near the site of the explosion was badly damaged and several members of staff were killed. Three Beirut hospitals were closed with two others only partially operational, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. The body said it would airlift medical supplies to Lebanon on Wednesday evening. Meanwhile, many buildings and homes have been reduced to an uninhabitable mess of glass and as many as 300,000 people have been left homeless, Beirut's governor Marwan Aboud said. Image copyright EPA Image caption The explosion devastated Beirut's port area A number of countries have offered humanitarian assistance. Three French planes are due to arrive carrying 55 rescuers, medical equipment and a mobile clinic equipped to treat 500 people, and President Emmanuel Macron will visit on Thursday. The EU, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Iran and Qatar are all sending relief supplies. The UK is also ready to send medical experts and humanitarian aid, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. Ammonium nitrate Image copyright Reuters Common industrial chemical used mainly as fertiliser in agriculture Also one of the main components in explosives used in mining Not explosive on its own, ignites only under the right circumstances When it explodes, it can release toxic gases including nitrogen oxides and ammonia gas Strict rules on how to store it safely: site has to be fire-proofed, and not have any drains, pipes or other channels in which ammonium nitrate could build up What's the background? The explosion comes at a sensitive time for Lebanon. With Covid-19 infections on the rise, hospitals were already struggling to cope. Now, they are faced with treating thousands of injured people. The country is also going through the worst economic crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war, and tensions were already high with street demonstrations against the government. People have to deal with daily power cuts, a lack of safe drinking water and limited public healthcare. Image copyright EPA Image caption About 300,000 people have had to leave damaged homes Lebanon imports most of its food and large quantities of grain stored in the port have been destroyed causing fears of widespread food insecurity to come. The future of the port itself is in doubt due to the destruction caused. President Aoun announced that the government would release 100 billion lira (£50.5m; $66m) of emergency funds but the impact of the blast on the economy is expected to be long-lasting. The explosion happened close to the scene of a huge car bombing which killed former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in 2005. A verdict in the trial of four men accused of orchestrating the attack was due on Friday at a special court in the Netherlands, but this has been postponed until 18 August out of respect for the victims of Tuesday's blast. Have you been personally affected by this story? If you feel able to do so please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-05 

 Video Emmanuelle was getting ready to give birth at St George's hospital in Beirut when an explosion rocked Lebanon's capital. Her husband Edmond captured the terrifying ordeal on camera. He spoke to BBC World News about what happened. Their son, George, arrived shortly after. Mum and baby are both doing well. 

  Published Date: 2020-08-05 

 Image copyright PA Media Image caption Staff at The Grill in Aberdeen tidied up and locked the doors at 17:00 on Wednesday for at least seven days Lockdown restrictions have been reimposed in Aberdeen due to a coronavirus cluster in the city, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Pubs and restaurants were ordered to close by 17:00 on Wednesday. People are being told not to travel to Aberdeen, and those living in the city face travel restrictions. Ms Sturgeon said there were now 54 cases in the "significant outbreak" and that community transmission could not be ruled out. The restrictions mean that the 228,000 people who live in the Aberdeen city area are no longer allowed into each others' houses. They are being told not to travel more than five miles for leisure purposes. Travelling for work or education is permitted, but other travel is not advised. People who are visiting Aberdeen do not need to leave, but should follow the guidance and take "extra care" when they return home. The restrictions will be reviewed next Wednesday and may be extended further if necessary. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Nicola Sturgeon said the new restrictions would be enforced if necessary Police Scotland said there would be additional patrols in Aberdeen, and that officers would continue the approach shown throughout the pandemic. Deputy Chief Constable Will Kerr added: "Our officers will continue to explain the legislation and guidance but, for the minority who may choose to breach the regulations and risk the health of others, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where appropriate." Ms Sturgeon said the situation in Aberdeen should be "the biggest wake-up call" since the early days of the pandemic. The first minister said the rise in cases around the world had been worrying her in recent weeks, but that for many people this could seem far away. "There's always a sense of 'we're doing well and it won't happen here'," she said. "It can happen here and it is happening here, in Aberdeen." Covid-19 cases in NHS Grampian Confirmed cases over last 30 days Details of the cluster, which was initially linked to people who had visited the Hawthorn Bar on 26 July, first emerged on Sunday. Ms Sturgeon said 54 cases had now been associated with the cluster and 191 close contacts had been traced through the Test and Protect system. NHS Grampian has published a list of venues which have been visited by people linked to the cluster, including 28 bars and cafes. They are: Bieldside Inn, Bobbin, Brewdog (Castlegate), Buckie Farm Carvery, Café Andaluz, Café Dag, Café Drummond, The Cock & Bull, College Bar, The Dutch Mill, Dyce Carvery, East End Social Club, Ferryhill House Hotel, Hawthorn/Adam Lounge, The Howff, The Justice Mill, The Marine Hotel, McGinty's, McNasty's, Malmaison, Moonfish Café, No.10 Bar, O'Donoghues, Old Bank Bar, Prohibition, Soul, Spider's Web, The Draft Project. The list also includes Aboyne, Deeside and Hazelhead golf clubs, and the Banks O'Dee Football Club. People who have visited any of these premises recently are being urged to be "extra vigilant" about symptoms. Scotland has favoured a "boots on the ground" approach when it comes to Test and Protect. As soon as a cluster is detected, local NHS health protection teams take charge of the incident. The belief is that local knowledge is the best way to break a cluster down. It is about that basic principle of person, place and time, and local teams do the detective work. Where has the initial positive case been? Who have they been in contact with? They need to build up a picture of risk from where transmission started. Ms Sturgeon said the decision to reimpose restrictions had been taken "extremely reluctantly" after discussions with NHS Grampian, Police Scotland and the city council. Asked if it was safe for schools to reopen in Aberdeen next week, the first minister said: "If it's a choice between hospitality and schools, we are choosing schools right now." Image caption The cluster was initially linked to the Hawthorn bar in Aberdeen The first minister said restrictions on hospitality businesses would be backed by legislation and enforced if necessary. But she added: "I would expect the way they have behaved in recent days the owners of these businesses in Aberdeen will act voluntarily, and I would thank businesses in hospitality for their co-operation so far." The Federation of Small Businesses said government "at all levels" would need to "step up" and help those affected. Andrew McRae said: "While local lockdowns might be necessary to prevent additional nationwide restrictions, today's announcement will be a hammer blow for independent firms in Aberdeen and the north east." Bar owner Colin Cameron told BBC Reporting Scotland: "I'm angry. I'm disappointed. Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Bar owner Colin Cameron says he is disappointed by the blanket lockdown "I thought with the closure of some pubs in Aberdeen that that might be enough to allow us to continue. It is disappointing for the staff and for the customers, all of whom have abided by the regulations very carefully." Asked if he thought it would be kept to last seven days, Mr Cameron replied: "I would hope it is, and I will count down the days, but I'm not sure. If it's longer, then that's unfortunate but I would like to see the customers back next Thursday."