Privacy IS NOT The Only Reason and I'm Not Being Stubborn ... Zoom

[Sherri is a Cat]

A few of you know of my recent adventures with Zoom. Although I have stated several reasons for insisting on containing Zoom, it seems that only one of them is remembered.

Privacy is NOT the only reason.
Zoom is NOT OPTIONAL for me.
A multitude of problems exist ONLY if Zoom installed on my system and they are worse if the app is open.
I have the exact same problems on 2 separate machines IF Zoom is installed.
Some critical tools do not function properly, not at all, or they are absent.


Zoom is not optional

I host and chair meetings regularly on Zoom multiple times a week and sometimes multiple times a day. There are typically at least 30-40 participants, there have been as many as 80 or more. These meetings are essential for me. They are not something I can do without.

Zoom is problematic
This is true when I install

• The flatpak
• If I download and install the Workplace app from Zoom itself

Joining from 3 different browsers has resulted in 3 sets of problems unique to each browser.


Here is a sampling of problems I experience when Zoom is installed (on both of my machines.)

• Example 1
  • At 1:55pm I'm watching a YouTube video. There are no problems. I can hear and see everything fine
  • At 1:58 pm I sign into Zoom and join a meeting.
    • I can't hear the other people talking.
    • I switch back to the YouTube video, I can't hear that now either.
    • I decide to log out of Zoom then log back in.
    • Now I can't close the meeting.
    • I can't close the browser or open another tab.
    • I can't shut down or restart the computer.
    • I can't do any thing at all other than move my mouse around the screen.
    • After waiting a while I give up and shut down my machine manually
• Example 2
  • I have decided to leave the meeting.
    • After exiting Zoom, I can still hear people talking
    • I wait several minutes for it to stop
      • It doesn't
    • Other than the voices I'm continuing to hear, there is absolutely no indication that the Zoom app is open at all.
    • I do not know how to
      1. Find out what processes are running
      2. How to stop a process that I can identify as the problem
    • If I knew how to do those things I would.
    • I don't know, so my only option is to restart my machine
      • It is possible that I will have to restart it manually
• Example 3
  • This one can happen in any OS. However, I've been using Zoom for about 5 years now. I'm more than qualified to tell you it most definitely happens much more often using Linux Mint
  • I get knocked out of the meeting.
    • This is can be a VERY BAD THING IF I'M HOSTING. The entire meeting will shut down if the host leaves, intentionally or not.
• Example 4
  • My entire system freezes up
    • I can't do a single thing other than stare at the monitor
    • Yes, this can happen inside any OS but it frequently happens if Zoom is open.

Problems when joining from a browser

So far I have tried 3 different browsers. The problems here are especially problematic if I host or chair. I don't have all the tools to host/chair a meeting or they don't work.

• I couldn't see anyone.
• I can't pin participants
• Chat is perpetually stuck at the first post
• Names are not grouped alphabetically
• Raised hands are not grouped together or in order

Yesterday I had to force Zoom to shut down inside a Bottle.


Not one of these problems exist until I install Zoom.

 

[Mike-BTU]

A few of you know of my recent adventures with Zoom. Although I have stated several reasons for insisting on containing Zoom, it seems that only one of them is remembered.

Privacy is NOT the only reason.
Zoom is NOT OPTIONAL for me.
A multitude of problems exist ONLY if Zoom installed on my system and they are worse if the app is open.
I have the exact same problems on 2 separate machines IF Zoom is installed.
Some critical tools do not function properly, not at all, or they are absent.


Zoom is not optional

I host and chair meetings regularly on Zoom multiple times a week and sometimes multiple times a day. There are typically at least 30-40 participants, there have been as many as 80 or more. These meetings are essential for me. They are not something I can do without.

Zoom is problematic
This is true when I install

• The flatpak
• If I download and install the Workplace app from Zoom itself

Joining from 3 different browsers has resulted in 3 sets of problems unique to each browser.


Here is a sampling of problems I experience when Zoom is installed (on both of my machines.)

• Example 1
  • At 1:55pm I'm watching a YouTube video. There are no problems. I can hear and see everything fine
  • At 1:58 pm I sign into Zoom and join a meeting.
    • I can't hear the other people talking.
    • I switch back to the YouTube video, I can't hear that now either.
    • I decide to log out of Zoom then log back in.
    • Now I can't close the meeting.
    • I can't close the browser or open another tab.
    • I can't shut down or restart the computer.
    • I can't do any thing at all other than move my mouse around the screen.
    • After waiting a while I give up and shut down my machine manually
• Example 2
  • I have decided to leave the meeting.
    • After exiting Zoom, I can still hear people talking
    • I wait several minutes for it to stop
      • It doesn't
    • Other than the voices I'm continuing to hear, there is absolutely no indication that the Zoom app is open at all.
    • I do not know how to
      1. Find out what processes are running
      2. How to stop a process that I can identify as the problem
    • If I knew how to do those things I would.
    • I don't know, so my only option is to restart my machine
      • It is possible that I will have to restart it manually
• Example 3
  • This one can happen in any OS. However, I've been using Zoom for about 5 years now. I'm more than qualified to tell you it most definitely happens much more often using Linux Mint
  • I get knocked out of the meeting.
    • This is can be a VERY BAD THING IF I'M HOSTING. The entire meeting will shut down if the host leaves, intentionally or not.
• Example 4
  • My entire system freezes up
    • I can't do a single thing other than stare at the monitor
    • Yes, this can happen inside any OS but it frequently happens if Zoom is open.

Problems when joining from a browser

So far I have tried 3 different browsers. The problems here are especially problematic if I host or chair. I don't have all the tools to host/chair a meeting or they don't work.

• I couldn't see anyone.
• I can't pin participants
• Chat is perpetually stuck at the first post
• Names are not grouped alphabetically
• Raised hands are not grouped together or in order

Yesterday I had to force Zoom to shut down inside a Bottle.


Not one of these problems exist until I install Zoom.

Why not email this to Zoom?

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

Why not email this to Zoom?

I'm not sure they would care? It didn't occur to me actually. They would probably want me to send a report.

There is no flatpak for LM 22.1

I actually wanted to ask you what distribution you're using for my VM. I stopped with that because I didn't think it would be worth it to put Zoom on a vm just to have the same problems. I'm not up to trial and error right now!

None people who told me they don't have these weird problems with Zoom use Linux Mint.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

Why not email this to Zoom?

I have to jump through too many hoops to tell them there's a problem.

 

[Mike-BTU]

Then print it off and mail it. Problems solved. Just Do It.®

Sending them a link to this site would tell them LOTS of folks have read this, and also have the same problem. Negative publicity gets attention!

Also, I assume that you didn't pay Zoom for their client software. Maybe I will, if we can. (She just broke her leg (long story, nothing major; but she had to quit her job), so it might be awhile before I can also.)

My wife did, and has ZERO issues with Zoom Workplace! She's running Debian 12.10.

 

[gvisoc]

Just remembered that Linux mint is on its early days of adopting Wayland. Maybe that has something to do. Have you tried any of the above forcing your session as X11?

 

[Mike-BTU]

And if you're running these meetings, then take up a collection from your audience.

 

[Mike-BTU]

Just remembered that Linux mint is on its early days of adopting Wayland. Maybe that has something to do. Have you tried any of the above forcing your session as X11?

We are using Wayland.

 

[gvisoc]

We are using Wayland.

Yes, but on Debian, and I bet you're not using Cinnamon. Mint uses cinnamon and that's what is impacted by the change.

What DE are you using?

I use Zoom on Wayland on fedora (Gnome or KDE) without issues as well.

 

[Mike-BTU]

KDE Plasma.

Also, we downloaded Zoom from zoom.us.

I have the same problems as @Sherri, either on Manjaro or Debian. (My wife on Debian does not). My solution on my computer is to install the older versions of Zoom that I saved.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

Sending them a link to this site would tell them LOTS of folks have read this,

I signed in and sent a link to this thread.

I told them I don't have time to mess with tech agents. I really don't want to mess with all the questions they'll probably ask. Did you do this? Did you do that? Blah, blah, blah... I've probably already done those things. I don't have patience right now for someone who''s only qualified to walk me through trouble shooters. Been through that too many times. Not doing it again right now.

I'm going to put Debian 12.10 on my vm. I might even put it on the laptop and use it exclusively for Zoom. That's the only thing I'm using it for now anyway... Hmm

 

[Condobloke]

I use Zoom on Wayland on fedora (Gnome or KDE) without issues as well.

Perhaps that is your answer.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

And if you're running these meetings, then take up a collection from your audience.

It doesn't work that way! Sorry

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

Just remembered that Linux mint is on its early days of adopting Wayland. Maybe that has something to do. Have you tried any of the above forcing your session as X11?

Yesterday I learned what a repository is, a dependency, runner.... um.... prefix.... I think there was another word!

I think it's safe to say 'No'.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

Just remembered that Linux mint is on its early days of adopting Wayland. Maybe that has something to do. Have you tried any of the above forcing your session as X11?

I just read a post in another forum. Apparently, LM began 'experiment support for Wayland' with the release of 21.3.

Would 'Forcing the session as X11' be a runner?

If my determination doesn't give out and I still haven't found a solution I'll keep this one in mind. My brain got a good workout yesterday trying to understand tutorials and terms to figure out how to put Zoom in a Bottle.

 

[gvisoc]

Would 'Forcing the session as X11' be a runner?

That would be more of a "environment change" and it should be crazy easy to do.

There should be a tiny button to see what sessions your user can use before logging in your computer that would allow us to select X11 instead of Wayland.

Maybe someone else can tell you exactly what to do; otherwise it will be an excuse for me to try Mint somewhere and come back to you.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

That would be more of a "environment change" and it should be crazy easy to do.

There should be a tiny button to see what sessions your user can use before logging in your computer that would allow to select X11 instead of Wayland.

Maybe someone else can tell you exactly what to do; otherwise it will be am excuse for me to try Mint somewhere and come back to you.

I just read a post in another forum. Apparently, LM began 'experiment support for Wayland' with the release of 21.3.

 

[Sherri is a Cat]

I don't know what just happened to my reply... I'll tag you in another thread. I have another idea that won't involve digesting another chapter of Linux know-how to do it. My brain got TAXED yesterday!

 

[dos2unix]

I use Zoom on Wayland on fedora (Gnome or KDE) without issues as well.

Same here

But I am using an rpm, not flatpak. There is a .deb package available.
.

 

[dos2unix]

Why not just use the Mint package from Zoom?