But a Little More Thought Is Needed
by David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
“I know someone means well somewhere,” a resident mused after reading about RIOC’s advisory groups. “But I think I’ve lost it again.”
“At the suggestion of the Roosevelt Island community,” an email announced, “RIOC is putting together several new working advisory groups made up of island residents and RIOC personnel to discuss emergent issues on the island.
“These groups will offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on some of the most pressing issues we face, from safety and transportation to economic development and capital planning.”
But it was something else that caught our friend’s attention: “Community advisory groups will meet via Microsoft Teams…” That’s indeed a problem.
“No one can get a Zoom going?” our friend wondered.
About the RIOC Advisory Groups
This is such a great idea, it shows in flying colors what RIOC can be and do under new, wiser, more open management. Bringing the community and the state agency together to address issues is more forward-looking than anything we’ve seen here in years, maybe ever.
The advisory groups, RIOC says “will offer recommendations and feedback to RIOC on some of the most pressing issues we face, from safety and transportation to economic development and capital planning.”
This is head-turning stuff. Moreover, RIOC has already scheduled a first group co-chaired by resident board member Howard Polivy. In recent committee meetings, Polivy showed that he is a listener open to new ideas and community input.
The first such advisory group will focus on:
RIOC Advisory, March 20th, 2024
- Tramway management during the upcoming Cherry Blossom season – co-Chaired by Roosevelt Island Resident and RIOC Board Member Howard Polivy – First meeting Tuesday, March 26th at 7PM.
Interested in joining this group? Click https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6rhs9AB5EE2M64Dowcge5zeyV2Yq_RBJqztAWTxM7HhUMU85UTFJWFJDTllPVk9UQUhUUEtLTTlDRy4u.
But Then, The Microsoft Teams Thing
In short, if you’re not already a Microsoft user, there’s probably a reason. Either you don’t like their products, you don’t trust them or a concerned with privacy issues. Why RIOC chose Teams over the already widely used Zoom is unknown, but here’s the skinny on Mac and Chrome concerns.
Yes, Microsoft Teams works well with both Macs and Chromebooks, although with some nuances:
Macs:
- Native app available: There’s a dedicated Microsoft Teams app you can download for Mac, offering the fullest functionality similar to the Windows experience. Downloading Microsoft apps may give Mac users pause, and it should. Some may find the technology challenging, especially in implementation.
Chromebooks:
- Web app and Android app: Chromebooks can access Teams through two options:
- Web app: This might be the preferred choice for most Chromebook users. It offers a good user experience through the Chrome browser.
- Android app: An Android app for Teams is downloadable from the Google Play Store on Chromebooks. While functional, it might have slight limitations compared to the web app or the Mac app.
Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Pros (both Macs and Chromebooks):
- Full feature access: You can access most, if not all, of the core functionalities of Teams on both Macs and Chromebooks, including chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and collaboration tools.
- Cross-platform compatibility: Teams works seamlessly across devices, allowing you to collaborate effectively with users on Windows PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, and even mobile devices.
Cons (Chromebooks specifically):
- Limited functionality (Android app): The Android app on Chromebooks might have some limitations compared to the web app or the Mac app.
- Hardware dependence: Performance could be affected by Chromebook hardware specifications, especially for demanding tasks like video conferencing.
Overall, Microsoft Teams is a viable option for both Macs and Chromebooks. If you need the absolute most powerful feature set and don’t mind downloading an app, a Mac might be preferable. Chromebooks can still offer a good Teams experience, especially through the web app, but be mindful of potential hardware limitations.
AVAC: Where the Pipe Curves
This is the final installment in my notes from the December 2nd, Operations Advisory Committee meeting, following “An Emergency, Apparently” and “Rust Is Funny Until It Isn’t”.
