[kwlug-disc] Anyone using Zoom on Linux

[Chris Irwin]

On Mon, Jan 12, 2026 at 02:54:23AM -0500, William Park via kwlug-disc wrote:
>Anyone using Zoom on Linux?
>What is your camera/speaker/mic setup?  All in one, or separate?

Zoom no, but I was using Teams for a few years, until I was recently 
switched to Windows at work.

The specific software really doesn't matter too much, as Zoom isn't 
implementing audio handling, that will be pipewire on a modern system.

I used desktop speakers + laptop's built-in mic for a few years on Teams 
(still do, but was recently switched to Windows for work)

>Background:
>-----------
>    - I have lots of 3.5mm earphones/mic (from old phones) with single 
>combo plug.  Problem is, my desktop has separate "mic" jack.  Also, 
>some of 3.5mm jacks are broken.

If you like your 3.5mm headsets, you can get an adapter, just make sure 
you get the right direction:

https://www.amazon.ca/Black-Splitter-Headphone-Microphone-Connector/dp/B071NDLCGC

>    - So, I bought $5 bluetooth speaker from Dollarama, which has 
>speaker and mic.  Speaker works with CachyOS, but not mic.

Bluetooth audio devices will usually have two profiles: A high-quality 
stereo output, and a low-quality mono output + mic input.

With my bluetooth headphones on Gnome (on Fedora 43, if that matters), 
they are actually listed as two separate devices in sound settings: 
"Headphones" and "Handsfree".

 From experimentation in the past, they can not be used at the same time, 
and I remember the system not being able to switch if sound was in use. 
It was quite frustrating.

However, whatever magic has happened since I last tested this years ago, 
it actually switched-over fairly gracefully when I just tested it. But 
it may require tweaking in your sound settings to set the preferred mic 
(the Mic shows up twice as well, but one doesn't actually work)

That said, I wouldn't assume a $5 bluetooth speaker would provide a 
better experience than even a cheap wired headset.

>    - Maybe, all I need is USB "headset" (headphones + mic)?

For simplicity sake, avoiding bluetooth will save you a bit of headache. 

But whether you want speakers + mic, headphones + mic, or a headset, 
this is really just a matter of preference.

-- 
Chris Irwin

email:   chris at chrisirwin.ca
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