1. PC Community March 2012

2. What you need: Google Account Web Camera Microphone and Speakers Google+ Hangout

3. Click on Google+ in the upper left toolbar. Google+ Hangout

4. Click on “+You” and set up your Google+ profile and your Google+ settings including privacy settings. Google+ Hangout

5. Sign in. You will see an interface that looks a little like Facebook. Note that “Hangouts” is in the right menu. Google+ Hangout

6. Click on the “Start a hangout” button. Once the image appears, you have an opportunity to adjust the sound, fix your hair, etc... Google+ Hangout

7. You also will be able to add a “Circle” to the Hangout. Google+ Hangout

8. You can create a circle of participants before you start the hangout. Group the people you want in a category of your choosing. Google+ Hangout

9. Some examples of categories of circles would be: Friends Family Work Hobbies. Google+ Hangout

10. If you have created a “Circle” of people for the hangout, click on “Your circles” and select the appropriate circle. Google+ Hangout

11. If you want to invite people who are not in one your circles, start the hangout, then click on the “Invite” link. Google+ Hangout

12. Add the person’s email address to the dialog box, then click back in the box. Once the name displays, click the “Invite” button. Google+ Hangout

13. Notice that the people in the Hangout appear on the bottom of the screen. Arrange a time in advance so the people you want will be expecting their invitation. If they are already logged in to Google+, they will receive an audible notification about the Hangout and it will appear in the right menu. You can share an open window on your desktop as well as YouTube videos by clicking on “Screenshare.” Google+ Hangout

14. You can mute your microphone at any time. You can mute anyone else’s microphone as well, but they can turn it back on. Only 10 people can participate (in the free version). Anyone in the Hangout can invite anyone else. Hangout also works with iPhones and other SmartPhones. Download the app from the appropriate store. Browser enabled phones won’t need an app, like Windows Phones, Blackberries. Google+ Hangout

15. Get all the information you need about Hangouts by clicking on the “Help” link at the top of the right menu. Google+ Hangout