Slack is a popular communication platform that organizes text based communication and file sharing into channels and threads. It is used by a variety of enterprises, including eBay, LinkedIn, EA and BuzzFeed. An overview of Slack is available in the video below.
Although Slack is available as a browser application, working with multiple Slack teams is a bit easier using the installed app. Notifications are also easier to work with and configure via the installed application.
- Windows - https://slack.com/downloads/windows
- Mac - https://slack.com/downloads/osx
- Linux - https://slack.com/downloads/linux
Primary communication is organized into channels. Within a single Slack team, you can have multiple channels, both private and public. By default, anyone in a Slack team can create private and public channels. Remember the following:
- Public channels: anyone in the Slack team can join
- Private channels: people have to be invited to join
It can be tough finding a specific message within a channel. Also, the free version of slack only allows for a specific number of messages to be retained. Pinning messages allows for important messages to be saved and reviewed later. For details on how to pin messages, see https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/205239997-Pin-messages-or-files. Pinned messages can be viewed from the channel info panel
You're busy and a constant stream of messages can be tough to process when you're crunched for time. Using reminders allows you to get a notification from Slack after a specific period of time. For details on how to set reminders on messages, see https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/208423427-Set-a-reminder
Sometimes there may be a message you want everyone in a channel to be notified about. If you prepend @here to your message, then everyone that is active on Slack, within the channel, will get a notification. If you prepend @channel to your message, then everyone in the channel, regardless if they are online or not will get a notification.
Slack has a fair amount of functionality and more is added constantly. Getting access to this functionality using the user interface can be frustrating at times. Slack provides shortcuts to a variety of actions, directly from the chat interface using slash commands. A full list of available slash commands is available at https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/201259356-Slash-commands
You will likely find yourself a part of many channels within any given team. Some channels may have far more activity going on that may not always be relevant to you. Muting a channel allows you to remain in the channel, without getting notifications everytime a message is posted.
Although Slack started as a text based communication platform, you can now make voice (and video) calls to individuals and entire channels. At this time, free users of Slack can only make individual voice calls.
There is a call button, but in case it's hard to find, you can always type /call within any direct message window to call that person directly.
Recently, Slack released a feature that allows messages to be grouped into something called a thread. Threads are useful for segmenting channel conversations, especially if have a channel with more than a few people posting. Slack's guide to the Thread feature is available at https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/115000769927-Message-threads
Above the channel listing, you should see a menu item that says All Threads. Clicking on this will show all threads that have new messages contained within. It's a great way to keep up with the threads you are following.