====== Slack ======

The RSA Sustainability network use [[https://slack.com|Slack]] as its main online system. The key features are: * channels for general chat among network members, and for work in sub-groups around topics or projects. These may be public and open to everyone in the network, or private to a group. * direct messaging one-to-one or in small ad hoc groups * file uploads and blog posts

We encourage everyone to use Slack so we have a shared common space. Slack is easy to use on mobile devices, and you can set up email notifications to alert you to conversations.

  * [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/218080037-Getting-started-for-new-users|The official Getting Started guide to using Slack]]
  * [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/217626328-Onboarding-checklist-for-new-users|Getting started checklist]]
  * [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/categories/200111606-Using-Slack|All Slack Help]]
  * [[http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/136472-what-is-slack-and-how-does-it-work|What is Slack and how does it work? From Pocket-lint]]

===== Our Quick Start tips =====

==== Sign in ====

Sign in at https://rsasustainability.slack.com/ if you have an invite, or email networks@rsa.org.uk for an invite for yourself or someone you recommend.

Choose something like firstnamelastname for your username so people can recognise you easily. Add a photo or other image to your profile.

[[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/217626328-Onboarding-checklist-for-new-users|Review the getting started checklist]] for some introductory videos

{{:../uploads/slack.jpg| Signup}}

==== Download Slack apps ====

While you can use Slack through your web browser, it is better with desktop and mobile apps. * [[https://slack.com/downloads/|Desktop apps here]] * [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/208401947-Slack-for-iOS|iOS app link and help]] * [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/207691318-Slack-for-Android|Android app link and help]]

==== Look around ====

Here's what Slack looks like on the desktop

{{:../uploads/slackscreen1.jpg| Slack desktop}}

  * You can be signed in to more than one Slack team, and these will show up on the left
  * Channels and direct message options will highlight if there are messages
  * Profiles and notification preferences are at the top. You can set yourself as away
  * Add files with + at the left of the message slot. You can also add a blog post if your message is a long one (desktop only)
  * View files top right. You can also find a directory of members there.

==== When you are ready ====

  * Look through messages to get an idea of people's interests, then introduce yourself
  * Join any of the channels that interest you. You are automatically subscribed to #general
  * Check you have set up notifications to suit your preferences - [[https://get.slack.help/hc/en-us/articles/201895138-Set-up-Slack-notifications|details here]]
  * Get to know people!

==== A few others tips ====

  * If you hit return while in the message slot, your message will be published. To create paragraphs use shift + return
  * Adding @ before a username in a message will send them an alert. @channel alerts everyone. Please use sparingly.
  * You can edit messages - mouse over the message in desktop to get message actions, touch and hold outside text on mobile
  * You can star messages to keep track of important ones
  * Add Google docs rather than uploading Word docs if you want people to read in the app rather than download. You can do this by pasting a URL into the message area
  * Use + beside Direct messages to add one or more people to a private conversation. This allows you to create private small ad hoc groups rather than setting up a channel
  * [[http://thenextweb.com/insider/2015/08/11/the-ultimate-guide-to-doing-anything-in-slack/|More tips here from The Next Web]]