Difference between revisions of "Slack (Application)"
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| − | Slack is a team collaboration and messaging application founded in 2013 by Steven Butterfield. The application began as an internal communication tool for employees at Tiny Speck, a Vancouver-based venture that produced | + | '''Slack''' is a team collaboration and messaging application founded in 2013 by Steven Butterfield. At its core functionality, Slack is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The application began as an internal communication tool for employees at Tiny Speck, a Vancouver-based venture that produced the now discontinued game, Glitch. As of January 2017, Slack has one million active daily users. The name, Slack, is an acronym for "Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge". |
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| + | Slack allows for a variety of communication methods ranging from large group chats to one-on-one discussions. The application's channels and direct messaging functionality allows for this. | ||
==Features== | ==Features== | ||
| + | Slack streamlines communication by integrating with numerous third-party services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Trello, Twitter, Wunderlist, Skype and Google+ Hangouts, and Chatlio. These integrations allow for the use of these tools in a single place. Users can also add emojis to their messages, which other users can click on to view the reaction. | ||
===Channels=== | ===Channels=== | ||
| − | Slack channels are a way of organizing team conversations. They can be for a project, topic, team, or anything else where all members have a transparent view of what's going on. Channels are distinguished by the hashtag in front of the channel name. The idea behind incorporating hashtags into Slack channels was to spark conversation, from general to specific | + | Slack channels are a way of organizing team conversations. They can be for a project, topic, team, or anything else where all members have a transparent view of what's going on. Users can be involved in multiple channels at once. Channels are distinguished by the hashtag in front of the channel name. The idea behind incorporating hashtags into Slack channels was to spark conversation, anywhere from general to specific. |
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| − | Channels on Slack can be made public or private. | + | Channels on Slack can be made public or private. Any team member can access a public channel, while only select members can access private channels. For more sensitive information, Slack allows users to create private channels and invite exclusive members to participate. |
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| + | Slack introduced Threads in January 2017. With Threads, users can branch off of channels and take their discussions outside of the main channel without opening a brand new channel or Direct Message. Threaded conversations connect related messages and help manage the various topics being talked about in Slack. | ||
===Direct Messages=== | ===Direct Messages=== | ||
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===Calls=== | ===Calls=== | ||
| + | Using Slack’s Windows or Mac desktop application, users can make voice calls with anyone on their Slack team. Anyone can make one-on-one calls, while only paid Slack users and teams can make group calls. | ||
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| + | Released in December 2016, Slack Video Calls allow users to talk to one another face-to-face from anywhere in the world. The calls can be made to be one-on-one or group calls. Anyone on a user’s Slack team can call people directly. | ||
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| + | Both Slack Voice and Video Calls do not need the installation of a separate application. When preferred, voice and video calls can still be made using third-party services like Google Hangouts and Skype. Both types of calls have emoji response features, allowing participants to express an emotion about the conversation without interrupting the speaker. | ||
| + | ===Bots=== | ||
| + | Slack has a built-in robot called Slackbot. Slackbot is an automated, full-time assistant, accessible by every Slack user. Slackbot can keep notes as well as manage private files. Users can ask Slackbot questions to help them learn about the application. Located in the Direct Messages part of Slack, Slackbot is meant to keep users organized and on top of their work. | ||
| − | + | Users can customize Slackbot to respond to them in certain ways by creating personalized commands. Defining a trigger word or phrase will automatically elicit a custom response from Slackbot. Configuring Slackbot Responses can make Slackbot respond to messages from team members in public channels. | |
| + | Slack users can install a variety of other bots to help them with a range of tasks from checklist management to team motivation. Slack invests in these bot startups regularly and has a current total of 200 bots for users to install. Some examples of these bots include: | ||
| + | {{columns-list|1| | ||
| + | * Statsbot: a personal analytics assistant powered by AI that gives users data insights. Stats bot can connect to a variety of platforms such as Salesforce, Google Analytics, and Mixpanel. | ||
| + | * Guru: creates a searchable knowledge base for a team based on their conversations on Slack. | ||
| + | * Howdy: automates repetitive tasks so teams can save time and focus on their real work. | ||
| + | * Tatsu: allows teams to perform standup meetings from remote locations. Questions and responses are saved and reported back through the bot or Tatsu application. | ||
| + | * Donut: a team-building bot that pairs team members up to get coffee on a regular basis. | ||
| + | }} | ||
===Search=== | ===Search=== | ||
Revision as of 22:41, 19 February 2017
Slack is a team collaboration and messaging application founded in 2013 by Steven Butterfield. At its core functionality, Slack is an Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The application began as an internal communication tool for employees at Tiny Speck, a Vancouver-based venture that produced the now discontinued game, Glitch. As of January 2017, Slack has one million active daily users. The name, Slack, is an acronym for "Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge".
Slack allows for a variety of communication methods ranging from large group chats to one-on-one discussions. The application's channels and direct messaging functionality allows for this.
Features
Slack streamlines communication by integrating with numerous third-party services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, Trello, Twitter, Wunderlist, Skype and Google+ Hangouts, and Chatlio. These integrations allow for the use of these tools in a single place. Users can also add emojis to their messages, which other users can click on to view the reaction.
Channels
Slack channels are a way of organizing team conversations. They can be for a project, topic, team, or anything else where all members have a transparent view of what's going on. Users can be involved in multiple channels at once. Channels are distinguished by the hashtag in front of the channel name. The idea behind incorporating hashtags into Slack channels was to spark conversation, anywhere from general to specific.
Channels on Slack can be made public or private. Any team member can access a public channel, while only select members can access private channels. For more sensitive information, Slack allows users to create private channels and invite exclusive members to participate.
Slack introduced Threads in January 2017. With Threads, users can branch off of channels and take their discussions outside of the main channel without opening a brand new channel or Direct Message. Threaded conversations connect related messages and help manage the various topics being talked about in Slack.
Direct Messages
Direct messages allow for one-on-one or small group communication away from main channels meant for more focused conversations. Direct messages' content, as well as the files shared, is searchable.
Calls
Using Slack’s Windows or Mac desktop application, users can make voice calls with anyone on their Slack team. Anyone can make one-on-one calls, while only paid Slack users and teams can make group calls.
Released in December 2016, Slack Video Calls allow users to talk to one another face-to-face from anywhere in the world. The calls can be made to be one-on-one or group calls. Anyone on a user’s Slack team can call people directly.
Both Slack Voice and Video Calls do not need the installation of a separate application. When preferred, voice and video calls can still be made using third-party services like Google Hangouts and Skype. Both types of calls have emoji response features, allowing participants to express an emotion about the conversation without interrupting the speaker.
Bots
Slack has a built-in robot called Slackbot. Slackbot is an automated, full-time assistant, accessible by every Slack user. Slackbot can keep notes as well as manage private files. Users can ask Slackbot questions to help them learn about the application. Located in the Direct Messages part of Slack, Slackbot is meant to keep users organized and on top of their work.
Users can customize Slackbot to respond to them in certain ways by creating personalized commands. Defining a trigger word or phrase will automatically elicit a custom response from Slackbot. Configuring Slackbot Responses can make Slackbot respond to messages from team members in public channels.
Slack users can install a variety of other bots to help them with a range of tasks from checklist management to team motivation. Slack invests in these bot startups regularly and has a current total of 200 bots for users to install. Some examples of these bots include:
- Statsbot: a personal analytics assistant powered by AI that gives users data insights. Stats bot can connect to a variety of platforms such as Salesforce, Google Analytics, and Mixpanel.
- Guru: creates a searchable knowledge base for a team based on their conversations on Slack.
- Howdy: automates repetitive tasks so teams can save time and focus on their real work.
- Tatsu: allows teams to perform standup meetings from remote locations. Questions and responses are saved and reported back through the bot or Tatsu application.
- Donut: a team-building bot that pairs team members up to get coffee on a regular basis.
Search
References
Topic claimed by Samantha Reilly
