Using Slack at Wellspring

Basics

• intent is to replace email "conversations" and mass one-way communications that are repetitive in nature
• interface is very similar to just about any kind of text messaging type of platform
• communications can be direct messages (typically 1-1, or 1-few) or channels (typically many-many, ie teams, projects, discussion topics)
  • any 1-few/many direct message conversation can be can be converted to a channel
  • a channel can be private (join by invitation) or public (anyone can join)
    • once a channel has been created, members can be invited or removed as needed
  • individuals show in the Direct Messages section or Channels can be starred (basically creating a favorites list in the navigator)
  • individual messages can starred or pinned, messages can also be searched for

Typical things to learn how to do

• direct message one or more people ... use the Direct Message + in the left navigator to message 1 or more people.
• update your profile picture (& other info ... ie timezone, display name) ... click on the plaid icon next to your name in any discussion / message thread and view / edit profile (this may not work universally in all devices / apps).
• review your notification settings ( https://wellspringnc.slack.com/account/notifications )
• install the app on your mobile device/pc/laptop
  • (android) https://slack.com/downloads/android
  • (iphone) https://slack.com/downloads/ios
  • (win pc) https://slack.com/downloads/windows
• add a reaction (emoji) or "+1" any message
• to quickly message anyone ... use this format in ANY message or channel to save yourself a bunch of time /dm PersonOrChannel messagetext or /msg PersonOrChannel messagetext (just remember to use @ for a person and # for a channel)

reminders

To create a daily 9am reminder from slack you can type this as a "message" ...

/remind daily to whatever you want to be reminded of

• If you want it to remind you at another time of day add at noon (or whatever time you prefer) between the words daily and to
• If you want a reminder at a specific day and time, remove daily and replace with the day and time you want to be reminded
• you can right click on any message and use some default reminders available within slack to be reminded about that message
• Of course you can always use your preferred calendar / day planner tool :wink:

---

Advanced stuff

set up a forwarding email address to slack

You can create an email address that just about anyone / anything can use to send emails that show up in your personal slackbot channel. You may need the slack app installed on your computer to do this (I couldn't find this on the apps or on the web browser version).

1. From your desktop, click your workspace name in the top left.
2. Select Preferences from the menu.
3. Click Messages & Media.
4. Scroll down to Bring Emails into Slack and click Get a Forwarding Address. Then, click Copy.
5. Add your Slack-generated address as a new forwarding address in your email application.
6. Check your direct message with Slackbot to make sure you received a forwarding confirmation.

slack help center reference article