QUICK START
The essential steps for getting started in Slack:
- To request joining our Slack workspace, click here. This should open a page in your web browser.
- From here, follow the on-screen instructions. When done, you will have joined IEB’s Slack.
- Next, explore and join Channels. From here you can follow conversations on specific topics — and post your own comments as desired.
NOT QUITE AS QUICK START
So you want to join Indivisible East Bay on Slack and become part of the most active and dedicated part of the IEB community? Fantastic! You’ve come to the right place.
What is Slack?
Slack is a messaging platform designed to promote communication among groups of people with a shared interest. It has similarity to other messaging platforms — such as text messages, Facebook and X (aka Twitter) — but with its own unique spin.
You can access Slack via a web browser (https://slack.com/), but it works best if you download and use the Slack app (which has versions for Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad and Android).
Any sort of group — organization, company, political party and such — can create a presence on Slack. In Slack parlance, the group is referred to as a team and the presence they create is called a workspace.
Indivisible East Bay is one such team and we have a workspace on Slack.
How to join Indivisible East Bay on Slack
A. The simplest and most direct way to join Slack is to use this link. This will take you to a web page (see below), with instructions on how to join the Indivisible East Bay Slack workspace. When done, you’re in. That’s it.
B. Alternatively, if the above link does not appear to work, you can instead request an invitation to join, typically via our email address: info@indivisibleeb.org.
Within a day or so of requesting an invitation, you should receive an email reply that contains a JOIN NOW button. Click it.
This will take you to the sign-in webpage. Here you will have an opportunity to accept the JOIN NOW invitation, simply by entering your name [and possibly a security confirmation]. You are now signed in. That’s it. You should be taken to Indivisible East Bay’s Slack workspace.
Either way, you typically won’t have to sign in ever again. Just launch the Slack app (or browser web site) and you’re back.
Navigating Slack
Once you’re in the Indivisible East Bay workspace, check the far left column. Ideally, you should have the Home icon selected (see figure below). If not, select it. Exactly what you see at the top the next column to the right can vary, but expect items such as Unreads (which will be in bold if you have unread messages).
Below these initial items will be a section called Channels (again, see figure below). If you continue scrolling down, you will eventually reach a section called Direct Messages (you can also access this section by selecting the DMs icon in the far left column). These two sections are the key to using Slack.
Channels: Channels are like subgroups or chat rooms within the main IEB workspace; each one devoted to a different topic (such as #election). Each channel name is preceded by a hashtag (#); include the hashtag when referring to the channel in Slack, so that Slack can identify the name as a channel name.
You are automatically a member of a few general channels (such as #introductions) without having to do anything further. Otherwise, to fully interact within a channel, you need to join it. To do so, click on the channel name (if visible). Otherwise, click the Add Channels option at the bottom of the list of channels (see figure below) and select Browse channels to see a full list of all available channels. From there, you can select to join any of the listed channels simply by clicking the Join button that appears when you hover over the channel’s name. That’s it.
Once you’ve joined a channel, you can follow the messages that have been posted there. And most importantly, you can post your own messages — via the box at the bottom of the window.
Each time you return to Slack, you can check on what new messages have been added since your last visit. And, if desired, add your own comments/opinions/questions. This is how you keep up with all that’s going inside Indivisible East Bay — and interact with all the other members.
Direct Messages: If you want to converse just with a specific person (or small group of persons), you can do so via Direct Messages. To do this, select the desired person’s name(s) if visible. If it’s not visible, you can search for a name by clicking the + button that appears when your cursor hovers over the Direct Messages title. In the To: line that appears, begin typing the name of the person you want to DM. Their name should appear in the pop-up menu, allowing you to select it.
When citing a member’s name in something you type, precede it with an @ sign: @susan_jones.
While anyone can view messages you post in channels, only the people included in a direct message can view what you post there. It’s private.
[Note: There are also locked/private channels. You will see a few listed in the first figure above (e.g., #calendar), You won’t see these channels unless you are invited to join one; you needn’t worry about this for now.]
Searching: You can search for specific prior posts via the Search Indivisible East Bay text box at the top of the window. However, posts and messages are only saved for 90 days; after that time, Slack deletes them.
Profile: To edit your name, email address, etc., click the “person” icon at the bottom left corner of the Slack window and select Profile.
Is that all there is?
Yup. That’s it. Now you know everything there is to know about Slack.
Just kidding.
Actually, we’ve only scratched the surface. But this should be enough to get you started. You can learn the rest over time, as you continue to use Slack. We remain available if you have questions. Or you can check out the wealth of online resources. Here are two sites specifically geared for beginners:
How to use Slack: your quick start guide: https://slack.com/help/articles/360059928654-How-to-use-Slack–your-quick-start-guide
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Slack: https://www.getairspeed.com/blog/the-ultimate-beginners-guide-to-slack/
See you on Slack!