Post by marcus on Dec 11, 2016 15:20:40 GMT
Hello all,
Yesterday the subject was broached about starting a Slack Server for the Green Berets to increase unit cooperation and cohesion. It was agreed that we'd start using it. So, wihtout further ado, I'd like to announce that the server is up!
What is Slack?
Slack is an instantaneous messaging application that allows you to message and watch replies in real time. It is made up normally of multiple channels within a single server, each channel set up to serve a purpose, such as a channel for announcing training, a channel for rallying for ops, etc. Slack is available both as a computer application and a mobile app. I would heavily suggest downloading the free mobile app, as a ping at you or a channel you belong in will notify your phone in the same way a text message would.
What is a ping?
A ping is like a poke on teamspeak. Its a direct attention grab to the affected parties, and consists of two different kinds of pings, individual and channel pings. An individual ping is done by using the @ symbol then a users name, so if I were to ping anderson, I would use "@anderson" then the following message would ping him to look at it. Alternatively, one can use channel ping if everyone needs to be informed. So, say training is happening, and everyone needs to know about it. Ideally, everyone would be a part of the training channel on slack. at that point, youd go to that channel, and use "@channel" and then type your message. every person on that channel will get a pending notification in real time.
Why is this useful over the forums?
Instantaneous communication and the ability to ping are very handy tools, used by top of the line gaming clans the world over. As an owner of two slack servers already, I can say that it is wildly successful once it starts to see full use by a group of players. Here on the forums, you have to wait until someone logs in to realize they have a message, or if youre both on you have to refresh to watch for a reply. On slack, if I send you a message with a ping attached, youll know on the other side that you have a message waiting that probably needs a response ASAP. Also, on slack, no refresh is necessary, since all conversations take place in real time. This can be really useful for promoting or handing out of medals and such to people that cant make it to that particular function, or posting the minutes of a meeting to those who need to know but couldnt make it.
How do I sign up to Slack?
You can send me a message or reply below with your email address, which I plug into slack and it sends you an invite to your email. once accessed, it will prompt you to create a profile and bam! you are in slack!
How do channels work?
There will be multiple channels, which will be decided on by leadership like Anderson. I can tell you that there will be a public ops channel and a public training channel that everyone can view. Ideally, there will also be individual squad channels. In MWO, how we work this out is a squad leaders creates his squad channel, and invites his members. the only other people besides that squad leader and his squad that should be a part of that channel should be leadership. This helps things run smoothly.
But Marcus, youre just a new recruit, what about your knowledge of all the channels and their contents? Opsec?
A fair point that has been brought up to me before. How this is going to work, is that each squads channels can be locked, get with me and ill explain how to lock your channels so that even I as Slack Admin will need an invite to get into individual squad channels. this ensures privacy and me not seeing things that are outside of my need to know. Eventually, once Anderson gets a feel for how Slack is run, I will transfer wnership of the Slack server to him, and we'll go from there.
With those things said, lets start getting people on slack! The more the merrier!
Respectfully,
CWO Marcus
Section 1, Alpha Platoon
Yesterday the subject was broached about starting a Slack Server for the Green Berets to increase unit cooperation and cohesion. It was agreed that we'd start using it. So, wihtout further ado, I'd like to announce that the server is up!
What is Slack?
Slack is an instantaneous messaging application that allows you to message and watch replies in real time. It is made up normally of multiple channels within a single server, each channel set up to serve a purpose, such as a channel for announcing training, a channel for rallying for ops, etc. Slack is available both as a computer application and a mobile app. I would heavily suggest downloading the free mobile app, as a ping at you or a channel you belong in will notify your phone in the same way a text message would.
What is a ping?
A ping is like a poke on teamspeak. Its a direct attention grab to the affected parties, and consists of two different kinds of pings, individual and channel pings. An individual ping is done by using the @ symbol then a users name, so if I were to ping anderson, I would use "@anderson" then the following message would ping him to look at it. Alternatively, one can use channel ping if everyone needs to be informed. So, say training is happening, and everyone needs to know about it. Ideally, everyone would be a part of the training channel on slack. at that point, youd go to that channel, and use "@channel" and then type your message. every person on that channel will get a pending notification in real time.
Why is this useful over the forums?
Instantaneous communication and the ability to ping are very handy tools, used by top of the line gaming clans the world over. As an owner of two slack servers already, I can say that it is wildly successful once it starts to see full use by a group of players. Here on the forums, you have to wait until someone logs in to realize they have a message, or if youre both on you have to refresh to watch for a reply. On slack, if I send you a message with a ping attached, youll know on the other side that you have a message waiting that probably needs a response ASAP. Also, on slack, no refresh is necessary, since all conversations take place in real time. This can be really useful for promoting or handing out of medals and such to people that cant make it to that particular function, or posting the minutes of a meeting to those who need to know but couldnt make it.
How do I sign up to Slack?
You can send me a message or reply below with your email address, which I plug into slack and it sends you an invite to your email. once accessed, it will prompt you to create a profile and bam! you are in slack!
How do channels work?
There will be multiple channels, which will be decided on by leadership like Anderson. I can tell you that there will be a public ops channel and a public training channel that everyone can view. Ideally, there will also be individual squad channels. In MWO, how we work this out is a squad leaders creates his squad channel, and invites his members. the only other people besides that squad leader and his squad that should be a part of that channel should be leadership. This helps things run smoothly.
But Marcus, youre just a new recruit, what about your knowledge of all the channels and their contents? Opsec?
A fair point that has been brought up to me before. How this is going to work, is that each squads channels can be locked, get with me and ill explain how to lock your channels so that even I as Slack Admin will need an invite to get into individual squad channels. this ensures privacy and me not seeing things that are outside of my need to know. Eventually, once Anderson gets a feel for how Slack is run, I will transfer wnership of the Slack server to him, and we'll go from there.
With those things said, lets start getting people on slack! The more the merrier!
Respectfully,
CWO Marcus
Section 1, Alpha Platoon