Slack
Slack is a virtual office space where users can chat to each other one-to-one or in various "Channels" about a given topic. Slack is still to gain a critical mass within the collaboration but it is hoped that it will be a useful tool in the future.
Mu2e has a 'pro' license to slack, which is supported through a rotation of university groups; previously BU and Yale, currently NU. This allows essentially unlimited archives of discussions in the mu2e channels, and allows us to search within channels. Details can be found here
How do I get a Slack account?
Ask someone for an invite and then follow the instructions in the e-mail that you receive. Please sign up using your home institution email address. If you are not a Fermilab employee, do not use your @fnal.gov email address.
Download the appropriate slack application for your OS (ie from Apple App Store)
How do I sign up for Slack channels?
Browse the list of channels by clicking "Channels" in the left sidebar and join those you are interested in.
Which channels should I join?
The current, most-used channels are:
- #general
- all members of the Mu2e "team" join this channel
- #is_it_me_or_a_bug
- the Slack equivalent of the "HELP! Is it me or a bug?" hypernews forum
- #computing-and-software
- a channel for announcments relating to computing and software
- #youngmu2e
- a channel for all Young Mu2e members to chat about anything
Can't find an appropriate channel? Then request a new one by posting to #computing-and-software
What are some nice things about Slack?
Slack archives can be browsed (entries are listed in chronological order) or searched. Search can be global or restricted to specific channels or even threads.
Private discussions with one or a small group of individuals can be started using the Direct messages. These are extremely useful for short-term discussions of active work, more spontaneous and interactive than email, and much easier to navigate the history or search.
Unlike email, Slack allows editing responses. That way typos or errors can be quickly fixed, not saved for eternity as wrong information. The archive of the edit is kept.
Use 'reply in thread' to start a thread. The Slack interface compresses threads so they don't clutter the default view, but they can be expanded as needed.
How do I make pressing "enter" a new line instead of sending a message?
You can turn this off in Preferences > Advanced > When writing a message, press Enter to...
How can I set up e-mail notifications?
You can get summaries of messages you've missed in Preferences > Notifications > When I'm not active on desktop...
How can I organize my channels?
You can make "sections" by either:
- clicking "Channels > Create > Create section" in side bar and drag and drop channels into the new section, or
- clicking "Channels > Managed > Edit all sections"
Tips
Notifications When Using Threads
When you reply on a thread there is a check box with the title "Also send to #channel_name", where channel_name is that name of the channel to which the original message was sent. If you do not check this box, most people will NOT receive a notification about your reply. Notifications are only sent to the person who started the thread, anyone who has replied on the thread and anyone mentioned on the thread. All others will not be notified of the reply but they will see it if they navigate to the thread
If you do check the box, your message will be visible in the thread and also visible on the original channel. People who receive notifications for that channel will be notified.
Please keep this in mind when replying on threads. If you want everyone to be notified, remember to check the box. If you want to make sure that a few people see it, mention their handles in your reply but do not check the box. If the conversation really has no broader interest, just leave the box unchecked.