Slack Collaboration Tool

Slack is an online cloud-based chat and team collaboration tool. It has Web, Mobile App & Desktop interfaces. 

Slack is based around the concepts of “Workspaces” (team spaces) and “Channels” (generally used within Workspaces to organize different topics of discussion). Slack facilitates both group and private/direct messaging, with ability to share documents, embed video, and more (see below), right within the Slack interface.

Main Content

Getting Started:

You can sign in and use most features through any web browser: https://slack.com/get-started#/

The main CTL workgroup is https://mitctlscale.slack.com/ but you can join any team that is open to your @mit.edu e-mail address

 

Using Slack:

Once logged in, you’ll see your workspace(s) and channels on the left side of the Slack screen. By default, each Slack team space starts out with 2 channels: 

#General 

#Random

To join the CTL #random or #general channels, click on the channel name to open its discussion pane on the right, and click the green Join button. 

Use the #channel names at the left side of the screen to switch between channel discussions.

The CTL Comms team will add or remove additional channels, such as #scm_staff and #ctl_help, to fit the Center’s collaboration needs. Please email ctl_comm@mit.edu if you would like a channel created.
 

To send a private/direct message to any other Slack user: 

  • Click the + sign beside Direct Messages in the left sidebar
  • Begin typing a name, or enter an email address in the search bar. Click on the person’s name in the results, and click “Go.” You can add multiple people to a private/direct message by adding them here.

The discussion interface is straightforward and allows for some text formatting, file uploads, link expansion, and “reactions” as well as threaded discussions. Looking through the backlog of discussions/posts in channels you join will give you a good sense of what’s possible!


Notifications:

If you are a member of multiple Slack Collaboration Teams, the number of message notification can sometimes become intrusive. You can reduce and manage those notification under the preferences of your Slack profile these can be set at different levels on a per channel basis as fit’s your needs. 

More info about setting notification levels: https://slack.com/help/articles/201355156-Guide-to-desktop-notifications

 

Slack on your desktop or device:

Once you have signed into a Workspace on the web, you can then download either a Desktop or Mobile App for your device:

Windows:  https://slack.com/downloads/windows

Mac OSX: https://slack.com/downloads/mac

Mobile: Find the Slack app in the Google Play Store or Apple Store

 

Integrations:

For additional convenience Slack also has installable “Apps” that link to other collaboration tools. Unfortunately, certain of these apps do not work correctly yet in the MIT CTL environment (Such as the Microsoft Outlook Calendar and E-mail integration), while others such as Zoom or WebEx do work. More info: https://slack.com/apps

 

Support Resources:

The CTL Comms team is available to help -- email ctl_comm@mit.edu at any time!

You can also find out much more at these links: 

Getting Started: https://slack.com/help/articles/218080037-Getting-started-for-new-members

Using Slack: https://slack.com/help/categories/200111606

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