Slack is a multi-user, multi-channel chat service. We use Slack for internal communications that need to happen quicker than email, or for stuff that doesn't require as formal of a structure as email.

As a non-profit, we get to use the professional tier of Slack for free. Plus, Discord is primarily geared toward gaming communities, and Slack is geared toward more traditional (read: physical) types of communities and workplaces. This just works better for us.

Please don't.

All members should get an invite to Slack during the on-boarding process. If you didn't, contact the Operations Manager or a board member.

Here's the official Slack quick-start guide.

Beyond that, our community uses Slack in the following ways:

• the #general channel contains all members, and is a place for discussion and questions related to the space at large.
• each tool area has its own channel (#woodworking, #sewing_and_fiber_arts, #3d_printing, etc.) which is listed on its tool area page. Those are intended for questions and discussion related to those tool areas.
• there are also channels related to specific committees or initiatives, such as #volunteers or #promotion. If you are interested in helping with those types of initiatives, feel free to join those channels!
• #off_topic is exactly what it sounds like. If you find a funny link, or a cool video, or a project from another makerspace, feel free to post it there.
• You can also direct message individual members, either by clicking on their name in a channel and selecting “Message”, or by mousing over “Direct messages” in the left-hand sidebar, clicking on the plus sign, and typing their name in the search field.

First, pop into that tool area's channel. Next, check the pinned messages to see if there's an answer. Finally, ask your question! You may be directed to a specific person or a wiki page, but there's a good chance that if you have that question, others do too!

Message @board in #general.