What is Slack?
Slack is a productivity based chat program that consists of channels and direct messages. Channels are essentially topic-specific chat groups.
The primary reasons we use Slack at the Star-Advertiser are to:
- reduce emails among web department staff (because email sucks)
- encourage communication and transparency (which doesn’t suck)
Channels:
You may join as many public channels as you want, but it’s recommended you only join ones that pertain to you. Information overload can be painful.
Conversation in channels should be strictly topic-specific.
Got video-related items to discuss? Post in #video
Communication about stories among reporters and web staff? #newsroom
Non-work items? #shakeitoff
Been sitting too long and chatting with someone who’s across the room? Get up … go talk … yes, in person.
The #staradvertiser channel is where you’ll be added when you sign up. This channel includes everyone on our Slack team (upstairs web, newsroom) … so only post items here that would be relevant to everyone. Think company-wide announcements.
The #newsroom channel is for communication among newsroom folks; web crew, reporters, photogs, etc. This would be a good place to post: “I have a breaking news story in the system called ‘20161125 WEB Best story ever’ and there’s nobody available in my department to post it. HELP!?!”
The #editorialweb channel is for communication among newsroom web staff
The #shakeitoff channel is one we strongly recommend you join — this is for posting non-worked-related items, including but not limited to Taylor Swift memes. This channel exists because being serious all the time is exhausting. (As if this channel needed a reason to exist).
The #online channel is for upstairs/downstairs web communication
The #overnightnotes channel is for communication within the web crew that is specific to overnight content
Also, channel descriptions are available at the top of each channel.
Desktop & phone apps:
Web crew: Please use the Slack desktop app while on shift. No exceptions. Download it from the app store using your Apple ID login.
Download Slack’s iPhone app to your work phone. Set notifications so that, while on shift, you receive alerts about DM’s or channels that pertain to you. It’s a good idea to silence these when you go on vacation. Unplug. It’s healthy.
DMs:
Direct messaging is great, but for site/social/coverage items, please post in the appropriate channel rather than DM’ing someone. Remember, keeping everyone in the loop – communication and transparency – is a core reason we use Slack.
For reference – helpful tips about Slack:
