Slack guidelines

Slack can be overwhelming and confusing. Let's try and make it whelming (neither over nor under).

General rules

Threads

• Threads are your friend! If your message is responding to, or continuing/following up on a conversation about something that's already on Slack then it goes into that thread.

DMs vs Channels

• If you're having a general discussion about work, it should probably be in a DM. If it's not about a specific project that has a channel then put it in a DM. Work happens in channels.

• Keep channels public unless they are on confidential projects.

• Don't join channels you don't have to have to be in. You can still DM folks in a group, you can still be @ed in to a channel you are not in.

• You can forward important emails to a channel as well.

Security

• Slack IS NOT a secure platform, it's not for password sharing (use Passbolt).

• If you are working on a story where your threat model is one involving the state or other highly resourced gang/corporation/entity - best to keep that in Signal.

Pinning posts vs Bookmarks

• Make use of pinned posts for say latest minutes for the next meeting, or the doc about the topic.

• Links are great for long term project trackers and key links e.g. to the leave log.

Naming conventions for Cable Slack

Each channel should start with the parent circle e.g. media-production is about production and is a Media team project. The next print channel name would be media-edition100.

Team-wide channels begin 'team', so team-meeting is only for team-meeting-related proposals.

Useful links

Slack Essentials: Organize your work and conversationsSlack