How To Slack

New Members Start Here to Get Started With Slack!

What is Slack and why does PPM use it?

Slack is a messaging program used to communicate with members associated within an organization. Pikes Peak Makerspace uses Slack to communicate with its members about up-coming events, to post jobs for bid on our job-board, to showcase the amazing things that get made in our space, and so much more! Slack is the official communication solution for the makerspace so if you’re not apart of it, you’re missing out!

How do I get access to Slack?

After you register for membership and set up payment (through Join It, our membership management software), you will automatically receive an invite, via email, to the makerspace’s Slack workspace. So check your email! It may be possible that the invite landed in your spam box!

Should I introduce myself on Slack?

That’s a great question and YES, you absolutely should! In fact, we have an automated workflow in place that will make introducing yourself super easy and fun! :)

What resources are on Slack that can help me as a new member?

There is a #new-members channel that is dedicated for new members. It has great resources on where to start, how we operate, and a great place to ask those "dumb" questions.

Channel Rules, Names and Descriptions

Channel Rules and Good-To-Knows

• As a new member, you automatically get joined onto the #general, #random, #showcase, #red-tags-issues, #new-members, #job-board, and #events channels. However, there are other public channels that you can join. We don’t assume that you are interested in every machine or equipment we offer, so you can pick which channels you’d like to be apart of!
• Please be mindful of which channel you ask a question in or a post in general. We try to keep the discussions based on the descriptions given for each channel. Below is a list of all our public channels. Your post or question should fall into one of the channels below, however, when in doubt, #general channel is the channel for general conversation.
• If you need to speak with a director or captain directly, you can send them a direct message on Slack. Some are comfortable with being texted directly or personal email. However, please ask first! As a rule of thumb, Slack is always a safe first option to get in contact with someone at the space. (Even more reason to get on Slack!)

Channel Names and Descriptions

Public Channels

1. #events: to plan and organize events and communicate with volunteers regarding event details.
2. #job-board: channel to post, discuss, or accept job opportunities either within PPM or from the community
3. #random: non-work banter and water cooler conversation (remove? no one uses it as intended….)
4. #red-tags-issues: channel to announce and discuss repair for equipment and tools that have been red tagged or announce other issues
5. #showcase: channel to showcase your work and receive well deserved praise from your peers!
6. #general: community-wide announcements and makerspace based matters
7. #new-members: channel to answer questions from new ppm members

Workshop Areas

1. #3d-printing: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for 3D printing machines
2. #cnc-machine: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the cnc machine
3. #electronics: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for electronics
4. #fusion-360: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for Fusion 360
5. #large-format-printer: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the large format printer
6. #laser-cutter: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the BOSS & Zing laser cutters
7. #metal-shop: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the metal shop
8. #vinyl-cutter: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the vinyl cutter (remove; add to another channel? no discussions at all…)
9. #wood-shop: channel to discuss topics of or ask support for the wood shop

Basic Slack Functions

How do you...

...mention someone or mention everyone in a channel?

If you want to direct a message to someone within a post, you can use the @ symbol and the member's Slack username. For example, if you wanted to ask the administrator to add you to a private channel, you could post this in the #general channel, "Hi! Can I be added to the Tesla access project channel? @PPM Administrator". That message will directly notify the member! (You could also send the member a direct message!)

If you wanted to message everyone in a specific channel, you can use the @channel. This will send a hard notification to everyone who is joined into that channel. A good use of this would be if you find a tool or equipment that is broken. You can send this message to the #red-tags-issues channel: "Hey @channel! The band saw is red-tagged due to the blade being off alignment. Out wood shop captain is working on getting it fixed. Please do not use until repaired!".

...join a channel

As a member you can see and join all public channels for this workspace. Feel free to search through the public channels listed on the left side navigation bar and choose to join which channels you want! Need more guidance? Here is a link on how to join a channel.

...mute or leave a channel

Getting too many notifications? Here is a link on how to mute channel notifications. Not interested in being in a channel anymore? Here is a link on how to leave a channel.