Slack Guide
This page details how Slack will be used in Compilers in Spring 2021.
About Slack
Slack is a free-to-use chat service for establishing closed collaboration groups. In this way, it is similar to other chat services such as Discord. When you join a Slack organization (such as the CS75 Slack organization), you gain access to several chat channels as well as the ability to send direct messages to other organization members.
Joining Slack
By the beginning of the semester, you will receive an invitation in your Swarthmore e-mail inbox to join the Spring 2021 CS75 Slack organization. If you haven’t received this e-mail, please contact your instructor. You can either use Slack within your web browser or download a desktop client.
Using Slack
A Slack channel is a place to post messages on a particular topic. You can view posts in the channel by clicking ont he channel name in the sidebar. You can post in the channel by typing your message at the bottom of the window or react to other messages by hovering over the message clicking the emoji icon. The CS75 Slack organization gives you access to the following channels:
#announcements: This channel will be used to post course announcements such as assignment clarifications or schedule changes. It will be used sparingly. Make sure to watch it!#chat: This channel is used for off-topic discussion and social conversations. You’re welcome to chat about whatever you like.#course-discussion: This channel will be used for discussion about the course. This can include questions about material (that conform to the Academic Integrity Policy), administrative questions, or other course business (like asking if one of your classmates would like to switch lab sections with you).#help: This channel is used during office hours and lab sessions to ask for help. The instructor will post here to announce when help sessions start and end. Students should only post “raised hand” emojis here to ask for help.#lecture: This channel is used exclusively during lecture. I will monitor it in case you prefer to ask your question via text rather than by raising your hand.
Asking for Help on Slack
If you need help with your lab assignment or have questions about the course material, please make sure to reach out to us! You can get help during lab or office hours using the #help channel. Your instructor will post in that channel when help is available.
To ask for help in the #help channel, simply post a “raised hand” emoji. One way to do this is simply to type :raised_hand: into the chat. Partway through typing, you will be presented with a dialog box to select an emoji. You can either select the emoji by clicking or type its full name and press enter.
After you have posted the emoji, a member of the course staff will send you a direct message to offer help. From there, you can set up a video call or just chat through Slack (depending on what works best for you). The course staff will add the :eyes emoji while helping you and a :heavy_check_mark: when you’re finished talking. If you are waiting for help, you can keep an eye out for this in order to figure out your place in line.
Anonymous Messaging
Our Slack organization includes an app called “Anonymous Bot” which allows you to post notifications anonymously in the #chat, #course-discussion, and #lecture channels. In the message window, you can type /anonymous (instead of your normal message) to send an anonymous message to the channel. You will be prompted with a dialog box in which you can enter your anonymous message; the bot will post it on your behalf to the channel.
Accessibility in Slack
The course staff is committed to making all course material accessible to you. To access Slack’s accessibility settings, start by clicking on the workspace name “CS75-S21” at the top of the navigation pane on a laptop or desktop. Choose the “Preferences” option from the menu and then choose “Accessibility” from the navigation bar on the left.
Slack’s accessibility options include
- Content magnification (“zoom”): This allows you to enlarge content shown in Slack.
- Animation: Please uncheck this box if you are sensitive to animated images.
- Keyboard: This section permits you to use non-mouse navigation in some places in Slack.
If you need any assistance accessing Slack or other course materials, please make sure to contact your course instructors or to reach out to the Office of Student Disability Services as described on the Policies page.
Your Conduct in Slack
The CS75 Slack workspace is accessed by a wide variety of people all working in different environments and timezones. We ask that you be respectful toward the other members of the course. We expect you to follow these general rules:
- Do not use Slack to harass other users.
- Do not spam any channels or direct messages with garbage. Try to make posts in academic channels concise.
- Follow channel guidelines. Idle conversations belong in
#chat, for instance, and not in#course-discussion.