watonomous.github.io
[ Knowledge Base : Discord User Guide ]
This guide provides details on how to setup and use WATonomous Discord.
- Getting onto the WATO Discord Server
- Configuring Discord for use on WATonomous
- WATonomous Discord FAQs
- Becoming a Discord Wizard
Getting onto the WATO Discord Server
If you do not have a Discord account, first create one by going to https://discordapp.com/register. We suggest that you make your username your preferred full name, but any username works.
Next, log into Discord (via their web client, or downloadable desktop app), and then click on the following invite link to WATO's Discord Server: https://discord.gg/jVx2dKX
If following the above invite link does not connect you to our server, login to Discord and click the + sign (at the top left of your Discord screen, below the direct messages square) and select "Join a Server" and paste in the invite link above. You should then see the WATO logo appear above the + symbol.
Configuring Discord for Use on WATonomous
This section explains how to configure Discord for how you will be using it on WATonomous. Simply follow the steps!
Downloading the apps
- Download the desktop Discord app: https://discordapp.com/download
- Download the mobile Discord app
Configuring notifications
Since Discord is how everyone in WATonomous communicates, it is very important that you get the notifications you care about, and not the hundreds of notifications that you do not care about! You do this by configuring your notification settings on your desktop and mobile apps. First:
- Learn how to configure notification settings on the desktop app: https://support.discordapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/215253258-Notifications-Settings-101
- Learn how to configure notification settings on the mobile app: https://support.discordapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/218892547--Mobile-Notifications-Settings-101
Now that you understand how to configure your notification settings, here are the required and recommended configurations for WATonomous:
- You must keep \@mention notifications turned on. It is essential that you get notified when someone is speaking to you directly.
- You must keep the notifications for the your squad's channel,
your group's channel, and your division's channel turned on.
- For example, if I am a Core Member in the Path Planning Group, working on Trajectory Planning, I would keep notifications turned on for #trajectory-planning, #path-planning-general, and #software-general channels.
- Another example, if I am the Manager of the External Sponsorship Group, I would keep notifications on for the #external-sponsorship, #business-general, and #business-group-leads channels.
- It is also recommended that you keep notifications turned on for the channels in the COMMON category, since these are channels that concern everyone on the team. #server-use will notify you if there is a problem with WATonomous' Servers, #team-progress will notify you when we accomplish some cool shit, #memes will notify you about the dankest WATO has to offer, etc...
- In general, use your common sense when muting a channel. If you find yourself caring deeply about what is being talked about in a certain channel (maybe you're an key stakeholder of the #sensor-placement-project), turn on notifications for that channel!
Customizing your profile
Some notes about how to make your profile feel like your own
- Most people choose to upload a picture of themselves as their Discord avatar. This helps other team members know who they are talking to!
- After your initial roles have been assigned, you are free to change your Discord Username or your WATO Discord Nickname to whatever you want! However, we suggest that you keep them accurate to what your name is, so that people know who they are talking to, and can tag you if they need to get your attention.
WATonomous Discord FAQs
What to use Discord for
- You are free to read and participate in whatever conversations on
whatever channels you like! If you have questions about something,
or want to contribute to any conversation happening on Discord,
there is no need to be
shy
{.emoticon
.emoticon-smile} - Technical discussions with other team members
- Giving easy access to documents, using the pinning feature (see below)
- Organizing meetings (with help from when2meet.com)
- Random discussions, but only in #random
What not to use Discord for
- Do not use private messages for anything that is appropriate to be talked about in WATO public channels. We strive for transparency and to help others who have the same questions.
- Technical documentation. If you are talking about anything on Discord that you think is useful technical information, make a Phab Document for it (see below for more details on Phab)
Tips and Tricks
Check it frequently! I predict that you will learn the most this term if you read all of the Discord messages sent in every channel
You can set your status (bottom left profile picture) to Do Not Disturb to mute all notifications instead of closing Discord, but do remember to turn it off
You can pin messages (like I will pin this onboarding message) for future ease of access. See the kebab menu (3 dots) that pop up when you hover over a message
You can use @<YourGroup> or @<Somebody> in messages to tag everyone on your group or to tag a specific person. This will guarantee they are notified about the message
You can use #<some-channel> in messages to link to another channel. Use this to link another channel if people are using the wrong one
Post in the correct channel. The rule to follow is to post in the most general channel that makes sense. Example violations: Posting onboarding questions in your squad's channel (go more general, in #onboarding), talking about your squad's implementation details in #software-general (too general, go to #your-squad).
Becoming a Discord Wizard
Knowing how to navigate and communicate with ease using Discord is one of the most important things to learn. Luckily, there are many Discord support pages that have been written to help you along your way. My personal tip is to use the quick switch function to find your way around quickly: https://support.discordapp.com/hc/en-us/articles/115000070311-Quick-Switcher-T-A-Y-N-E-
You can find many other useful topics to help you on your journey to becoming a Discord Wizard here: Discord Starter Guide