Discord

We've created a new server where members can discuss and share information.

How do you access it

You should have had an email with the link on it but please speak to one of the admins if not
You'll need to sign up for an account with them but you can then access it straight through the web, though I'd recommend the desktop and phone apps.

Why discord?

• You can choose the topics (called channels) you're interested in so you don't ever have to see a message about coding if you've no interest, that's markedly different from an email that goes to everyone. Even further you can create threads, or forums of interest for more granularity without bothering others.
• It's a one stop shop that can do large meetings, smaller chats, private messages and integrates with other systems
• I've seen chat between members increase in other settings that have used it.
• It has been show to increased exposure between spaces in UK.

Is there a learning curve?

Most people pick it up pretty quickly but, like all new software it has it's quirks.
We can help you though, though some bits we'll be learning too.

Will I be bombarded with notifications?

Bear with me on this as I may make mistakes but I've largely turned notifications off apart from when someone intentionaly mentions you.
We can turn them on in time once we feel people are familiar with it and people can then choose their own settings but I don't want people annoyed with it pinging their phones constantly.
This will just make it more something that you'll have to choose to drop into to see what's going on.

You should get notications when we're announcing something to the whole group though.

Privacy and personal data

You'll need to do your own research but feel free to discuss here. I've made a safeguarding channel in the server.
Discord has it's problems on this front. It's not open source.
I wouldn't say it's worse that a lot of other platforms but I'm, personally, more interested in building something that can scale for an increasing membership

What happens to telegram and the email list?

Nothing, they'll still exist.
Personally I hope discord will take over naturally but we'll just see how it goes.
Join, or don't, it's your choice.

Cards on table though, we've some problems with the mailing list software currently we're trying to deal with and something will need to change there as it's end of life but that's happening regardless of this.

Many thanks for taking the time to look at this and hopefully see you on there

Andy and admin team