Using Mattermost (MM)

How to I access Mattermost?

e.g. "Mattermost can be accessed at https://organise.earth. Alternatively, you can find a link to it on the Comms Hub or on a smartphone (see [here] for more information on setting up Mattermost on your mob

Useful Videos

Getting on the Hub / Accepting your invite

First Steps on Mattermost

Download Mattermost App to your computer

Grand tour of Mattermost

BigBlueButton

Overview of Mattermost Screen

1. Teams area
   Shows icons for teams that you in. Hold the pointer over the icon to see the team name. The team you are viewing has a light blue bar to the left of the icon.

2. User area
   This shows your picture, the name of the current Team (in this case the XR UK team), your username, and your online status (the green tick).

3. Main menu
   The Bars icon brings up the main menu LINK THIS!!

4. Public Channels
   This area lists your public channels in the current team. The current channel is highlighted in bright white, as are any other channels with unread posts.
   Click more... at the bottom of the list to see all public channels with the team and join them.

5. Private Channels
   This area lists any Private Channels that you are a member of. It sometimes makes sense to create a new private channel - e.g. for a temporary sub-group working on a project.

6. Direct Messages
   Direct messages (DMs) are private one-to-one (or small group) messages between members, much like email. Previous DM recipients will be listed here so you can continue a conversation. You can also click the [+] here to start a new conversation. Note that the DM area will list all of your recent conversations, not just those in the current team.

7. Channel Info
   The white area on the right all concerns the current channel only.

8. Channel Members
   Click here to see a list of all members of the current channel. Click on a user to start a chat (DM).

9. Pinned Posts
   Posts can be 'Pinned' in a channel so that they can be quickly found again by clicking the Pin icon. This will bring up all the channel Pinned posts in a pane on the right of the message area.
   Pinned posts are typically used for announcements that all rebels should read - it is worth checking this occasionally.

10. Search
    Enter text in the search box to search all posts within the current channel. Results will appear in a pane at the right of the message area. If search box is not visible click the magnifying glass.

11. Mentions
    Like Pinned and Flagged posts this will show a list of all posts in the channel which mention you by username.

12. Flagged Posts
    You can flag a post for your personal reference (e.g. to find later) by clicking the Flag next to it. Click the Flag icon at the top right to bring up all your Flagged posts in the channel.

13. Messages Area
    Each post starts with the pic and username of the poster and the time
    created. As you move the pointer over a post icons pop up on the right to allow you react.

    • Add an emoticon - click the smiley face
    • Flag for later - click the flag
    • Reply to the post - click the left arrow/number
    • Click on three dots for more options

    The posts are shown in chronological order, except where there are replies which have been posted out of sequence (the Reply arrow will have a number next to it). Click the arrow to bring them up together in context in the right hand pane.

14. Create New message

    At the bottom of the messages area is a box to create a new post. If you are replying to a post click the Reply icon next to it. To alert a specific person @username will tell them.

15. Add Attachment
    The paperclip icon attaches a file - but it's better to post a link to the file or picture rather than simply attaching it.

16. Add Smiley
    Emoticon (Emoji)

Finally in the bottom right of the screen is a link to the built-in help.

Further Information

App for Android or iPhone

To use the Mattermost app on your phone or tablet:
Go to either the Google Playstore (Android) or the Appstore (iPhone/iPad)
Search for Mattermost (use the Classic version if you get given a choice)
Select Install/Get/Add/Download
Where it asks for the Server Name: organise.earth
Where it asks for the Server URL: https://organise.earth
Then select Connect. On first using the App, you’ll need to add your email address or username and password, and then Sign In.

Writing Messages

How

You do Ican write amessages message?

by

Clicktyping in the white box at the bottom of the screenscreen. To send them hit Enter. The message will be sent to start typing a message. It will appear in yourthe current Team/Channel,Channel or Direct Message.Message you are in.

How do I

To reply to amessages message?

Clickclick on the replyReply arrow.icon: . It will have a number for how many messages are in that 'chain', and allow you to seerespond thatand conversationhave indiscussions about a paneparticular onmessage, and not clutter up the RHS.channel for other people.

How do I

To add a reaction/emoticon to a message?

Hover over the message and thenclick on the RHSAdd clickReaction theicon: smiley face to choose an emoticon response..

How do I find messages?

At the top right of the main window is a Search icon to search the current channel (and all your DMs). There are various options ro restrict the search. For example, to find message from user @username enter FROM:username (without the @ sign).

How do I add a link to a document or image?

Links are done with [text to display] in square brackets, immediately followed by (https://www.fulllinktext.com/blah) in round brackets.

e.g. [Link to XRUK Website](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/) displays as: Link to XRUK Website.

How do I format my message, add bold/italic etc.?

There are simple ways to make your message more readable:

• **bold** displays as bold
• _italic_ displays as italic
• ~~strikethrough~~ displays as strikethrough
• ```typewriter style``` displays as typewriter stye
• >quote displays as

quote

How do I alert someone to a message?

If you want to draw the attention of another member of the team to a post you are making type @ followed immediately by their username, eg '@username', and they will be notified of the mention. You can also use @all or @channel for all members in the channel but please use responsibly as for larger groups it is rarely appropriate.

How do I getsend rida Direct Message (DM)?

Click the + sign to the right of annoyingthe heading 'System'DIRECT messages?MESSAGES'

Under Main Menu (three bars atin the top)sidebar. selectSelect 'Advanced'the thenuser(s) setyou 'Enable Join/Leave Messages'wish to Off.message, write your message and hit enter to send

Where do I find Direct Messages?

The names of users you've had conversations with will appear below the 'DIRECT MESSAGES' heading to make it easier to contact them again. Next to each name, an icon shows whether they are offline / online and whether they are currently active. Clicking on a username will display your direct message history with that user. Users you do not need to contact regularly can be removed from this list by pressing the cross to the right of their name.

Teams

Any teams you are already a member of have an icon displayed on the far left of the screen. Moving the pointer over a team icon will reveal its full name.

How do I see who is in my Team?

Click on the Main Menu (three bars at the top) and select 'View Members'. From here you can click on a name to send a Direct Message.

How to join or leave a Team?

Join Public: Below your team icons there is a plus sign; clicking on this will bring up a list of all other XR public teams you are able to join, globally. Click on one of the list of teams to add yourself.

Join Private/Group: Some Groups in XR will have their own team - speak to your Group Admin or Tech Champion to be added, e.g. to your Local Group.

Leave: To leave a team, switch to that team by clicking on the team icon. Click on the three lines to the right of your name to open up the Main Menu and then select the option "Leave Team".

Channels

Within each team there are Channels. These channels enable discussions on specific subjects to be conducted separately, rather than having all conversations mixed up together in the same place.

What are circles/numbers? Unread messages

• A bright white channel name shows there are new posts you haven't read.
• A white circle with a number it indicates that there are @yourname mentions or replies to your posts.

What is Channel heading or Channel info?

Underneath the channel Name at the top of the page is useful information about what the channel is for. Some Teams link to your Forum, Minutes or other useful documents here. To see all the info click on the Channel heading:

...then select 'View Info'.
If you want to add useful information here you can select 'Edit Channel Header'.

How to link to your group forum in channel header?

Often people just can't remember where to find their forum. A link in your channel header can help - here is how to create one:

• Go to the relevant forum (via Categories & Forums in the menu)
• Copy the url from your browser's address bar (should look something like https://base.extinctionrebellion.org.uk/c/help-info-tech/migration-team-reception/92 - that's the DDAT Reception one, yours will be different)
• Go to the channel
• Edit the channel header
• Put in the link like this:
  [Our Forum](https://base.extinctionrebellion.org.uk/c/help-info-tech/migration-team-reception/92) - the text in the square brackets is displayed, and the link is in the round brackets.

What are default Channels?

Every Team has two default channels:
Town Square: this is the communal area for announcements and some general XR discussions (except 'Off Topic' below).
Off Topic: a place where team members can discuss things that aren't directly team/task related e.g. social activities.

Can I stop seeing default Channels?

You must not delete or rename these default channels - they are common across the whole of Global XR Mattermost. You can leave the Off Topic channel, but you cannot leave the Town Square for a team you have joined - you can, however mute it (see below) so that you don't get notifications from it.

What is a 'Reception' Channel?

All XR Groups that have their own private team, or are using private channels within the UK Team, will have a public Reception channel in the UK Team so that all rebels can find and contact them. You can find them by clicking the + sign next to 'PUBLIC CHANNELS'.

How do I contact another Group?

All XR Groups will have a public Reception channel in the UK Team so that all rebels can find and contact them. You can find them by clicking the + sign next to 'PUBLIC CHANNELS'. e.g. Tech Reception is to contact the Digital (Tech) Team.

How do I create a Channel?

Create Public: Public channels should always be created by your Group Admin or Tech Champion or your team members will not automatically be added to them.
The + sign next to 'PUBLIC CHANNELS' will allow you to create a new public channel within the team, but please don't do this without agreement from the Group Admin/Tech Champion - they have better ways of creating new public channels.

Create Private: If you need to discuss something with a group of people it may make sense to have a Private Channel rather than a larger DM group. Click on the + sign next to 'PRIVATE CHANNELS' to set one up. If it is for the whole team please see Create Public above.

How do I 'mute' or ignore a Channel?

If you click the Channel heading you can use 'Notification Preferences' to set how you will be notified about that channel only, including the ability to turn off @all, and @channel mentions, or 'Mute channel' to turn off all notifications for this channel without leaving it.

How do I join or leave a Channel?

Join Public: Below your 'PUBLIC CHANNELS' there is a 'More...' link; clicking on this will bring up a list of all public channels in your team. Click on one of the list to add yourself.

Join Private: If you wish to join a Private Channel you will need to ask someone in that Channel to add you, or post a message in that group's Reception Channel.

Leave: To leave a channel, select it then click on the channel name at the top of the screen (not on LHS) and from the dropdown menu select the option "Leave Channel".

Direct Messages (DMs)

How do I send a Direct Message (DM)?

Click the + sign to the right of the heading 'DIRECT MESSAGES' in the sidebar. Select the user(s) you wish to message, write your message and hit enter to send

Where do I find Direct Messages?

The names of users you've had conversations with will appear below the 'DIRECT MESSAGES' heading to make it easier to contact them again. Next to each name, an icon shows whether they are offline / online and whether they are currently active. Clicking on a username will display your direct message history with that user. Users you do not need to contact regularly can be removed from this list by pressing the cross to the right of their name.

Your Profile / Main Menu

How do I open the Main Menu?

Click the three bars to right of your username at the top of the Channel column.

How do I logout?

Scroll down to the bottom of menu to find the 'Logout" option.

How do I change settings?

The first option on the Main Menu is 'Account Settings'; this let's you make changes to your profile:

General: edit your name / username / nickname / role / email address and add a profile picture

Security: edit your password

Notifications: manage when and how you receive notifications of activity in Mattermost. You can opt to receive notifications on your desktop, via email or mobile push notifications. You can also specify what triggers are used to generate notifications.

Display: make changes to how things appear on screen including whether full names, usernames or nicknames are used to identify other users.

Sidebar: adjust how the sidebar is organised (the LHS blue section of the page).

Advanced: miscellaneous options including deactivation of your account.

How do I set my status/visibility to others?

Click on the status in the corner of your picture/avatar at the top of the Channel colum to change your status (e.g. to "Do not disturb") whilst remaining logged in. Click elsewhere to bring up the Main menu

How do I get rid of annoying 'System' messages?

Under the Advanced section, set Enable Join/Leave Messages to Off.

What are Flags and Pins?

You can Flag a post for your personal reference (e.g. to find later) by clicking the Flag next to it. Click the Flag icon at the top right to bring up all your Flagged posts in the channel.

Pinned posts are in a channel so that they can be quickly found again by clicking the Pin icon. Pinned posts are typically used for announcements that all rebels should read.

Flags are for you personally, pins are for everyone in the channel - only channel coordinators should pin posts.

Is there more Mattermost documentation?

Comprehensive manual for those interested in the software.