Our interactive online prep course prepares you for the Slack Certified Developer exam at your own pace, building key skills to develop Slack apps $150 rise-only en developer-prep-course. Slack is the ultimate collaboration tool, making it easier than ever for teams to stay notified of new tasks, feedback, bookings, and more. Integrate your custom online form with Slack to automatically send form submissions to your channels or teammates. This means Slack is an instant messaging system with lots of add-ins for other workplace tools. The add-ins aren’t necessary to use Slack, though, because the main functionality is all about talking to other people. There are two methods of chat in Slack: channels (group chat), and direct message or DM (person-to-person chat).
For such a tiny bubble, it sure causes a major headache.
As more and more people find themselves stuck working from home for the foreseeable future, an ever-growing number of Slack users are now faced with the same problem: How to appear as 'active' when they're actually... not.
For the unaware, Slack is a messaging tool that many workplaces (and friend groups) use to communicate remotely. Within the service, next to your online handle, rests a little telltale bubble. Depending on whether or not you're currently using the service, Slack will either display a green bubble for active or an empty bubble for away.
As you might imagine, this is a helpful tool for bosses trying to keep tabs on their employees; it's also the enemy of workers who are just trying to live their lives and stop thinking about the coronavirus for even a goddamn second.
Which brings us to the issue at hand: Keeping those bubbles green. Slack says it 'automatically determines your availability based on how consistently you're interacting with the app on your device.'
More specifically, Slack has a host of conditions it uses to determine whether or not that bubble shows you as working. If you're using the mobile Slack app, the bubble is green only when the app is open — it switches off the moment you toggle away. If you use the Slack desktop app or access Slack via a browser, then after 30 minutes of inactivity the jig is up.
Importantly, if you're using the Slack desktop app that's 30 minutes of 'system inactivity.' Whereas, if you're using a browser to access Slack, it's 30 minutes of 'browser inactivity.' Remember that distinction, because it matters.
'Note,' cautions Slack in bold type, 'There is no way to set yourself as permanently active.'
Which, OK, maybe. But that doesn't mean there aren't ways to trick the system into thinking you are active. Take, for example, this ingenious individual who, it appears, hooked their wireless mouse up to a toy train.
弊社はリモート勤務の際にPCのスリープとか操作中とかが管理者にバレる環境なので、常にマウス操作をしてるように見える装置を作りました。 pic.twitter.com/cYqoAHb6SB
— 赤祖父 (赤ソファ) (@akasofa) March 12, 2020
'We created a device that seems to always operate the mouse, because the environment in which the sleep or operation of the PC is remote to the administrator when working remotely,' reads the tweet translated (albeit poorly) by Twitter.
If a work-from-home employee had their desktop Slack app open — say, for example, to the Direct Message channel with Slackbot — then the above contraption should keep their Slack bubble green for up to 30 minutes after the train stops moving. That's because there is general system activity of the mouse moving around (even if not specific browser activity).
But not all of us have toy trains sitting around ready to be repurposed. And that's OK because if you have a smartphone and an optical mouse, then you already have all you need to fool Slack and your (micro) manager.
Slack Online Tools
'I think that if you put an optical mouse on the smartphone video, it will move irregularly,' reads the below tweet (again translated by Twitter). '(Lol) (Unverified)'
思い付きですが
光学式マウスならスマフォ動画の上に乗せておけば不規則な動きをすると思います！(笑)
(未実証) pic.twitter.com/dIS7kLke9j
— 池袋スイーツ侍 (@ike_sweets_smr) March 14, 2020
And guess what reader... in my (admittedly limited) at-home test, the above hack actually worked. As long as your phone doesn't go to sleep (this is important, so keep it plugged in) and the video keeps playing, your optical mouse should move ever so slightly, tricking the desktop app version — not the browser version —of Slack into thinking you're still busy and not asleep in the next room.
For the test, I loaded up a random nature documentary on YouTube, turned my smartphone's brightness up to maximum, plugged the phone in, and placed my optical mouse directly on top of the screen. Then I set a 30-minute timer and walked away. Thirty-two minutes later, my editor confirmed my Slack status bubble was still green. (In a later test with a different video, the trick did not work. In other words, test this out first before you commit to your nap.)
SEE ALSO: 7 Slack privacy settings you should enable now
What makes this Slack hack even better is that it doesn't require installing a mouse-jiggling app, which could be a security risk.
Now, it's worth noting, that there's probably a much simpler way to do all of this. On an iPhone with the Slack app, you can set the phone's 'Auto-Lock' to never and then (with your phone plugged in) open the Slack app. This will likely work as well — remember, as long as 'Slack is open' on your mobile device, Slack says you'll be shown as active — although I didn't test it.
Importantly, your bosses may still suspect you're napping on the job when you don't respond to their repeated and frantic @yourname messages. But that's a small price to pay for the 45-minute nap you'll be too busy taking to care.
UPDATE: July 1, 2020, 2:24 p.m. PDT: After months of (ahem) rigorous testing, I can confirm that setting your smartphone auto-lock to 'never' is a much simpler — and consistently successful — approach. Also, you can use this method on the go and still have your phone with you.
Here's what you do: In the Slack app, in a direct message to yourself, drop in a random GIF. Then, when you want to keep your Slack status active (after setting auto-lock, under 'Display & Brightness' on an iPhone, to 'never'), go into that DM with yourself and click on the GIF.
You now technically have the app open, and, because you're in a DM with yourself, the chances of your thigh accidentally DMing your boss have plummeted. Turn down the brightness on your screen to conserve battery life, slide that phone in your pocket, and be on your way.
While you may use a smartphone and technology such as email and chat rooms, it may be difficult to keep up with everything that’s available. For example, there’s something called Slack, which many workplaces use.
At first glance, it may appear to be a simple chatroom, but in reality, it’s so much more than that. In this article, we’ll tell you all about Slack communities. So read on to find out more!
What Is Slack?
Slack is a workplace collaboration tool. At its core, it’s a chatroom where people can talk with one another instantly. You can set up different groups for various purposes; for instance, you can have one for random “water cooler” talk, while others can be for specific teams.
You also have the option to send direct messages to members. So if there are private matters you need to discuss, you can do it discreetly with this option. Or you can create a private channel that’s invite-only to keep information secure and protected.
In addition to being a chatroom, as we’ve said, it’s a collaboration tool. Not only can you chat instantly with one another, but you can attach files as well. This means you can upload Word documents, graphics, and more through either your computer or your Google Drive account.
About Slackbot
One of the best features of Slack is Slackbot. This is AI that can be programmed to handle mundane tasks so humans don’t have to bother.
For example, if you have a handbook that needs to be referred to, you can program the Slackbot to link it whenever someone types in “handbook.” That way, it’s always one command away.
You can also message Slackbot on your own. Using a new program or app can be confusing, and you don’t want to bother your colleagues with your endless questions.
Slackbot is programmed to send you a few initial introduction messages as soon as you join a Slack workspace. It’ll give you a few options to read from, or you can type in your questions.
Slackbot may also inform you of all the channels available in a workspace. This can be beneficial if you aren’t too sure which ones are relevant to you, as you can view a list from Slackbot.
What Are Slack Communities?
Slack communities are digital congregations which are very similar to Facebook groups. However, as you may know, Facebook groups don’t have the option for instantaneous communication. You also can’t attach files from your computer or Google Drive.
If you’re not a fan of social media but still want to keep up with your industry, joining a Slack community can be a great idea. These communities are excellent for providing you with up-to-date information.
What Are the Benefits of Slack Communities?
Maybe you’re not completely sold on the idea of Slack communities. That’s ok; we’re here to show you what opportunities are available when you join these workspaces.
Instantly Communicate With the Masses
Because of its very nature, Slack communities guarantee high engagement. The instant chat feature facilitates free flow of thoughts, which means if you want to bounce ideas off of people, you’re sure to get a response within a few minutes.
Workspaces may have hundreds of people in them, so you can chat with people all over the world at any given time. You’ll be able to gather thoughts and opinions of people in a matter of minutes, whereas a traditional survey would take days, maybe even weeks to complete.
You can even grab the attention of every member of the channel you’re in by using the “@channel” command. This will send an alert (either push notification by phone or email) to everyone, letting them know you have something important to ask or tell them.
Utilize Visual Collaboration Features
While digital communications are much more convenient (and efficient) than phone calls and handwritten letters, they’re not without their downsides. For example, how many times have you had a frustrating back-and-forth with a colleague because they didn’t understand exactly what you were talking about?
In these times, you probably wish you could share your screen with them; that’d resolve the confusion in an instant. With Slack, that’s a possibility!
One way to share your screen is to create a GIF of your screen, such as you clicking on a particular folder or file. Then, all you have to do is drop it into chat and they’ll see exactly what you’re talking about.
Another way to do this is to record your screen. There are several integrations that allow you to do this easily with a little popout toolbar. Just click “record,” get what you’re trying to do on screen, hit “stop,” then upload the clip onto Slack, all without having to leave the program.
Get Inside Industry Knowledge
In many Slack communities, they may hold AMA sessions (“AMA” stands for “ask me anything”). In these sessions, experts volunteer some of their time to answer any questions the channel members have.
This gives you an up-close and personal look into the lives of industry experts. Whether you’re looking to grow in your career or you’re gathering information on how your competition operates, these AMA sessions can offer you excellent insight.
What’s great about these AMA sessions is you don’t have to actively participate to learn something new. While you can come prepared with questions and hope yours get answered, you can also just load up the channel at the specified time and just sit back and relax as other people pick the brains of industry experts.
Get Opinions Instantly Through Polls
Slack Online Collaboration Tool
With so many people participating in Slack communities, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain some insight into how people feel about certain topics in your industry.
While you can always pose an open-ended question, a much more effective way to get results is to poll people. There are two ways you can do this.
The easier way is to ask your question, then ask people to react with different emojis to represent their responses. You can then count them up at the end of the day, record and display your data the way you prefer.
Or you can utilize the Slack integrations. There are several available for polls, so take a look around to see which one you like.
With these integrations, you can create a poll that is then shared with the channel. The members choose their answers, and the poll will send you the results in a neat table or graph.
Enjoy Integration With Many Other Apps
Slack has over 60 apps you can add to their platform to streamline your workflow. What’s even more awesome about Slack is not only can you choose from prebuilt integrations, but you can build your own as well.
With this feature, this means the possibilities are endless when it comes to integrating your work platforms with Slack. You’ll be able to monitor as many apps as you want from one convenient platform.
For instance, you can use the Twitter integration so Slack notifies you whenever someone Tweets about your company or industry. Once you get a notification, all you have to do is load up Slack and take a look at the message, which is embedded in the notification.
This allows you to have a better grasp on the pulse of your industry and ensures you don’t miss out on key moments.
Join a Slack Community Today
As you can see, Slack communities offer wonderful benefits to all its members. Its main advantage is you get to interact with a large community of professionals in your industry.
Not only can you get advice instantaneously, but you can also find other like-minded individuals to collaborate with. And the best thing is you won’t have to leave Slack to put together a workflow, as Slack is able to integrate with a ton of other apps for maximum efficiency.
Slack Online Auction
With all the benefits Slack communities offer, it’s a smart idea to at least give it a try to see if it’s for you. The program itself is free, as are the majority of Slack communities, so you’ve got nothing to lose!
Slack Online Meetings
If you’d like to join a large online Slack community for marketers, then sign up for Online Geniuses today! We have multiple membership plans to suit individual needs.