Slack is a proprietary instant messaging platform, with basic functions similar to other platforms: persistent chat rooms (channels) organized by topic, private groups, and direct messaging etc. It’s core ambition is to replace email as the primary method of communication and sharing within organisations, i.e. to consolidate all communication that might otherwise be scattered across emails, text messages, or in person meetings.
True to its name – SLACK is an acronym for “Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge” – it then allows for all content, including files, conversations, and people, to be fully searchable, categorisable etc.
Possibly the key distinguishing feature of Slack is its potential for integration with other softwares. In December 2015, Slack launched their software application directory, featuring more than 2,000 apps and softwares (incl. Google Drive, Trello, Dropbox, Box, Heroku, IBM Bluemix, Crashlytics, GitHub, Runscope, Zendesk, and Zapier) that users may install and integrate in their project work, thus exponentially expanding its functionalities.
Slack runs on mobile apps for iOS and Android in addition to their Web browser client, and desktop clients for macOS, Windows, and Linux (beta).
Link:
Slack
Provider:
Slack Technologies (USA)
Costs:
free – though the free plan allows only the 10,000 most recent messages to be viewed and searched. Full searchability requires a monthly subscription.
Tutorial (by third party):
here
