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How is Slack different from IRC or using netcat on a LAN?

eclipxe 11y ago
More unicorn dust and SV hype-machine
detaro 11y ago
It comes ready to run with tons of stuff you would have to add to an IRC setup. Each time the topic comes up there are tons of people insisting that they could do the same with an IRC software + X, and they are probably right, but that doesn't come nicely packaged and ready-to-use for non-techies. + it is a hosted service, which some people like.
codezero 11y ago
managed permissions, built in history (doesn't rely on you being connected to get a log of a conversation that happened when you were gone), great full text search, integrated rich content (posts, videos, images) which are also searchable in the same way, adding context to conversations, built-in system for notifying people, channels, and groups, with centralized options to tailor those notifications to yourself, a fully featured mobile application that synchronizes with the desktop app seamlessly. Slack basically removes the requirement for you to have an IRC server, client, and a suite of IRC scripts and bots. It unifies the experience across the team, which, yes, does remove some levels of customization you would get from your personal IRC client, but in practice, it's been a highly productive work-chat tool. I've basically replaced Dropbox as my source for important files, instead, putting them into a Slack channel. That way what ever made that file relevant is surrounded by the chat that necessitates the file. It's not for everyone, and I don't think anyone would claim it should be, but if you work on a team, especially a distributed one, Slack brings a lot to the table "batteries included."
- rocky1138 11y ago
  Yes, but what happens when Slack goes away?
  - monsieurbanana 11y ago
    The same thing that happens every time you change a piece of software or technology? You find a new one to replace it. Import your slack backups on it (someone who asks the kind of question you ask surely has backups, right) and get rolling.
  - codezero 11y ago
    We'll move to another tool. Do you still have your IRC logs from 15 years ago? That's a loaded question. I know some people do, but most people don't and most people don't need them. We put things all over the place that include "what ifs" – what about files in dropbox, or emails in gmail? Everything includes some level of trust and some level of acceptance of ephemerality or potential loss. Personally, everything in Slack is work related, not personal, so it can go away, just like I could get fired, or quit, and never have access to it again. If there's something I want to keep, I'll keep it somewhere I believe is safe and permanent, that's up to me, not Slack, or the tools I use. I also have a reasonable expectation that Slack would provide some sort of export/dump of data, similar to what twitpic did, or any other business does when they sunset. This doesn't always happen, and it's not fair to assume it would, but I trust Slack because they've done a very good job at being responsive to their customers' needs thus far.

More unicorn dust and SV hype-machine

It comes ready to run with tons of stuff you would have to add to an IRC setup. Each time the topic comes up there are tons of people insisting that they could do the same with an IRC software + X, and they are probably right, but that doesn't come nicely packaged and ready-to-use for non-techies. + it is a hosted service, which some people like.

codezero 11y ago

managed permissions, built in history (doesn't rely on you being connected to get a log of a conversation that happened when you were gone), great full text search, integrated rich content (posts, videos, images) which are also searchable in the same way, adding context to conversations, built-in system for notifying people, channels, and groups, with centralized options to tailor those notifications to yourself, a fully featured mobile application that synchronizes with the desktop app seamlessly. Slack basically removes the requirement for you to have an IRC server, client, and a suite of IRC scripts and bots. It unifies the experience across the team, which, yes, does remove some levels of customization you would get from your personal IRC client, but in practice, it's been a highly productive work-chat tool. I've basically replaced Dropbox as my source for important files, instead, putting them into a Slack channel. That way what ever made that file relevant is surrounded by the chat that necessitates the file. It's not for everyone, and I don't think anyone would claim it should be, but if you work on a team, especially a distributed one, Slack brings a lot to the table "batteries included."

rocky1138 11y ago
Yes, but what happens when Slack goes away?
- monsieurbanana 11y ago
  The same thing that happens every time you change a piece of software or technology? You find a new one to replace it. Import your slack backups on it (someone who asks the kind of question you ask surely has backups, right) and get rolling.
- codezero 11y ago
  We'll move to another tool. Do you still have your IRC logs from 15 years ago? That's a loaded question. I know some people do, but most people don't and most people don't need them. We put things all over the place that include "what ifs" – what about files in dropbox, or emails in gmail? Everything includes some level of trust and some level of acceptance of ephemerality or potential loss. Personally, everything in Slack is work related, not personal, so it can go away, just like I could get fired, or quit, and never have access to it again. If there's something I want to keep, I'll keep it somewhere I believe is safe and permanent, that's up to me, not Slack, or the tools I use. I also have a reasonable expectation that Slack would provide some sort of export/dump of data, similar to what twitpic did, or any other business does when they sunset. This doesn't always happen, and it's not fair to assume it would, but I trust Slack because they've done a very good job at being responsive to their customers' needs thus far.