[Discord: New User Overview]
Hello BC.org,
After a few months of testing, we have found a new program to replace Raidcall for voice chat needs. This program is called
Discord. It is free to use and can be accessed via our site through the embedded widget, which you may find
on the left navigation panel, below our Shoutbox.
Below is a quick overview of some of Discord's features. We hope that it will be useful for learning how to use the program.
General(Downloading the client to access Discord is NOT mandatory!) Part of the reason we were attracted to Discord is because it can be used through a common browser tab. You don’t have to download any new programs if you don’t want to, and you can still access Discord as you would be able to through a program.
However, users have noted that voice connection and clarity can suffer a bit if they only use the browser version.
When you sign into Discord and enter the BC.org Discord channel for the first time, you are added as a “member” of the BC.org Channel. Unlike Raidcall, when you sign up and sign into the BC.org channel, Raidcall will automatically bring you into BC.org’s channel from start-up (with Raidcall, users had to manually select which group they wished to join.
To sign out of Discord, you can simply close the tab it’s in if you’re using it through the Discord website
(Downloading the client to access Discord is NOT mandatory!) or by clicking the small gearbox near your username on the bottom left-hand corner and clicking the small icon at the bottom of the new dialogue box that looks like an exit symbol (left arrow piercing a box).
To close down Discord altogether if you are using the program and not the browser plugin, you will need to access your task bar tray, right click the Discord icon, and select Quit Discord.
Chat and Voice ChannelsIn the Discord, voice channels (audio) and text channels are separate, and can be joined by clicking on them. Unlike Raidcall, users have the ability to be in one voice channel and a different text channel. For example, I could be speaking audibly with users in “General” while typing in the #coruscant text channel. This can be a little confusing, but we have found that the difference only takes a tiny bit of adjustment.
Text channels have a hashtag (#) symbol in front of them while voice channels do not hashtags. Voice channels display a list of users that are in that channel by their display pictures and names, while text channels do not.
Discord supports Text-to-Speech, which is used by typing “/tss” followed by whatever you wish to say. Typing a TTS message into a text channel will send the message through audio to all users in that text channel. This is helpful for users who prefer not to speak or use a microphone. Discord’s TTS recognition software is among the best that we’ve experienced in terms of quality, so we hope this feature is useful!
Noteworthy BC.org-Specific ItemsThere are multiple voice and text channels available to use in the BC.org server. The only voice and text channels that are access-restricted to general members are Administration and #administration. Site administrators and arbiters have access to those above channels, and general members may be given temporary access according to need.
Voice Options & Push-to-talkTo set a push-to-talk button, click the gearbox near your username in the bottom left-hand corner and go to the “Voice” tab.
App AppearanceDiscord comes with two visual themes: light and dark. To change the theme and the chat message display style, click the gearbox near your username in the bottom left-hand corner and go to the “Appearance” tab. Options are displayed therein.
PrivacyBy default,
Discord shows what game you are currently playing as your status message. Any user can see your status message both in the app itself and through the widget on the site.
To disable this feature, making it impossible to see which game you are playing (if any), click the gearbox near your username in the bottom left-hand corner and go to the “Privacy” tab and uncheck the appropriate box.
QuestionsIf anyone experiences problems or has any questions, you may start a thread in the
Trouble and Feedback forums and our Arbiter team will get to them. As time goes on, we can use your comments to turn this guide into an FAQ.
Thank you, and enjoy!
The BC.org Admin & Arbiter Teams
