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en:services:email_collaboration:rocketchat [2020/03/17 13:31] – [FAQ] bbrauns | en:services:email_collaboration:rocketchat [2023/09/04 11:59] (current) – [Inactivity and account deactivation] bbrauns | ||
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+ | ====== Rocket.Chat ====== | ||
+ | Rocket.Chat is a web-based, persistent messaging service focusing on group communication. It is a simple and intuitive platform for all users with a GWDG account for their communication. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Rocket.Chat supports the exchange of files, images and videos as well as integration with other services like GitLab via bots and APIs. The service is available through a web browser without the need to install software but there are clients available for Windows macOS and Linux as well as apps for mobile devices. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The official documentation is available at https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== How to use Rocket.Chat? | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Requirements ==== | ||
+ | * A current web browser | ||
+ | * Users who prefer to use clients will find the apps at [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Login ==== | ||
+ | * Every user with a valid GWDG account can use the service. A valid e-mail address and password must be used for logging in. | ||
+ | * Users from the " | ||
+ | * Users without an account can register an Academic Cloud account at [[https:// | ||
+ | * [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The service is available at [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Inactivity and account deactivation === | ||
+ | |||
+ | Inactive accounts get deactivated after 18 months. Deactivation relieves our licensing and is determined based on last login timestamp. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Accounts can be reactivated through the selfservice site at https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Introduction ==== | ||
+ | The [[https:// | ||
+ | ==== What are the first steps? ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | To search for public channels or to exchange direct messages with other users first click on the " | ||
+ | |||
+ | With their first login all users are added to the #general channel automatically. GWDG news and operating notifications will be posted there. The channel can be left later. | ||
+ | |||
+ | A new channel can be created by clicking on the small " | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Clients === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The service is fully functional via the website. If a client is desired there are downloads available of the most recent version directly from the [[https:// | ||
+ | * Windows: rocketchat-setup-x.x.x.exe | ||
+ | * MacOS: rocketchat-x.x.x.dmg | ||
+ | * Linux: relevant package for rpm, deb etc. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Simple polls ==== | ||
+ | Simple polls can be created with the chat command ''/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== File uploads ==== | ||
+ | Images, videos and files can be uploaded via a menu, available through the clip symbol next to the input box, or through drag and drop into the chat window. Images, GIFs and videos are embedded into the flow of text. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Uploaded files are automatically scanned for viruses by sophos. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== Tips on organizing communication for larger teams, events or organizations ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Due to the open and self-administrative nature of Rocket.Chat users themselves can plan and organize communication for groups of people in organizations or for events and projects. Here are some [[en: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== How is my privacy protected? ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | All users signing in at https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Channels can be set to public or private. Private channels are only accessible for invited users and are not visible to others. | ||
+ | Owners of a channel can remove members of a channel or delete the channel with its contents. Communication with the service is encrypted and the service is hosted in our data center. | ||
+ | |||
+ | === End-to-end encryption (E2E) === | ||
+ | |||
+ | The service has [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | The following is important to understand: | ||
+ | * Users have to *remember* and save this local password. Nobody can retrieve this password! | ||
+ | * Content of encrypted channels can **only** be read with this password. Without this password channel contents are **unreadable** and **unrecoverable**, | ||
+ | * Encrypted content is also inaccessible or unintelligible for the operators of the service, even with full access to the service, servers and its databases. This is a high degree of privacy but also shows the dependence on said **local password**. Without it contents are inaccessible. | ||
+ | * Users are prompted to choose and store a local password. This will be saved with this browser on this device **only** and has to be re-entered on every browser on every device in order to access encrypted messages. For this reason said password is **inaccessible** and **unrecoverable** for the service operators. Without this password access to such content is lost forever. | ||
+ | * Users are encouraged to **only** use this functionality if they fully understand the implications and function of this mechanism. GWDG is **incapable** of retrieving lost passwords or content of this kind, by design. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== FAQ ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: **Using the client app I get an error like: "you visited the login page directly..." | ||
+ | A: Please clear the app cache by right clicking onto the server symbol on the left hand side and choose "Clear cache" and "Clear storage data". | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: **Why can't I log in?** | ||
+ | |||
+ | **If you use the rocket.chat client, please make sure that you have added a new server via the "plus symbol" | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: Please provide us with the following information: | ||
+ | * Do you use the rocket.chat client or browser? Please define the version in each case. | ||
+ | * When was the last successful login? | ||
+ | * What error message do you get? Please attach screenshots. | ||
+ | * What email address / username is used to log in | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: ** I got a new account, can I merge it with my old Rocket.Chat account? ** | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: No. A new account constitutes a new identity. Please consult [[en: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: ** Is there an integration of a video conferencing software? ** | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: Rocket.Chat offers an integration with jitsi Meet. However, the data flows to an external provider, which is why the GWDG relies on its own video conference systems. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The integration of BBB is activated for chat.gwdg.de. This allows users to create a video conference using the telephone icon in the top right corner. Only the roles “owner” and “moderator” are allowed to create a VC. | ||
+ | |||
+ | We would like to point out that the integration is considered as beta and we will deactivate it in case of major problems. The separate use of [[https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: ** How can I connect my repository from gitlab.gwdg.de to rocket.chat, | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: A new " | ||
+ | |||
+ | < | ||
+ | http:// | ||
+ | </ | ||
+ | |||
+ | " | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Then add the " | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: **I don't get notifications in the desktop client.** | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: Verify the notification settings in the client as described here: https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: **My Windows client always suggests to update after a restart.** | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: In some client version the update mechanism does not work correctly. Alternatively a newer client version can be downloaded and installed directly from the provider website: https:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | Q: **Can I import my Slack channels or user?** | ||
+ | |||
+ | A: Although Rocket.Chat offers a simple import function our experience has shown that this is only intended for fresh, new Rocket.Chat installations. Therefore we cannot offer imports of third-party data into our shared service. |