Zoom
Zoom is a video conference platform which the majority of the scheduled activities during the Perseverance Ale will take place on. Go to www.zoom.us/download to download and update Zoom.
You must register in order to get the zoom link to join any Zoom activities at the Ale. All links will be sent out in a welcome email within 24 hours of the start of the event.
Participation on Zoom is subject to the MWMA Code of Conduct, https://midwestmorrisale.org/code-of-conduct/, just like other parts of the Ale. Be excellent to each other, everyone.
Discord
What is Discord?
Discord is an invite-only chat app for threaded conversations, like an old school bulletin board. It also allows for voice and video communication. It runs from a website, a downloaded app, and on mobile devices. The website for Discord is https://discord.com/.
Why is MWMA using it?
To try to provide a place for casual conversation, like you’d get in the dining room, on a bus, or late night at an in-person Ale. Zoom works great for workshops, presentations, and larger groups, but doesn’t really allow for small groups to hang out and catch up.
Discord has audio and video chat space, in the area we’re calling The Pub. There are multiple channels available, so if you want to catch up with some friends, find an empty space. The Discord space is available all weekend, whether you want to stay up later than the Zoom hosts, or skip the formal offerings to just chat.
There are folders (called ‘categories’) and discussion threads (‘channels’) set up to keep the discussion going from a workshop, decide what dances to do for pickup dancing, share stories and photos of your pets, and whatever you want to chat about.
Ugh, another program. Do I have to use it?
Nope! We are using Discord to try to bring back some of the social feel of an Ale, but you absolutely don’t have to use it. All of the Ale programming is being held on Zoom. The schedule will be available on Zoom. You don’t have to use Discord if you don’t want. (Except for Weekend Volunteers. We’re using Discord to coordinate Weekend Volunteers this year.)
Do I have to register for the Ale to use Discord?
Yes! The invitation to the Discord server will be emailed to people who register for the Midwest Morris Ale at https://midwestmorrisale.org/2021-ale/registration/. And use of Discord is subject to the MWMA Code of Conduct, https://midwestmorrisale.org/code-of-conduct/, just like other parts of the Ale. Be excellent to each other, everyone.
Joining the 2021 Midwest Morris Ale Discord server
You will be emailed a link with the invitation to the Discord server as part of the welcome email, which will be sent within 24 hours of the start of the event. For all of our security, please do not share the link with anyone. Everyone who registers will receive it directly from MWMA.
Instructions for setting up a Discord account
The MWMA Discord Basics PDF file has step-by-step instructions on setting up a Discord account and some of the basic features.