Discord is a free proprietary chat application made for PC and mobile devices. On a Discord server, users can talk with text and voice in real time. Users are also able to share media like pictures.
In 2016, an unofficial Wikimedia Discord server was started by some (regular) English Wikipedians. This Discord server is now run by several English Wikipedia administrators. Users who join the Discord have to follow the IRC rules. Users also have to verify their email address on their Wikipedia account. The Simple English Wikipedia has its own channel on this server.
Simple English Wikipedians can join the server by clicking the button below.
This page may be out of date, please see en:Wikipedia:Discord for the most current version.
How is Wikimedia Community Discord related to Wikipedia?
The Wikimedia Community Discord is not owned or controlled by the Wikimedia Foundation, but it does have several WMF staff members in it. It is run by volunteers on their own. The server was setup so users who prefer using Discord instead of IRC could still talk and share information. Users should know that anything they type on the Discord server can be read by anyone on the server. However, Discord does not share information like IP addresses.
Usage
Discord is free to download on Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. It can also be used in most web browsers without having to download. The server is joined by clicking the button at the top of this page.
Text chat
Discord has several text channels users can talk to each other using text. These text channels have markup to change the text and users can also embed pictures and emojis.
An important difference between Discord and IRC is all messages are saved. If a user joins the Discord server, they can see all messages that were ever sent in that channel. This also means users are able to read what they missed when they were not logged in.
Discord does not show important information like your IP address or hostname like the IRC does. So there is no need for things like host masking (hiding your IP).
Voice chat
Discord users can also talk to each other in voice channels. These voice channels let people talk to each other like they would on a phone. Users can choose to use "push-to-talk" mode (a key on the keyboard must be pushed before their voice can be heard) or voice detection (where Discord hears you speak and sends your voice automatically). Anyone in the voice channel will be able to hear what you say. Users can talk about anything in the voice channels. If a user is not talking for 15 minutes, they will be moved out of the voice channel by the Discord server.
The voice channels are only active if 1 or more users are in them. The voice channels are optional and do not need to be used if a user would rather use the text channels.
Channels
The channels listed below already exist on the Discord servers. New channels for other Wikimedia sites can be created when Wikipedians request it. If this is done, those Wikipedians should tell the other users on their Wikipedia about the Discord server so all can be aware.
#info – A read-only channel with notices such as basic rules and a link back to this document
#wikiauthlog – A read-only channel that reports when a user has authenticated with WikiAuthBot
#botcommands – A channel for using the .auth command (to authenticate your Wikipedia account), or for checking your edit count with .whois
Discussion channels
#administration – A private channel for Discord moderators, administrators, and stewards for discussion of issues related to moderation of the server
#logger – A private channel for moderators, administrators, and stewards where a bot posts server alerts such as joins, leaves, message edits, and message deletes. This exists purely for the benefit of server moderation and short comings in Discord's audit log.
#general – A general channel for any topic related to Wikimedia.
#commons – For topics specific to Commons. Notice: In this channel, WikiBot replies with links to Commons, not English Wikipedia.
#meta – Topics including Metawiki, global Wikimedia, Stewards or crosswiki issues. Notice: In this channel, WikiBot replies with links to Meta, not English Wikipedia.
#wikidata – Discussions about Wikidata. Notice: In this channel, WikiBot replies with links to Wikidata, not English Wikipedia.
New channels can be created on request by WikiProject members, once it has been discussed by that project and the members show interest.
Server bots
The server currently has three bots that help in various ways.
Logger – Responsible for the #logger channel mentioned above. Records various server alerts for server moderation purposes.
WikiAuthBot2 – Responsible for assisting users with identifying their Wikipedia name and marking them as a Confirmed User. In any channel, post the message .auth and the bot will private message you with instructions. You must be able to receive messages for this to work.
WikiBot – Responsible for adding helpful links when users post Wikilink and Template syntax. For example, if you post [[WP:Discord]], WikiBot will reply with an actual link to the page.
Moderators
The Discord moderators are below. They are all Stewards or English Wikipedia administrators. If you need help from a moderator, you can type @Moderators and then your message like this:
@Moderators There is a vandal in this channel!
Moderators can only help with issues on the Discord server and not on-wiki problems.
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