Discord has only been around since 2015, but this VoIP application is increasingly emerging as a competitor to Skype. Where the makers originally focused on gamers who can chat with each other during the video game, the service is now also interesting for other users thanks to new functions. Video chatting is now possible, for example, while there are also mobile apps for iOS and Android.
1 Create account
You first create a Discord account. Surf to the website for this. Then enter an email address, username and password. Through Further asks Discord to set up its own server. In our case, we do that later in this workshop (step 6), so for now click on To skip. You then log in with your e-mail address and password, after which you confirm with Claim account. Finally, don't forget to confirm your account by clicking the confirmation link in your email box.
2 Discord Tag
Discord immediately suggests installing the desktop program, but we'll start with the web application first. Click on the cross at the top right. You invite friends via a so-called DiscordTag. This tag consists of a profile name, a number sign and four numbers, for example MaikDijkhuizen#5817. Every user will see their own DiscordTag at the bottom left of the profile name. Once you get this code from someone, simply add them. Go to . top left Personal messages (three figures icon) and click Add friend. Type in the field below ADD FRIEND the correct DiscordTag and confirm with Send friend request.
3 Link Facebook
There are even more ways to add acquaintances to your friends list. In particular, the link with Facebook is a handy tool to see which other people you know use the VoIP service. Click at the bottom User Settings (gear icon) and choose Connections. Via the Facebook icon you give Discord permission to retrieve the friends list. You press the Escape key to exit the settings. Click on the top left Personal messages and Add friend. below Friendship proposals see which Facebook members you can add to Discord. Click on Send Friend Request (Puppet icon with plus sign).
4 Messenger
Once you've added friends, use Discord as a full-fledged messenger. Click at the top Online to see which people you can currently communicate with. When you click on the profile name, a chat window opens. You can also choose at the top Start Video Call (camera icon) to start a video call. Often the function does not work initially, because the Discord web application does not have access to the webcam and/or microphone. In that case, click at the bottom User Settings (gear icon) and Speech & video to choose the correct settings. Through Test video check the webcam function. Video calls don't work in Firefox, so preferably use Chrome.
5 Share screen
You can share the screen content during a video or audio call. This is useful, for example, when you want to show a certain setting on the computer or the progress of a game. A condition is that you use the browser Chrome or the desktop program. Start a video or audio call and click Turn On Screen Share (monitor icon with arrow). You confirm in Chrome with Yes / Add extension to install the extension, then click again Turn On Screen Share. You can share the entire screen or select a dialog box. In the latter case, choose the tab App window and click on the desired window. Finally confirm with To share.
6 Add Server
A Discord server is a virtual meeting place where like-minded people meet. This can be, for example, players of a certain game, but also members of a hobby club. Do you want to set up your own server? Click on the plus sign on the left and choose Create a server. Enter a logical server name and verify if region Western Europe is set. Add an image to make this support group recognizable. To do this, click on the blue circle and point to an image on the computer. Finally click on Create.
7 Invite people
Obviously you want other people to be able to join the support group you just created. Click on the top left Invite People. A link will appear that you can share with the targeted members via email or social networks. This invitation is active for one day by default. If you want people to have longer to sign up, put a tick in front of it Never let this link expire. Click on the gear in the bottom right to open the link settings. below Max Number Of Users determine the maximum number of members if necessary. Finally you click Generate a New Link.
8 Text and Voice Channels
Every server has at least one text and speech channel. In the right pane, you can see which group members are online. You use the text field at the bottom to exchange messages. Via the plus sign you can add files, such as videos and photos, if desired. You can also use emojis. Use the designation @profile name to send a notification of the conversation to a friend, so that that person can also participate. Would you rather call? Then click on a voice channel to start a (group) conversation. You can now chat directly with other members.
9 New Channel
Text and voice channels are useful for organizing conversations by topic. In addition to the standard text channel (general) and speech channel (general), you can add additional channels as you wish. Incidentally, English and Dutch menu items are mixed here. Click behind Text Channels on the icon Create channel (plus sign icon). Think under Channel name an appropriate name for the discussion group. You can also choose between Text Channel and Voice channel. Through Create channel you will see the appropriate channel appear within the Discord server. Other group members will automatically have access to the new discussion group.
10 Moderate Server
Unfortunately, a public support group on the Internet often leads to heated discussions. To avoid problems, you can choose to set user criteria for the server. Right click on the server image on the left. Through Server Settings / Moderation set the desired verification level. For example, specify that group members must have a verified email address before they can participate. You can also activate a filter for explicit content. Discord then automatically deletes messages that contain unwanted wording. Choose the option Scan messages from all members and hit through Save Changes the changes.
11 Search server
Instead of setting up your own server, you can just as easily join an existing support group. One condition is that you have received an invitation. Click on the plus sign in the left sidebar and choose Join server. After pasting the invitation link into the text field, confirm with Participate. If you join a bunch of servers and their channels over time, it's smart to use Discord's search feature. Press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+K and start typing. Servers, channels and contacts will then automatically appear on the screen.
12 Desktop Program
Discord's web application is already very complete, but it also pays off for avid users to install the desktop version. You then use the software as a layer over games, so that you can also communicate during the game. In addition, the program requires less processing power and you are not dependent on which browser you use for video calls. Surf here to download the desktop program. Versions for Windows, macOS and Linux are available. After installation, if necessary, log in with the email address and password. Often the desktop program already takes over the login data from the browser. The user environment is almost identical to that of the web application.
Discord Nitro
For $4.99 per month, there is also a paid version under the name Discord Nitro. This subscription is primarily intended to support Discord's development team, as key features are available to everyone for free. Nitro subscribers can, however, set a movable GIF image as an avatar and share their screen at a higher resolution. It is also possible to share larger files with friends.
13 Mobile App
There is also a mobile app for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android, so you can communicate on the go. Thanks to push notifications you stay informed of every important conversation. Open the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to install the Discord app. Through login enter the email address and password. Compared to the web application and the desktop program, the interface of the mobile app takes some getting used to. You can immediately see which friends are online. Tap the icon with the three horizontal bars to open a server.
