Slack, a cloud-based team communication platform, was initially developed as an internal communication tool within Stewart Butterfield’s company, Tiny Speck, during their work on the development of the online game Glitch. The product was named “Slack” in 2012, which stands for “Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge.” Slack was launched to the public in August 2013.
Key Facts
- Founding: Slack was initially developed as an internal communication tool within Stewart Butterfield’s company, Tiny Speck, during their work on the development of the online game Glitch.
- Name: In 2012, the product was named “Slack,” which stands for “Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge”.
- Launch: Slack was launched to the public in August 2013.
- Compatibility: Initially, Slack was compatible with the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol and XMPP messaging protocols. However, the company chose to close down these corresponding gateways in May 2018.
- Acquisitions: In July 2018, Slack acquired HipChat and Stride from Atlassian. In July 2020, Slack acquired Rimeto, a startup specializing in employee directories and profiles. On December 1, 2020, Salesforce announced its acquisition of Slack for $27.7 billion.
- Public Offering: Slack went public through a direct public offering in June 2019, reaching a market value of US$19.5 billion.
- Features: Slack offers functionalities such as text messaging, file and media sharing, voice and video calls, and group chat for team collaboration.
- Integrations: Slack integrates with many third-party services and supports community-built integrations.
- Platforms: Slack provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as web browser and desktop clients for MacOS, Windows, and Linux.
Initial Compatibility and Later Changes
Initially, Slack was compatible with the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol and XMPP messaging protocols. However, the company chose to close down these corresponding gateways in May 2018.
Acquisitions and Public Offering
In July 2018, Slack acquired HipChat and Stride from Atlassian. In July 2020, Slack acquired Rimeto, a startup specializing in employee directories and profiles. On December 1, 2020, Salesforce announced its acquisition of Slack for $27.7 billion. Slack went public through a direct public offering in June 2019, reaching a market value of US$19.5 billion.
Features and Integrations
Slack offers functionalities such as text messaging, file and media sharing, voice and video calls, and group chat for team collaboration. Slack integrates with many third-party services and supports community-built integrations.
Platforms
Slack provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as web browser and desktop clients for MacOS, Windows, and Linux.
Conclusion
Slack was founded as an internal communication tool within Tiny Speck and was later launched to the public in August 2013. It has since grown to become a widely used team communication platform, offering a range of features and integrations. Slack is available on various platforms, including mobile apps and desktop clients.
FAQs
What was the initial purpose of Slack?
Slack was initially developed as an internal communication tool within Stewart Butterfield’s company, Tiny Speck, during their work on the development of the online game Glitch.
When was Slack launched to the public?
Slack was launched to the public in August 2013.
What does the name “Slack” stand for?
The name “Slack” stands for “Searchable Log of All Conversation and Knowledge.”
What was Slack’s initial compatibility?
Initially, Slack was compatible with the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) protocol and XMPP messaging protocols. However, the company chose to close down these corresponding gateways in May 2018.
What notable acquisitions has Slack made?
In July 2018, Slack acquired HipChat and Stride from Atlassian. In July 2020, Slack acquired Rimeto, a startup specializing in employee directories and profiles.
When did Slack go public?
Slack went public through a direct public offering in June 2019, reaching a market value of US$19.5 billion.
What are some key features of Slack?
Slack offers functionalities such as text messaging, file and media sharing, voice and video calls, and group chat for team collaboration.
What platforms is Slack available on?
Slack provides mobile apps for iOS and Android, as well as web browser and desktop clients for MacOS, Windows, and Linux.