Book Club Chat
Connect with fellow readers and discuss Beowulf using Mattermost and Signal
The Beowulf Book Club uses two platforms for communication: Mattermost for organized, channel-based discussions, and Signal for more casual, annoucement-type, or time sensitive conversations. Both platforms help us share insights, talk about the book, and stay connected throughout our reading journey.
Which Platform Should I Use?
Mattermost
Use Mattermost for organized discussions, sharing resources, and longer-form conversations. It's ideal for:
- In-depth discussions about specific passages or themes
- Sharing articles, videos, and other resources
- Organized conversations in topic-specific channels
- Searching past discussions and finding information
- File sharing and collaborative note-taking
Signal
Use Signal for quick check-ins, casual conversations, and real-time coordination. It's ideal for:
- Quick questions or check-ins
- Casual conversations and getting to know other members
- Real-time coordination for meetings or events
- Quick photo or link sharing
- More immediate, conversational exchanges
Note: Both platforms are active and welcome participation. Feel free to use whichever feels most natural for your message, or use both! Generally, we use Mattermost for detailed, reflections, discussion-type conversations and Signal for more casual, social messages.
Getting Started with Mattermost
To join the Mattermost chat, you'll need to create an account on our Mattermost server.
1. Access the Chat Server
Visit beowulf.chat in your web browser. You can also download Mattermost apps for your phone (iOS or Android) or desktop (Windows, macOS, or Linux) from the Mattermost downloads page.
2. Create Your Account
Click "Create Account" on the login page. You'll need to provide:
- Your email address (we'll use this to send you updates about the book club)
- Your name or preferred username
- A secure password
Once you've created your account, you'll receive an invitation to join the book club team.
You'll need the invitation link in the Signal group to join the mattermost server.
3. Join the Team
After creating your account, you may need to click "Join Team" to join the Beowulf team.
4. Explore Channels
The book club is organized into different channels for different types of discussions. See the "Channels" section below for details on what each channel is for.
Channels
Channels help organize our discussions. Here are the main channels you'll find:
~general
The main channel for general book club discussions, announcements, and introductions. This is where we share updates about meeting times, discuss the overall reading schedule, and welcome new members.
~derivatives
Discuss adaptations, retellings, and works inspired by Beowulf. This includes modern adaptations, films, novels, poems, or other creative works that draw on or respond to the Beowulf story.
~literary
Share insights, questions, and observations about Beowulf from a literary analysis perspective. Discuss themes, characters, narrative structure, and how different literary techniques are used in the poem. This channel connects to our analysis techniques guide.
~linguistics
Discuss the Old English language, etymology, word choices, and linguistic features of Beowulf. This is the place for conversations about kennings, alliteration, meter, and how the original language shapes meaning.
~translations
Discuss different translations of Beowulf, compare versions, and share resources for finding copies. This is a great place to ask questions about which translation to choose or to share what you're discovering in your chosen version.
~random
For conversations that aren't directly related to Beowulf but help us get to know each other as a community. Share book recommendations, discuss other literature, or just chat about whatever interests you.
Want to create a new channel? It's totally fine to add more channels! If you'd like to create a channel for a specific topic or discussion, feel free to do so. Just post a message about it in ~general so other members know about the new channel and can join if they're interested.
Tips for Using Mattermost
Notifications
Customize your notification settings to stay updated without being overwhelmed. You can set notifications for mentions, direct messages, or keywords. Go to Settings → Notifications to configure your preferences.
Formatting Messages
Mattermost supports markdown formatting. Use **bold** for bold text,
*italic* for italics, and `code` for inline code. You can also
use > for blockquotes when sharing passages from Beowulf.
Sharing Files
You can share images, PDFs, or other files by dragging and dropping them into a channel or using the attachment button. This is great for sharing photos of your translation, notes, or other resources.
Threads
Use threads to keep related discussions organized. Click "Reply" on any message to start a thread. This helps keep channels clean while allowing detailed conversations to develop.
Search
Use the search bar at the top to find previous discussions, quotes, or resources. You can search by keyword, author, or date range. This is especially useful when you want to reference something discussed earlier.
Direct Messages
Feel free to send direct messages to other members for one-on-one conversations or to ask questions privately. You can also create group direct messages for smaller discussions.
Community Guidelines
To ensure a welcoming and productive environment for everyone, please follow these guidelines:
- Be respectful: We're all here to learn and share perspectives. Disagreements are welcome, but keep discussions civil and constructive.
- Use appropriate channels: Post in the channel that best fits your topic. This helps others find relevant discussions and keeps conversations organized.
- Share spoilers thoughtfully: Some members may be reading at different paces. If you're discussing a specific part of the poem, consider mentioning which section you're talking about (e.g., "In the Grendel section...").
- Cite your sources: When sharing insights or information, especially from scholarly sources, include citations or links when possible.
- Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions, no matter how basic they might seem. We're all learning together, and questions often lead to great discussions.
- Share generously: If you find an interesting article, video, or resource, share it in the #resources channel. Your discoveries enrich everyone's experience.
Getting Started with Signal
The Signal chat group is a more casual space for quick conversations and real-time coordination.
1. Download Signal
Download Signal from the Signal website for your phone (iOS or Android) or desktop (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
2. Create Your Account
Set up Signal using your phone number. Signal uses your phone number as your identifier, which helps keep the group secure and makes it easy to connect with other members.
3. Join the Group
Contact the book club organizer to receive an invitation link to join the Beowulf Book Club Signal group. Once you join, you'll be able to participate in group conversations.
Need Help?
If you're having trouble with either platform or have questions about using the chat:
- For Mattermost: Check the Mattermost user guide for detailed instructions
- For Signal: Check the Signal support center for help and FAQs
- Post your question in the Mattermost ~general channel or Signal group—other members are happy to help
- Contact the book club organizer directly if you need technical assistance or have account issues