If you’re tired of Zoom, Skype and other Teams, try Discord, a free online chat platform that allows you to create virtual rooms to communicate by text, voice or even video.
The confinement was an opportunity for many to use new communication techniques, in particular videoconferencing. And alongside already popular solutions such as the essential Skype and WhatsApp, several services have emerged, such as the now famous Zoom, which has achieved worldwide notoriety in the space of a few weeks. But other more confidential solutions have also gained in popularity. This is particularly the case of Discord, a platform originally intended for players, and which has assets that can appeal to a much wider audience.
What is Discord?
Presenting itself initially as a VoIP solution – that is to say voice over the Internet –, Discord makes it possible to discuss in writing – with text messages – or orally via servers, private or public. Able to host several thematic virtual lounges, these servers were originally designed to bring together teams of players and allow them to coordinate during online games. But nothing prevents extending their use to other types of group – friends, families, colleagues, classes of students, etc. –, the number of people registered on the same server being virtually unlimited.
In addition to text and voice chats, you can live share images or screens – but not files, as Zoom or Google Meet offer, for example – and send private messages to other participants, which is very practical. . Above all, Discord allows for video meetings of up to 50 participants. It is even possible to chat with a group of friends – 10 maximum – without having to join a server. Finally, users with a little knowledge of the tool can also animate several discussion spaces on their own server. All for free!
What’s more, Discord can be accessed in a variety of ways, with a web browser, on an app for Windows, macOS or Linux or a mobile app for iOS and Android. All you have to do is create an account to enjoy it. Be careful however, the interface is not always well translated into French and there are still expressions and commands in English here and there. Nothing unacceptable, even for non-English speakers!
How do I create a Discord account with a web browser?
- With your web browser, go to the site Discord.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the blue button, on the right, I’m registering.
The account creation page is displayed. Enter an email, username and password in the fields provided. Keep in mind that the username is visible to your contacts. This can be your player name, but also your first or last name if you join Discord in a more professional setting.
- Check the box I have read and accept the conditions…
- Click on Continue to complete this step.
- You will receive a message asking you to validate your email address. Open your email inbox and click Verify email address in the received message.
- This action opens a verification page on the Discord site. Then check the box I am not a robot.
When you first connect to the site, Discord gives you several options to create your first server (Create your first server). You can click Create My Own to create your own server, but if you are not yet familiar with the platform, it is better to start with a simpler approach. Click on the cross at the top right to close the window.
How to know your Discord Tag?
On Discord, each correspondent is identified by a code – the Discord Tag – allowing contact, a bit like a telephone number. It is important to know your tag as well as that of your friends. The Discord Tag corresponds to your username followed by a series of four digits. The set takes the form MyNickname#1234.
- To check your Discord Tag, click on the toothed wheel at the bottom of the right column, next to your nickname. On hover, the window User settings appears.
In category My accountyou can see the reminder of your username, as well as the email address linked to your Discord account.
How do I add a friend on Discord?
You can very easily contact a friend on Discord using their tag.
On the Discord home page, once logged into your account, click on the tab Friends.
In the section Add a friend, enter your contact’s Discord Tag in the space provided, then click Send a friend request.
Once your friend has accepted the add request, their profile will appear in the right column. You can now interact with him, for example by sending him a private message.
To do this, click on its name. A dialog window opens.
How to open a server on Discord?
To easily bring together friends, colleagues or any other group of people, it is in your best interest to create your own server on Discord.
- On the Discord home page, click the icon + at the top of the left column. On hover, the window Add a server appears.
When creating the server, Discord automatically offers you to invite new friends, and reminds you of the invitation link if you wish to share it with contacts. Click on the Copy button to copy it to the clipboard before pasting it into an email, for example. Then close the window by clicking on the cross to the right of the dialog window.
You are now on your own server. By default, you are in the main room, which is a text chat room. You can send a first message to all members in the area Send a message to #general.
