I figure this would fit better in the brainstorming section. However if you feel like the thread should be moved to another section, feel free to move it! Anyways for whatever reason I've been thinking if Microsoft Teams could be a good Discord alternative. You've got video call functionality as well as voice chat. Plus you've got file sharing which also means you'll never lose the links to files you've uploaded unlike in Discord where if you upload a file it will eventually be deleted. I know Teams is more geared towards the workplace rather than the casual user, but it makes me wonder if it's a viable Discord alternative. I've been thinking about maybe using Teams for my Sonic related projects.
I feel like most people see it as something used in the workplace, like you said, so I think it would depend on what exactly you're wanting to use it for. For actual community engagement, Discord would probably be the better of the options. But for project management or staff on a site or anything along those lines, it could probably work out if you were able to get everyone on board with using it.
My husband's work used to use Teams. I think if you're used to it for work, you can see the benefits. But aren't most forums leaning toward Discord channels? How would you convince them to make that switch?
I have to use Teams at work. I'm sure it could work better than Discord, but I don't believe it's free? It looks like it's $4.00/mo per member of your team.
First of all, if I used Team's daily at work, I would probably want to avoid it like the plague outside of work.
Second, having used Teams for work and also having used Discord...Teams "Channels" are crummy to work with in my opinion. I would rather look to some of the Open Source alternatives that exist for Discord before choosing Teams.
It's more of a chat client that focuses more on gaming and it's less professional than Teams and Zoom. I use Teams at work, which gave me the idea to perhaps try it for a community. I've never managed the channels in Teams though, I only have access to downloading certain files, access to files via one drive, and I can reply in the channels sections that aren't blocked by IT. At the end of the day though, it seems that Discord alternatives like Revolt may be better. (Or you know a Xenforo install complete with the resource manager plugin would be better lol.)
Discord is better for simple communication but lacks a lot of features for business needs also, it does not look professional for a business to use Discord.
Teams are way better for working together on projects and documents also, for planning events and meetings (or just general planning). Besides that Teams offers a lot of apps to keep track of about everything, note important things, assign tasks and much more.
Good point about Teams' file management. However, for community vibes and less formal interactions, Discord is usually more intuitive and engaging. Teams might be a bit overkill unless your projects are highly structured.
