MDSN Welcome: Getting Started GuideWelcome to MDSN. This guide helps new members and users get up and running quickly, explains key features, and points you to the most useful resources so you can contribute confidently and effectively.
What is MDSN?
MDSN is a community and platform designed to connect members around shared goals, resources, and projects. It combines communication tools, documentation, and collaborative spaces so individuals and teams can coordinate work, share knowledge, and onboard newcomers efficiently.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for:
- New members joining MDSN for the first time.
- Team leads preparing onboarding materials.
- Contributors who want a quick refresher on how to participate.
- Anyone evaluating whether MDSN fits their collaboration needs.
Before you begin: account setup
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Create your account
- Use the official MDSN sign-up page to register with a professional email address.
- Choose a strong password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available.
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Verify your email
- Confirm the verification link sent to your inbox. If you don’t receive it within a few minutes, check spam/junk folders and request a new link.
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Complete your profile
- Add a clear profile photo, your full name, role/title, and a short bio.
- Add links to relevant external profiles (LinkedIn, personal site) so others can learn about your background.
Core components and navigation
MDSN typically consists of several core areas:
- Dashboard: Your starting point showing notifications, recent activity, and shortcuts to important areas.
- Spaces/Workspaces: Project- or team-specific areas where conversations, files, and tasks are organized.
- Channels/Threads: Topic-based discussion streams for focused communication.
- Documentation/Knowledge Base: Central repository for guides, policies, and technical docs.
- Files & Assets: Storage for shared documents, images, and other resources.
- Calendar & Events: Schedule of meetings, deadlines, and community events.
- Tasks/Boards: Task management tools (kanban boards, to-do lists) to track work.
Tip: Spend 10–15 minutes clicking through each area to familiarize yourself with layout and terminology used in your instance.
First-day checklist
- Introduce yourself in the designated “Introductions” channel.
- Read the community code of conduct and any onboarding docs.
- Join the core channels relevant to your role or interests.
- Set your notification preferences so you get important updates without noise.
- Sync your calendar and connect any integrations (e.g., Google Calendar, Git repos).
Communication best practices
- Use clear, descriptive subject lines in threads and messages.
- Keep messages concise; use bullets and headings for readability.
- Use thread replies to keep conversations organized.
- Tag relevant teammates with @mentions for action or visibility.
- Use direct messages for quick, private questions rather than channel posts.
Collaboration and contribution workflow
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Finding work
- Check the project boards or “Help wanted” channels for tasks labeled “good first task” or “onboarding.”
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Claiming tasks
- Comment on the task to claim it, add estimated time, and link progress to your status update.
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Working & submitting
- Follow the contribution guidelines in the documentation. Submit work via the platform’s pull request or draft mechanism.
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Review & feedback
- Request reviews from assigned reviewers. Address comments and update the task status when ready.
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Closing tasks
- Mark tasks complete, add a short note about what changed, and link any deliverables.
Documentation: where to start
- Start with the “Getting Started” and “Contributor Guidelines” documents.
- Use the search function to find how-tos and API reference pages.
- Bookmark the most used docs for quick access.
- If you find outdated or missing information, submit an update or open an “edit request” so documentation stays current.
Security & privacy essentials
- Respect the community’s data handling policies.
- Use secure passwords and 2FA.
- Report suspicious activity to admins immediately.
- Share sensitive information only in designated secure channels or encrypted attachments.
Common tools and integrations
MDSN commonly integrates with:
- Version control (Git hosting)
- CI/CD pipelines
- Calendar services
- File storage (cloud drives)
- Chatbots and automation tools for reminders and workflows
Ask an admin which integrations are enabled for your workspace and how to connect them.
Troubleshooting & support
- Check the FAQ and status pages first for known issues.
- Use the support or help channel to report problems; include screenshots and steps to reproduce.
- For account or access issues, contact workspace admins or the onboarding team.
Tips for team leads and onboarding coordinators
- Create a short structured orientation (30–60 minutes) for new members covering essentials.
- Assign a buddy or mentor for the first two weeks.
- Maintain a living checklist for new-hire setup tasks and access provisioning.
- Encourage new members to complete small, meaningful tasks early to build confidence.
Measuring success and feedback
- Track onboarding completion rates (profiles completed, docs read, intro posted).
- Use short surveys at day 3 and day 30 to gather feedback on the onboarding experience.
- Iterate on the guide and onboarding materials based on common friction points.
Useful templates (examples)
- Welcome message template for channel introductions.
- New member checklist (access, docs, initial tasks).
- Task claim template: purpose, estimated time, dependencies, deliverables.
Final notes
Getting comfortable with MDSN usually takes a few days of active use and a few weeks to become fully fluent. Focus on small contributions, ask for help early, and use the documentation and community—people generally want to help new members succeed.
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