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6. Glossary — Facebook vs. Discord words

Discord uses different words for the same ideas you already know from Facebook. This is a translator. Bookmark it. There’s no test.

Facebook wordDiscord wordWhat it means
GroupServerA collection of people who can talk to each other. FAYDTA is one server.
Sub-topic in a GroupChannelA specific conversation inside a server (like #downtown or #announcements).
MessengerDM (direct message)A private one-on-one or small-group conversation.
Tag someoneMention someoneType @ followed by their name. They get notified.
Comment threadThreadA reply chain under a single message, so the main channel doesn’t get cluttered.
React with emojiReactSame idea. Tap and hold a message → tap the smiley face.
Friend requestFriend requestSame idea. You can also just DM members of a server you’re both in.
Read receipt(none)Discord does not show whether someone has read your message.
Live videoVoice/video callDiscord has voice channels and direct video calls. FAYDTA uses one for committee meetings.
Page (business profile)(none)Discord servers are not the same as business profiles. There’s no “DTA Hardware” page.

These have no Facebook equivalent and aren’t obvious.

TermWhat it means
ServerA “room” of people. FAYDTA is one server.
ChannelOne conversation inside a server. The # symbol means a text channel. A speaker icon means a voice channel.
Voice channelA room where people can talk by voice (no video required). You join by tapping the channel name.
RoleA label that gives you access to certain channels. DTA Member, DTA Board, DTA Verified are roles.
BotAn automated account that does helpful things like welcoming new joiners. Our bot is named FAYDTA.
Slash commandA command you type starting with /. For example /help shows what the bot can do.
MentionWhen someone types @your-name. You get a notification even if the server is muted.
ThreadA small side-conversation under one message. Keeps the main channel clean. Tap a message → Create Thread.
EmbedA nicely-formatted preview that the bot creates when it posts a meeting or bulletin.
NicknameYour display name inside one server. Different from your Discord username. Members get their business name added after /link.
SymbolWhat it means
#A text channel (read and type messages)
🔊A voice channel (talk by voice)
🔒A locked channel — you don’t have access. Member-only or board-only.
🔔Notifications are on.
🔕Notifications are off (muted).
@Used to mention/tag someone (@John).
green dotThat person is online right now.
gray dotThat person is offline.
yellow moonThat person is online but marked themselves “Idle”.
red minus signThat person is online but marked themselves “Do Not Disturb”.

What’s a “verified” account vs. “member” vs. “board”?

Section titled “What’s a “verified” account vs. “member” vs. “board”?”

In the FAYDTA Discord, three labels matter:

  • DTA Verified — you’ve linked a faydta.com account. You have a real identity, but you’re not a paying member yet.
  • DTA Member — you’re a paying DTA member. Unlocks the member-only channels.
  • DTA Board — you’re on the board. Unlocks board-only channels.

These are called roles. You don’t grant them yourself — they come from /link plus your status on faydta.com.

Now that the words make sense, time to actually use the place — drop a hello and find your rhythm.

Next: 7. Now what? →


If you ran into a term in Discord that’s not on this list, let the board know and we’ll add it. This page is meant to grow with the community.