How to Post Effectively

The bot should do a good job of parsing language in such a way that a user wouldn't have to know much, if anything, about how to use it. However, here is some clarifying info for those who want to know.

Raid discussion threads

• Discussing an existing raid will not create a new post, it will add you to the thread for that raid.
• To post a new raid, include a different location in your message from the raid that's been posted already.
• For example, if no other Articunos have been posted in the channel, simply the word Arti and an identifiable location will post a new raid. Once the raid exists, if another user just writes Arti, they will be added to the existing post's discussion thread instead of creating a new post. If the second user includes a different location, it will create a new Articuno post.

Only post one raid in a single message

• It may be possible in the future to post multiple raids at once, for now, it is not.

Post locations google can find

• The bot will only create a link for the location if google identifies it.
• Cross streets generally work well, as do locations such as parks, ponds, churches, theaters, etc.

Write time spans clearly

• It can identify time spans like "1 hour 30 mins", or "25 m". It also handles actual times, like "2:30pm".
• However, it is currently not great at differentiating things like "ends in 15" (without the time part) from potential locations.

Joining Raids

• Any emoji response (except 👎, which deletes if OP or server admin) to the bot's post will join +1 to the raid.
• If you are in or join a raid's discussion thread by posting a message like "I'll join Articuno" or "omw to zap" you will be included in the raid's joined users count.
• You can also join the raid by giving any emoji reaction to the raid post except thumbs down.
• You can join multiple people to the raid and give a time frame for your arrival using natural language as well, such as "3 of us on the way in 10 mins" or "there's 4 heading there in 10 mins".
• Once you have joined a raid, when others join, the bot will direct message you to let you know. This behavior can be stopped by responding with the word "stop".
• You can un-join the raid by either removing the emoji reaction (if that's how you joined) or by using the !unjoin command.

If all else fails, use the commands

• The !raid, !location, !join or !delete (or 👎 response) commands to fix any issues with the post.
• More info on commands in the readme
• Time spans can be updated by the post creator simply saying "ends in 1:30" or "ends at 4:30 pm" in chat.

Commands can use Unique Ids or Raid boss names

• Commands that require a [raid] parameter require a reference to the raid, most explicit being the raid's unique Id (posted just before the boss name in the raid post between brackets, ex: [aslj3])
• If you created a raid, you can reference it in commands using the boss name. For example: !delete arti or !location zapdos 3rd and main
• If you have created multiple posts with the same boss name, the one with the most recent discussion will be used.
• This does not work with the !merge command, only unique ids can be used to merge to remove ambiguitiy.