@pixelfed cc @liaizon

@dansup @pixelfed @dansup Works in my eyes, no objections here - with or without an home instance the path is quite clear! 👍🏻

@dansup @pixelfed maybe mention you can change, and agree remove overwhelming.

Hugz & xXx

@dansup @spiegelmama @pixelfed If it is technically possible to change communities without losing followers, etc, I’d suggest an addition to “consider joining …”: “you can always change to a different community later on” - or something in that direction…

@dansup @pixelfed The reference to Pixelfed.social is well intentioned, but in my opinion leads to (more) centralization in the short- medium and long term - this is IMO not good - why do we see at Mastodon with Mastodon. currently, why centralization for several reasons:

- Increasing moderation effort
- Distribution on the width of the Fediverse stops

@dansup @pixelfed Specify that they all intercommunicate, so being on one server doesn’t exclude you from content in another. Very hard to wrap your head around when you’re new to an activity pub platform

@dansup @pixelfed
Is still think something like this would be better
https://cyberplace.social/@uzayran/110360093973734281

The server is part of the username. Customizing their username shouldn't be overwhelming for most people

@dansup @pixelfed IMO many new users won’t read all that text and are likely to think “communities” is a feature, rather than alternate servers. I suggest adjusting the title for that button to make it feel more like an alternative: “join a different community” or “explore my options” or something.

@pixelfed Updated signup screen, thanks for the feedback and please keep it coming!

@dansup @pixelfed I think “explore communities” sounds too much like just browsing the photos. And the “join” button looks like the only join button. This is knowing that most people won’t read the text.

@dansup @pixelfed How aobut instead of "Join pixelfed.social" you display a list of 3 servers or something? Maybe the one of the country of which one is connected from, pixelfed.social and a randomly picked one from pixtagram, fedifilm, privagram and other instances that are more specially focused on something instead of a general-purpose instance?

@dansup @pixelfed

I had this solution in mind for #Mastodon on #iOS, but I guess its somewhat transferrable to #PixelFed too if you are willing to maintain a list of instances.

@dansup @pixelfed It should just go straight into a list of instances with descriptions about their purposed and the general pixelfed.social displayed prominently at the top with a description like that.

@dansup @pixelfed honestly love the 1st screen with the vibrant text. Helps onboarding very well. 2nd screenshot is suggesting pixelfed.social which is fine, but you don't want to risk a similar situation to what @Gargron had with the @Mastodon app.

@dansup - If there is a very large influx of new users, will the suggested instances manage the pressure?

(Looking at the onboarding from the instance perspective).

+ @pixelfed

@dansup instead of the "Join pixelfed.social" button I'd rather have a list of popular instances.

@dansup I think the latest version looks good, and it is clear.

I do have a tweak for the final part to clarify account migration a little. If uptake of account migration support is widespread, it would be clearer to omit the “if….” clause in parentheses below.

“You can follow and interact with accounts in other communities. You can also easily change communities, keeping your posts and followers (if your community supports account migration).”

@dansup Looks good and simple to understand. That said, most people would probably just go with the default black button and join pixelfed.social. If you're okay with that, it should be fine.

Otherwise, maybe consider showcasing servers on the same screen with the Join button? I'm thinking tiles in a scrolling fashion. I'm terrible at UI though, so this may be too much.

@dansup Hi! I like these. Uncluttered with clear calls to action and accessible, inclusive plain language

@dansup

Yes, it does for a user who is already familiar with the workflow. There's a fair amount of empty space though that could conceivably be used to explain or reinforce the concept of federating possibly by (re?) using a diagram used in documentation and setting opacity. This then maintains that clean open look by pushing that image back, but serves as a helpful recall to a new user who is learning that "Hey, this is where you pick your server to log in to."

@dansup @pixelfed the people who are put off by a small friction of signing up or understanding the #fediverse are not worth compromising the very essence of this platform for. those are the million accounts who registered after the #twittermigration then abandoned them.
I think #mastodon 's official app is in the wrong, and other software devs shouldn't follow suit.
I would like to see the fediverse grow but not at the cost of decentralization.

@dansup @pixelfed
Meh. Money is all that actually matters in the end

@dansup @pixelfed would you like some usability tests?

@dansup @pixelfed it's a lot of text so I skipped right over it and read the buttons. With just reading the buttons is not clear that pixelfed.social is a community and the explore button is to look at alternatives. So I might change it to "Explore other communities" to imply that pixelfed.social is a community.

Pretty nitpicky. Other than that it looks great

@dansup @pixelfed Ya. Just signed up. Process was mostly smooth. Joining a community was straightforward and clear. Getting told my username was already in use, and then having to retype my password twice seems like unnecessary friction.

@dansup I like the revised version in general but on the scond screen you might want to give some positive reasons for looking at other communities. @pixelfed

@dansup @pixelfed Some copy edit suggestions