@dansup @pixelfed QR codes/links. You're just making a rod for your own back otherwise: "Why do you support this server?" "Why are you discriminating against this one?"

@dansup @pixelfed

Make the default a browser for trusted instances, but give users the option to specify the URL of an instance as "advanced feature".

This way everyone should be happy.

@dansup @pixelfed Only list the trusted ones and then make it possible to do "other" or "advanced setting" where the instance can be input manually

@dansup @pixelfed It's very, VERY frustrating for someone who's just set up an instance not to be able to create an account or connect to the app.

@dansup @pixelfed Aye, my instance is not listed on the official List, because I don't want to attract randoms and bots, yet I would like users to use the official app to register.

The best solution would be for me: if you type in the precise domain of the target instance in the search field it will get polled (like it currently does, I think?) QR Codes would also help.

@dansup @pixelfed are you sure you aren't solving a problem before manifests?

Usually, if users select specific instance - they know what they're doing.

What you can do as a developer is maybe show most popular/trusted ones at the start.

@dansup @pixelfed redirect to register page might be a solution, for any other instances.

@dansup @pixelfed No, not a good idea. You just have to accept the risk of that and find an instance with a good track record.

@dansup @pixelfed

I feel you are over-complicating things.
Anyone can open an email server and shut it down without warning and it's just accepted as a fact of life...

@dansup @pixelfed sounds interesting, but how do you define a "trusted instance"? Trusted by whom?

@dansup @pixelfed what app? I just checked the Play store and it wasn't there.

@dansup @pixelfed I think sing-up should be done out of app, but app should link to updated list of known good instances.
But login to instance needs to be as easy as possible.

@dansup The way I see it you're making it less convenient, not blocking it. So there is no excluding going on. And making better choices more convenient is just good design.

However, you do risk promoting a bubble of "good" instances, which isn't ideal. So make sure to include enough servers. And make sure to decide which servers are trusted by metrics that don't exclude smaller instances. If you keep those things in mind I think it would be fine.

@dansup @pixelfed Personally I would keep the list of trusted instances, but still add the ability to enter a custom URL, bit make it clear that Pixelfed can't take responsibility of what happens on custom instances :blobfox:

@dansup @pixelfed warn the users. Other stuff is not your problem anymore 🙃

@dansup just let people have an option to specify the domain manually. If they already know that from somewhere then they most likely have a reason to use that specific instance.

It of course doesn't need to be shoved in your face and I personally would not include a full list of all known instances in the app directly but not offering signups on arbitrary instances as a feature to advanced/knowledgable users massively gimps the app and goes against the federated idea of the whole thing imo.