this post was submitted on 13 Feb 2025
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190
Onboarding experience needs to be simpler for mass adoption (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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If the fediverse is to be adopted by the masses, the onboarding experience needs to change. A new user can't be presented with a choice of instances as part of signing up or at least the process of making the choice needs to dumbed down a lot. I don't know how or if this can be solved, I just know as someone involved in app development and UX that the current experience won't work.

My mother would not know how to handle this paragraph: "Lemmy.world is one node in a network of hundreds of Lemmy instances. Before you sign up here, take a moment to explore all the instances at https://lemmyverse.net/. You may find an instance with a regional or topical emphasis that speaks to you! Don’t worry about being left out; Lemmy instances are interconnected so users from each instance can participate with communities on other instances."

For mass adoption it needs to be so simple that even non-techie older people can get through it without feeling like they might be doing something wrong.

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[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 week ago (4 children)

I think they should stick to the "email provider" analogy. Whole paragraph should be something like:

The only thing you need to start interacting with the Fediverse is an account with one of the many providers, just like with email! Providers are freely available across the globe: pick one that suits your location or interests best! You can start browsing the content of nearly the entire Fediverse from whatever provider you choose. Don't worry, you can always create an account with a different provider later.

You could add a sentence or two about where to find sensible defaults or link an article that explains the more subtle things.

I think the emphasis on instances (and not naming them the more familiar providers) hinders adoption.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago (1 children)

That's a great analogy, but it's too big a barrier for many, most give up before picking a instance, we should set good defaults and then the users can figure it out once they are used to the platform.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Yes, very much in favor of sensible defaults for first timers. Most frontends/apps support multiple accounts anyway so changing/adding more later on really shouldn't be a problem

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 week ago

Never considered it like that, good analogy

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago (2 children)

The difference is that the email provider you chose won't make it so you can't send an email to your friends because your providers don't talk to one another.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Well, it's meant as an introductory paragraph. I think such a general paragraph should not go to those lengths since the vast majority won't be facing that issue. Most large instances that you would recommend for first timers are federated well enough that at least the civilised part of Lemmy is very accessible. I think that with:

  • sensible defaults/suggestions
  • easy to understand intro
  • a help/link to a detailed article

you cover enough for users who can't be bothered, who want to be informed, and those who want to understand what's going on behind the scenes.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 week ago

"Lemmy has 47k monthly active users

Feel free if you have any questions"

https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/37336391

[–] Kichae 1 points 1 week ago

No, that's not true. The big email providers absolutely block smaller and personal hosts. There's a whole system of features and options you need to install and support in order to get through the door, thanks to spammers.