element-hq / element-hq/element-web

"Sign into your homeserver" UI is confusing

Open
#15,891 9 comments 1 reaction 0 assignees View on GitHub
A-Login A-Registration T-Defect X-Needs-Design
Dominant language
TypeScript
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Forks
2.8k
PR merge metrics
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Description

### Description

The new UI introduced by matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk#5426 for signing in with a custom homeserver is confusing. Previously you would be shown an input box saying "Homeserver URL", the meaning of which was clear. However, now we get a radio button list of options, where the first is "matrix.org" and the second is an input box labeled "Other homeserver". (Is a radio list really necessary for only 2 options?) Because of the other option being "matrix.org", I though that I should simply enter my server's name (example.com) instead of its URL (https://matrix.example.com). However, entering this prevents me from pressing the "Continue" button, and I am not shown any error or form validation message that would tell me what is wrong, causing me to think that the sign in flow is simply broken. :( Only after opening the console and seeing the error message do I realize that I am meant to input the homeserver URL in the box. The previous text "Sign in to your Matrix account on matrix.org [Change]" was also much easier to understand, and did not require new users to learn what "Homeserver" means to know what they're doing.

![2020-12-04-010703_535x475_scrot](https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/48614497/101108732-16adf880-35cd-11eb-8a77-12b566e911fb.png)

### Version information

- **URL**: https://develop.element.io/

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by reviewing the custom homeserver sign-in flow introduced by matrix-org/matrix-react-sdk#5426 and reproduce it at https://develop.element.io/. Check the behavior when entering a homeserver name instead of a URL; done means the form clearly explains the expected input and no longer leaves the Continue action silently unavailable.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
typescript
Domain
frontend
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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