Identity at Mozilla: Users don't like social login
We also noticed that users dislike the NASCAR-style plastering of branded login buttons. If the user recognizes none, she’s forced to use a new identity provider. If the user recognizes one, the others are distracting. If the user recognizes more than one, she’ll likely forget which one she used the first time, click another one the second time, fail to retrieve her data at the web site in question, groan, and start again.
I can never remember whether I had logged in with my Twitter or Facebook account whenever I revisit a website where I previously created an account. I switch back and forth between social networks with no clear reason other than the whim of the moment.
I do like it on mobile apps though especially since I hate creating new passwords without 1Password generating and saving the login credentials for me.
Amazon's Mega Dropdown Menu
Don’t you hate it when you navigate to a item in a subfolder and the menu disappears when your cursor fails to move exactly horizontally? The most common technique attempts to fix this by delaying the activation of certain actions.
If you check out the dropdown menu on Amazon’s website, you will notice that it has an interesting take on this time-old problem. Ben Kamen’s explains that Amazon detects what direction your cursor is moving in. Rather than giving users a cushion to mess up, Amazon’s approach adapts to how most people actually navigate multiple levels of menus.
The Agony of Macys.com
Macys.com - It is utterly impossible to update your Macy’s account password unless you reset it via the “Forgot my password” link in the log in form. For the life of me, I cannot figure out how to accomplish this simple task.
Googling for help, I came across this useless page via Macy’s customer service website:
To update your password, log in using your email address and current password and once you have accessed your profile, simply delete the password listed in both the <Password> and <Verify Password> fields. You may then type in your new password. Please make sure you enter your new password in both fields. Once you have updated the necessary information, please click on the <Update Profile> button at the bottom of the page.
I have tried, and tried, and tried. Each time, I get this useless error message. The two password fields are highlighted for some reason. Is it because it doesn’t like the number of characters I used? Not enough mix of numbers, characters, etc? I have no idea.
The password reset form isn’t much better I’m afraid.
First step is pretty routine. What’s your email address? Boom. Ok, here’s the security question. Answer it.
Side note: In hindsight, I poorly misjudged that future Tony’s would know the answer right away. I didn’t. That will be a discussion for the future.
Alas, the step I’ve been waiting for. Looking at the password restrictions, I am saddened that I won’t be using my typical 30+ character long passwords thanks to 1Password Pro. No biggie. I can live with that. Right?
Stop right there. We have a problem. Ahhhh…upon further clarification, the password doesn’t allow character symbols! I wish you had told me that right away, Macy’s.
Oh, and one more thing, Macy’s. “jane47” is a terrible password to use as an example.
Khan Academy - Two interesting things to note here. Upon signing up for an account on Khan Academy, the site displays a popup telling you to check your inbox for a confirmation email. This is pretty standard but here we are given a button linking to the email service indicated by your provided email address.
The second useful feature is that if you attempt to sign up for an account using a previously submitted email address, Khan Academy will resend you the confirmation message. Not as creative as the first point, but the attention to detail is welcoming.
Didn’t want to download this game directly to my iPod. Instead, I downloaded it via iTunes and proceeded to sync my device. When I made this attempt, I came across this lovely message.
I guess my virtual racing career is now temporarily on hold.
