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Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

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Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#11

5. Email a login link to the users verified email address. No need for a password.

I was debating including that option :P

I've just never actually seen anyone else do it.For some reason, it feels 100x more complicated than checking my SMS app for an SMS code when in reality its not that different.

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#12
What will users get out of logging in?

Which is to say that the first options would be simply for the app to work without anyone having to log in. That's practical for some apps, and of course not for others. The larger point is that just as a login mechanism might not be necessary, if it is necessary the choice of mechanism should make sense given the nature of the app...don't use Twitter for a self-help app for narcissism or Instagram for a seniors lifestyle app.

As for the alternatives, what good could possibly come out of storing name/email and password pairs?

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#13
In 2016 there are different levels of logged in: L1 - I think I know who you are because you have a cookie or I remember your IP or browser fingerprint L2 - I definitely know who you are because you logged in during this session and have a cookie L3 - I trust you enough to show you your user info over https since I just asked you to log in and you gave a password or verified you with facebook.

Obviously some bigger names are experimenting and trust their tracking enough to do away with authentication for some things. Personally, I have an anonymous mode on one site. It is "I don't know who you are but I remember you." They can use the site and then convert to a real user with facebook, google, or email/password.

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#15
I already have 1000 different accounts on 1000 different websites. I don't want yet another one. Can someone fix that?

Fuck emails. Fuck passwords. I don't want to deal with any of these things. What's the purposed of being logged-in anyways?

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#16

I already have 1000 different accounts on 1000 different websites. I don't want yet another one. Can someone fix that? Fuck emails. Fuck passwords. I don't want to deal with any of these things. What's the purposed of being logged-in anyways?

This is an interesting thought. The point of logging in would be to save user state, but maybe users can opt-out of that for certain apps... hmm

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#18
I would try to get away with the most minimal thing possible. Ideally I would do the same thing flash games have always done and create a cookie for the user.

If they need to login from a different place, I would put a simple 1 line form and button for emailing a link that would allow them to do that.

If it was necessary, I would give them the option to backup their account to an email address. This would just set the hash to something new so that the old cookie info no longer works, and they only have to click the reactivation email.

If this is an account where virtual goods are purchased (like Steam) and so there is actual value to the account, I would do email + phone backup. Phone backups aren't good enough on their own because people switch phone numbers. Emails aren't good enough on their own because people reuse login data all the time. This is the only case where I wouldn't store login data using cookies.

Forcing registrations and logins on the user really doesn't make sense 99% of the time.

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#19

I already have 1000 different accounts on 1000 different websites. I don't want yet another one. Can someone fix that? Fuck emails. Fuck passwords. I don't want to deal with any of these things. What's the purposed of being logged-in anyways?

It doesn't need to be fixed. It's just that everyone who creates content wants to play big brother. It's the person who's forcing you to create accounts, not the technology.

Re: Ask HN: You're building an app in 2016 – How would you let users login?

#20

I already have 1000 different accounts on 1000 different websites. I don't want yet another one. Can someone fix that? Fuck emails. Fuck passwords. I don't want to deal with any of these things. What's the purposed of being logged-in anyways?

This is an interesting thought. The point of logging in would be to save user state, but maybe users can opt-out of that for certain apps... hmm

There are better ways.
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