Expression 'Apply to Join…' — not ideal, especially if a user has previously applied, then confirmed subscription, then registered, then confirmed registration

Posted by Graham Perrin on Feb 02, 2009; 3:18pm
URL: https://support.nabble.com/Warning-Unauthorized-to-View-is-false-when-visibility-does-not-require-authority-tp2249204p2258405.html

Any invitation to …join… may be viewed as a duplicate, triplicate or greater multiple of a previous action — particularly if the access relates to a list archive. Consider a workflow from an end-user perspective:

1. first application form: to join a list
2. receive via e-mail a link to confirm the application
3. confirm your application
4. discover, or gain direction to, Nabble
5. second application form: register to use Nabble
6. receive via e-mail a link to confirm the registration
7. discover, or gain direction to, a Nabble forum (archive of the list) that is visible to the public
8. click to post
9. third application form: Apply to Join (a private forum).

At that step 9 the user may wonder (with justification) how many more application forms lie ahead.

I understand the logic, and users who are familiar with Nabble may understand the logic, but a newcomer may find the third application form unexpected.

In lieu of Apply to Join
maybe, Request access.

Hmm. Still not quite right. From the perspective of a confused user, the form is missing something.

More important than the title (of the page) and heading (of the form), there should be:

• an unmistakable reassurance that this form is not leading to a requirement for a third set of credentials.

How to word that reassurance? Right now, I'm not sure. But you get the idea :)

Best,
Graham