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If the app stores all my data locally, why does it require an email? It doesn't even say why an email is required, just an annoying "Enter your email to get sta

If the app stores all my data locally, why does it require an email? It doesn't even say why an email is required, just an annoying "Enter your email to get started" with no option to skip. I don't understand why apps have gotten so hostile towards curious users. For me, that's a hard Nope.

bm5k 6y ago
Yup. Made it to the email gatekeeper and uninstalled. The screenshots look neat though.
bronson 6y ago
Thank you! I would have bounced here too. You saved me the trouble.
nickmain 6y ago
Sign-in-with-Apple might be acceptable here, allowing the user to opt for an app-specific anonymous email. But the lack of explanation is baffling.
- ogre_codes 6y ago
  If the data is stored locally, there is no need for any account/ email/ whatever anywhere. That's what is completely baffling here.
  - throwaway815190 6y ago
    It's a subscription based model. It needs your account/email to make sure you're still subscribed.
    - ogre_codes 6y ago
      No. All the subscription details go through the App Store.
adamwiggins 6y ago
That's fair, and we're considering ways to make it possible to try the app without an email. However I'm curious: do you apply this same criteria when trying software like Notion, Figma, or Google Docs? I assume you have different criteria based on whether the software is downloaded to your local device or not, but would love to understand why that's so.
- valine 6y ago
  Requiring sign is a deal breaker for me as well. What happens is that a year from now I may want to use your application but will inevitably be on a new/different device and will have forgotten the email and password I used to create the account. Why add friction when it is obviously not necessary. Using the app without an email should be a primary workflow. Adding a temporary “try offline” mode is insufficient imo. That being said if you have to require sign in Sign in with Apple is definitely the way to go.
- ogre_codes 6y ago
  > However I'm curious: do you apply this same criteria when trying software like Notion, Figma, or Google Docs? Above you mentioned your preference for keeping data local to the device. That is one of the big motivators for even downloading the app. I don't use Notion or Figma, and prefer Pages or Numbers to Google Docs when possible, so yes I do apply the same criteria. Even though I avoid it when possible, I can at least understand why a tool like Google Docs which is cloud first or collaborative by nature requires an account. Why a local-first app requires an email is a complete mystery to me. What's the benefit to me as a user? If you don't make that case, I assume it's for marketing and pass on it.
  - ogre_codes 6y ago
    Also, so much of the junk mail I get now is notifications from products and services I used for a while and stopped using later. I'm sure every vendor thinks their product or service announcements are meaningful and worthwhile. But ultimately the bulk of them are just pleas to get me back on their service/ site. So now I avoid dropping my email when I can avoid it. Passing it out to try a new product just doesn't cross that bar.

bm5k 6y ago

Yup. Made it to the email gatekeeper and uninstalled. The screenshots look neat though.

bronson 6y ago

Thank you! I would have bounced here too. You saved me the trouble.

nickmain 6y ago

Sign-in-with-Apple might be acceptable here, allowing the user to opt for an app-specific anonymous email. But the lack of explanation is baffling.

ogre_codes 6y ago
If the data is stored locally, there is no need for any account/ email/ whatever anywhere. That's what is completely baffling here.
- throwaway815190 6y ago
  It's a subscription based model. It needs your account/email to make sure you're still subscribed.
  - ogre_codes 6y ago
    No. All the subscription details go through the App Store.

adamwiggins 6y ago

That's fair, and we're considering ways to make it possible to try the app without an email. However I'm curious: do you apply this same criteria when trying software like Notion, Figma, or Google Docs? I assume you have different criteria based on whether the software is downloaded to your local device or not, but would love to understand why that's so.

valine 6y ago
Requiring sign is a deal breaker for me as well. What happens is that a year from now I may want to use your application but will inevitably be on a new/different device and will have forgotten the email and password I used to create the account. Why add friction when it is obviously not necessary. Using the app without an email should be a primary workflow. Adding a temporary “try offline” mode is insufficient imo. That being said if you have to require sign in Sign in with Apple is definitely the way to go.
ogre_codes 6y ago
> However I'm curious: do you apply this same criteria when trying software like Notion, Figma, or Google Docs? Above you mentioned your preference for keeping data local to the device. That is one of the big motivators for even downloading the app. I don't use Notion or Figma, and prefer Pages or Numbers to Google Docs when possible, so yes I do apply the same criteria. Even though I avoid it when possible, I can at least understand why a tool like Google Docs which is cloud first or collaborative by nature requires an account. Why a local-first app requires an email is a complete mystery to me. What's the benefit to me as a user? If you don't make that case, I assume it's for marketing and pass on it.
- ogre_codes 6y ago
  Also, so much of the junk mail I get now is notifications from products and services I used for a while and stopped using later. I'm sure every vendor thinks their product or service announcements are meaningful and worthwhile. But ultimately the bulk of them are just pleas to get me back on their service/ site. So now I avoid dropping my email when I can avoid it. Passing it out to try a new product just doesn't cross that bar.