It has a direct effect, Jay. I realize all of the info is here, but its so hard to find and access sometimes, and if most users aren't very helpful, it can be a factor in making new users feel unwelcome, so it needs to be addressed. I'm glad he mentioned it.

[/quote]2. By "user-friendliness" the OP meant how accomidating the people are, not how easy it is to log in to the "other" site.[/QUOTE]
I get that, but right now, people are answering questions needlessly and getting irritated with the new cats because of the layout. Solving that may help the other. This site IS pretty cool for the most part, but its info availability isn't.

All of the info on maemo.org can be accessed without being logged in to the site so ....

Again, has nothing to do with site logins. Has to do with layout.
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I don't see how either thing you said had anything to do with either thing I said.

Site Log-Ins != Site layout.

Jay, you have to stop and either deny or admit that the way the site is laid out and the unclear login situation has confused new users, and needlessly repelled people that may have benefitted from the community. As a businessman, I see it as bad service and relations, and something I'd want fixed. Users will see it as the site not caring or being out of touch with the process (where's the "You must register separately" message??) in regards to anyone not here the last few years.

You can access all of the info, but if you have issues getting logged in, and don't see anything in the way of help, you abandon ship for the alternative communities. To continue this way could make one of those communities the preferred place for Maemo info, which would be a shame, since all it would take to make it better would be a little extra time to plan and design it better.

If you have issue logging into a section of the site, and there's no help, its not user friendly. That you don't see the point after multiple people's explanations may be evidence of the disconnect, and maybe you just don't get it. Either way, a better layout would do alot to make more satisfied users.

logins and layout are BOTH an issue, and it causes frustrations I KNOW no one really wants to needlessly deal with

Yes, but, you see, talk.maemo.org (t.m.o) used to be not part of *.maemo.org called internettablettalk.com (ItT). SSO (single sign on) is on list of features to be added. It is a known issue. I couldn't find it in Bugzilla, but I know its known... hmm, hihi.

Umm, unless you're trying to do something karma-related, there's no reason an inquisitive non-developing new user needs to be logged in to the main site in the first place (at least in regards to TMO).

No information on maemo.org is restricted by not being logged in.

If it wasn't blatantly obvious that you're trying to draw people to your maemo site by pointing out how bad this one is, I'd pursue this issue further... but it is... so I won't.

Ah, my young jedi apprentice, the Force is indeed strong in you.

well there is planet maemo and brainstorm what non-developing users might want use, these two places are not just for developers and requires a maemo.org login to take part
one of main reasons brainstorm gets so little attention from users is b/c most new members can't be bothered to create another login

I didn't get that feeling at all. He was describing exactly what I experienced here and he didn't say anything that made me think he was promoting some other site. His comments were so close to my own experience that he could have been reading my mind.

I clearly remember (from when I first joined) getting a negative impression of the whole site due to the confusing login issues. It is easy to forget how new users experience things. It wasn't that long ago for me, so I still remember my first impressions. I think christexaport nails it, and I think his feedback is constructive and useful.

Thanks. No plans to abandon ship here. I like this community (including both your contributions and those of christexaport).

And I'll just wait and see what happens with my login. It is not a big deal to me at this moment (but that doesn't diminish the value of christexaport's feedback IMO).