#steemit

Engineering Update: Wallet Change Feedback

Screen Shot 2019-04-04 at 12.56.58 PM.png

Hello Steemians, the intended purpose of our Engineering Updates has been to keep the community informed of what we’re doing, but one of the biggest lessons we learned this week is that just because we’ve increased communications doesn’t mean the majority of users are receiving the information they need.

Wallet Changes

This week we rolled out changes to steemit.com that caught users by surprise. Most of the work we do is actually in the backend, so when we think about improving steemit.com, we think about improving “Condenser,” the Open Source software that powers steemit.com. We’ve been releasing regular updates about our plan to “split Condenser,” but what we should have been explaining was how this would affect the user experience on steemit.com.

Rather than going into the details of this change and why it was absolutely critical, we feel it’s more important to let you know that the feedback provided has been incredibly useful and we are already working to organize and integrate this feedback into steemit.com and steemitwallet.com so that we can deliver the user experience you desire. We will summarize some of the feedback and solutions we are considering here, and we would appreciate any additional feedback in the comments section below.

Communication

The biggest lesson has been that “more” information isn’t always better. We need a way to show users especially important updates. Addressing this issue was one of the intentions behind the “Updates Log” but that is clearly not sufficient. 60% of steemit.com users are on mobile devices and don’t see the log at all, and we suspect that even those using steemit.com on computers no longer notice the log. For that reason we are considering adding a “Featured Post” section to the top of feeds. Not only could we use this functionality to highlight important updates from our team, but we could also use it to feature high quality content from community members, or offer that space as an incentive for great content creators to join the platform.

But we also understand that this isn’t just a software problem. Our work is incredibly technical, but our product is intended to be used by everyone‒not just engineers. That’s why we intend to work more directly with community members to ensure that the information we are communicating, and the way we are communicating it, is the information people actually want.

Password Problems

If you are having sign in problems, odds are that you are–and always have been–signing in with your Master Password which is not the same as your Active or Owner key. First, don’t panic. If you’ve been able to sign into steemit.com and perform both social and token-related features, then you can regain access to every feature you need. @llfarms has written a great post that will walk you through resolving whatever issues you are experiencing.

To learn more about your Master Password and private keys, you can also check out our Steem Basics post here or watch the following video:

We have received a lot of feedback on how we can better guide users through the process of retrieving and using the proper keys and we plan to continue improving both the user interface and the copy so that it is easy and intuitive for users. The critical challenge is that it is simply not safe for users to be using their Master Password to do everything on Steem. We are confident we can make the experience of using multiple private keys easy and intuitive over time, but this change had to be made to keep users safe before scaling to the next level.

Stuck In steemitwallet.com

Another common piece of feedback is that users feel they are getting “stuck” in steemitwallet.com. There appear to be two scenarios causing this outcome. Both can be mitigated by making it easier to get back to steemit.com from the wallet. We’ve already coded up the addition of a “Read Blog” tab to the wallet page so that users will have a one-click solution for getting back to steemit.com, but we don't intend to stop there. We want the experience of going between steemit.com and steemitwallet.com to totally seamless. One interesting piece of feedback that was especially insightful was the idea that visually distinguishing steemitwallet.com from steemit.com might actually make the transition between sites more intuitive and that is definitely something we are now considering.

Thank You

The most important lesson we’ve learned from this experience is that we need to do a better job of communicating with our users both before and after a feature is released. Your feedback on this important change has been incredibly informative and will significantly impact the software solutions we release in the immediate future as well as the long term. We want you to help guide the evolution of steemit.com, so please leave more feedback in the comments section below, and don’t forget that you can explore your ideas even further in a steemit.com blog post! We’d love to read them!

The Steemit Team

Comments · 59

@furion(71)· 2682d
Given that SP delegations are a core feature of the STEEM platform, the official wallet should support it.
@zainenn(69)· 2689d
I have spent a long time building up my reputation to 69, on my way to 70. What happened to all the reputation?!?!?!?!?!?!?
@phoenixwren(73)· 2692d
Thank you for responding to our feedback! Side question: is there a reason whenever I do a transaction in my wallet, it does it, but the window that pops up where I confirm and whatnot does not go away, and if I want to do another transaction, I have to close the tab entirely and re-sign in to my wallet? The little "x" in the corner doesn't close it, either - it just acts like it's still thinking, even after the transaction is done. And this is on a laptop. Thanks!
@drutter(73)· 2692d
I'm logging into my wallet at least 3 times more often than I was before the 'upgrade'. Since my key isn't saved in my browner, this increase means I'm spending a LOT of my time retrieving and entering my password. This is also a security risk. Each time it has to be done, there is a chance of interception. Tripling the chance of security risk, for what gain? This upgrade was a downgrade. Please, fix this!
@sneak(65)· 2695d
Why even have an "x" close button on the annoying of-interest-only-to-technical-people blue wallet post alert bar if it's only going to respawn every single page/app load?
@steemseph(72)· 2695d
Dear @steemitblog, there is nothing in my wallet called, "Master Password." The tutorials make reference to a "Master Password." It's was confusing. A "Master Password" is not the same as an "Owner Key", right?

BTW, thanks for trying to keep us safe.
@darkflame(70)· 2696d
@steemitblog , @andrarchy
1. The SteemitWallet does not reveal keys properly. I am having trouble still, when I click reveal on the passwords and permissions page, it returns me and does not reveal. Click again, it says enter password again. Repeat and no reveal.
2. I am already seeing users having issues, posting on facebook that they are not able to login. Please fix this. Many new users are going to quit because of this split. Some already have.
@fingolfin(63)· 2696d
Another issue I noticed- When looking at my curation or author rewards it links to the post that earned said rewards, the problem being that now the link has been changed to steemitwallet.com/(insert post url here) which is not a valid address.

Could you make sure that the links point to the correct URL of the posts that received the rewards ?
@drutter(73)· 2696d
Is the "keep me logged in" option meant to do something? Currently, it doesn't.
@sumayyahsaidso(64)· 2697d
This is helpful. Thank you.

Posted using Partiko Android
@mrnazrul(53)· 2698d
Dear #steemitblog The way you are trying to represent yourself is just a business promotion. What's said about wallet, similar to the old car coloring suit. In today's writing, no new shadow is seen. Although trying to bring two new proposals, the suspicion could not free himself from the net. Maybe free at any time. Try the poor people to get rid of the freedom easily. All of you should be beneficial for your engineering, this is the wish of today.
@mehta(77)· 2699d
I like this post because it listen the voice/feedback of steemians. This is lovely steps for future development. Hope this will continue. Love this post communication.
@bdk1970(50)· 2699d
This isn't working out. Site is slow as hell, I have to try and login every time I click anything, it sucks. And chat doesn't work with ANY of the damn keys I use
@kawaiicrush(66)· 2699d
Steemit allows this "Steem blockchain witness" 'BernieSanders' to sexually harass women as well as to tell people "He wants to put a bullet in their head" as Steemit Inc. does nothing to stop/prevent it and allows this type of behavior to carry on with full knowledge.

It is illegal to tell people you want to "put bullets in their head, as well as to sexually harass women" You are being made aware of this situation in an attempt to get you to help make it stop. Please do something about it.

Thank you. @ned @steemit
@silvertop(76)· 2700d
I get the security improvement, but it would be nice if on a mobile phone you could still claim your rewards with just your posting key. I won't use my Active key on a mobile at all. Now I need to sign into my desktop computer once a day with steem connect just to get rewards. This feature could be a one way feature, no transfers, no withdrawal's just the ability to claim rewards.
@whatsup(76)· 2700d
Well done non-defensive and great explanation of what happened and how it will be improved.

I would suggest that a continued effort be made to bring down the difficulty level.

The users who are the most impacted are mainstream users who have no idea why they have 4 sets of keys, and which ones to use. This is how I started too. My account and my wallet grew at about the same rate, so by the time security mattered it wasn't so daunting to understand the keys. Also consider making the KEY names more meaningful. APP keys (posting) and Wallet (active) Keys is one suggestion and would be easy to train. APP does anything but wallets actions. Wallet Keys are for all things wallet. The Owner Key should be "Permissions and Advanced Settings"

Just ideas to keep the site user friendly as well as secure.

Andy stated at one point your employees would be using the site. I see that as part of the problem. Those who are making the most important decisions are out of touch with the user base and the tools and have an inability to understand how changes will impact endusers.

People save their passwords here like anywhere else... that is a normal use case on MOST of the Internet. If you sign up for a new site that requires "Training" just to login that is a large barrier to entry, and the double logins while maybe necessary and simple to many of you. Extra clicks, steps and page loads are usually a turn off to any end user.

I think sometimes you guys forget how much you know about crypto and you expect others to see it as simply as you do. For most mainstream users this is an entirely different experience. :)

Thanks for the update.
@coinchaos(63)· 2700d
Hello,

Thank you for the update on the wallet. It helped me understand more about the overall network of Steem. Also being a sender of information is very difficult because you need to select the important messages so they are easily received.

Over and Out, CoinChaos Steem Explorer #1
@trufflepig(64)· 2700d
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@arcange(79)· 2700d
Congratulations @steemitblog! Your post was mentioned in the Steem Hit Parade in the following category:
- Comments - Ranked 9 with 66 comments
@ayogom(69)· 2700d
Can not find profile edit. Do you also need to edit your profile in your wallet? I think that something is not appropriate.

and steemitwallet has a link error. I will be connected to the address below. https://steemitwallet.com/@roundbeargames/character-movement-or-2-5d-platformer-or-unity-tutorial

And login will be released continuously. I checked the option to keep at login.
@soyrosa(75)· 2700d
So, I've been helping quite a few users through the change and have been reading lots of posts and comments and chats. Here's some suggestions based on that information:
- Make sure next time a bigger roll-out happens it gets 'announced' properly: for example that blue bar on top of Steemit.com right now could be used to read something like: 'big change happening in 5 days, make sure you do xxx so you are prepared for this change'. This way people will feel prepared and are not in shock from the sudden change. Of course this still would not inform everyone, but more than were informed now.
- I personally appreciate the Engineering Updates, but I know how to read them. Most people don't. Maybe make it more fun and add a 'Translation for non-techies' paragraph at the end of each post. In this case it could have read: in a few weeks you will not be able to reach your wallet through steemit.com anymore, but will be directed to a new/dedicated website. The advantage of this 'split' is amongst others better security for your STEEM holdings, safer usage of keys amongst all Steemians, and possibly faster development on steemit.com because risks for mistakes that weaken the safety of the wallet have been removed'. Even better: make a separate post once a month: What did we talk about in our technical posts that you should know about? - with a catchy title you would grab a lot of ReSteems and more 'normie' users would know about the changes happening.
In general I would suggest to take a 'mobile first' approach for everything. I've really enjoyed the 'logs' in the right sidebar, but I've learned throughout the years brainstorming/developing app ideas that people want to be able to do most things on mobile, plus in most African countries the whole 'desktop' phase was skipped, instead immediately going on mobile. So make it work on mobile and then translate to desktop.

Just some thoughts.

Personally I'm very happy with the progress you are all making on the communication front. It's a huge change from a year ago, and I personally feel very well informed. It's not just better it's also very consistent. Keep up the good work and with a few minor tweaks there will come a point where you will get kuddos from everyone, since the communication is readable and understandable for everyone.

Cheers!
@blazing(71)· 2700d
the wallet page doesn't even work what the hell is that
@lordbutterfly(80)· 2700d
1. The worst thing about the wallet i see is that i have to open the wallet just to see my balance. Thats annoying. You could have left everything where it was and just created a new icon for the wallet on the top bar (See whaleshares.).. The "old wallet" would show the balance and would be non interactive. Opening a new tab every time i want to see my balance is very annoying..
2. Another thing is that im not a fan of the font.
3. Concerning the locked out folks... Firstly I dont understand how they have not already saved their keys. Secondly, if the passwords are browser saved it literally takes 1 second to open the passwords tab and copy the saved password from there.
I dont get the backlash over the keys but i do think Steemit.inc (and any front end) need (and im putting this in bold for a reason) a set of professionally made tutorial videos and a glossary that is easily accessible from the home page Thats actually where this video you made should be. Easily accessible.
@hunter016(44)· 2700d
steemit wallet has another problem, every time I do a transfer or power up, I am forced to reload the whole page, since the mini popup loads infinitely, even if I click on the x, resolve as soon as possible
@ssteemhunter(39)· 2700d
Appreciated all that is going on currently to make the Steem blockchain better in the future. Keep up the good work! @andrarchy @llfarms
@penderis(71)· 2700d
Can't the wallet also display available RC and Voting power? Those are basics that we have to use multiple tools to be able to see, sure would be nice if I just bought some drugs with steem and see oh you know I am awfully close to 100% VP let me go vote so I can curation for more drugs. Rc is more for smaller users... Since I can be bothered with my RC ... Don't you just love that gap between the classes. Just like real life :)
@arifullah(43)· 2700d
Personally I had very little problem with the change. I am wondering why however we must redeem payouts. Why not just add it to our totals @steemitblog @andrarchy
@shakkei(54)· 2700d
hello, i am very new and a bit confused . When I now go on wallet it takes me to another site- and do I need to login there to do something with the wallet and with which key? maybe very basic question for very new steemers it is a big problem to get used to all the functions etc. hope it is ok so ask that very basic things but i guess a lot of beginners are also wondering. for german speaking people: gibt es ein tutorial für die neue wallet seite auf die man weiter geleiett wird ev auch Deutsch? danke
@deemarshall(67)· 2700d
Thank you for this post.

Now, after two days of using the new wallet, I'm used to it. Getting stuck in wallet means I log into Steemit again so it isn't too much of a problem just an annoyance.

Password problems haven't been a problem for me as I have a system for them. I think users with password problems have to take some responsibility for being able to access them. Maybe you could suggest basic copy and paste for those who said they were typing their passwords incorrectly.

I find the sidebar of updates useful. After a short while, I predict that a featured post won't be read by many users any more than the sidebar is. People go blind to it because they are in a hurry to post in their own way. Featured posts may interest the admins but it takes some dedication to update them regularly and even more dedication for users to check them out regularly.

It would be helpful if there was an @helpdesk that we could ask questions. It's often hard for users to know who to ask for help. I always ask on Discord if I need help but not everyone is registered on Discord.

Thank again for this helpful post.
@michaeljn(68)· 2700d
@steemitblog Thank you for the updates on the new system, really appreciate the work you continuously do to improve @steemit.

Just one more thing, why have the 2 platforms open in new windows? you should be able to go between the 2 in the same window, that way even though you are switching between platforms it seems as though it is one and the same site? so when you click wallet or blog the link is set to _self instead of _blank

I know I and others brought this point up before already. I just think that would just make it less clunky and probably less confusing.

The main problem with opening in new windows comes in when you viewing someone else's blog and you click their wallet you now end up with multiple windows open.
@theguruasia(69)· 2700d
@steemitblog, Yeah now when we click on Wallet it goes to a new tab! Last time it wasn't and that was the problem for me! Now everything just fine and work smoothly! That's enough, and now feel more secure than before too! Thank you for the update!

Cheers~
@bluengel(71)· 2700d
including navigation User Friendly easier to use is most important ! :) ♥♩♬

Posted using Partiko Android
@prathamvkothari(47)· 2700d
Integrate BTC & ETH wallet to steemitwallet and also can be add more wallets to steemit wallets.
@drutter(73)· 2700d
Could you remove the "Important Changes to Steemit.com and Wallet, click here." message, which appears at the top of EVERY Steemit page, even though it's a 3-day-old announcement, and even when users click the "x" to get rid of it??
@bitcoinflood(80)· 2700d
Good work gals and guys glad to see acting being taken on feedback which is like your QA team really lol Keep up the good work and thank you for all that you are doing.
@minismallholding(75)· 2700d
I'm on a mobile device and the wallet opened in a separate tab for me, so no issues with getting stuck on it. However, every time I did anything I got logged out after. Did a power up, had to log back in to do a transfer. This is tedious if I want to make several transfers which. Perhaps it was because it would get stuck on something, them I'd go back or refresh because processing was taking so long.

Posted using Partiko Android
@maxblaschke(62)· 2700d
LMAO, buddy, YOU don't have enough information. This isn't a good idea, we are complaining thusly. Lmao, a communication error? That's so funny. Why don't you do something useful like list delegatees on the wallet page and add an SP delegate form. Maybe bring back SBD conversion so we don't have to do it manually? How about we ADD tools that are necessary to really use STEEM and remove obstacles that make it more difficult for people to understand how STEEM works. This beautiful bird has big wings. But she can only spread them if they aren't being chained down by a bog of unneccessary division. I speak of course on the division of the Steemit website into two, the poor decision of the Steemit team, and the division between a group of people who clearly don't listen to the public and the public at large. You forget the existence of @partiko among other blockchain explorers. You have competition.
@drsensor(63)· 2701d
First time I read this post I thought the wallet is embeddable. Seems I'm wrong 😞
@metametheus(66)· 2701d
Maybe the issue isn's so much that you're not communicating, but that others aren't paying attention....?

Just a thought. I don't use Steemit frontend. I'm involved with many communitites and engage... I it was very clear what was happening, why, and how it would work. I think y'all are doing a great job!
@chesatochi(73)· 2701d
We always learn and you guys improve and adapt, great job. :)

Posted using Partiko Android
@elipowell(60)· 2701d
Great post @andrarchy!
@ivanstrength(58)· 2701d
I think using wallet.steemit.com would have been a much better idea than using steemitwallet.com. Can't you separate out the subdomain the same way as a top level domain with the servers and security??
@roleerob(71)· 2701d
Thanks for the timing of getting this out @andrarchy. I was trying to help counter a bit of the ... uhhh ... "aggravation " caused by this change, by pointing out it had been communicated, but I suppose there can never be too much communication.

Or, probably more to the point, more communication in "every man" language that crosses both language and cultural barriers. "Piece of cake" right? Not asking too much right? 😉

Seriously, I for one appreciate all that is going on currently to make the Steem blockchain better in the future. Keep up the good work!
@pouchon(78)· 2701d
Brave browser helps a lot. I tried it and worked great. Separation is good but seamless will be great.

Posted using Partiko iOS
@dunsky(70)· 2701d
Usually I never do that but I almost hate that new update separation for wallet from Steemit. It's super unhandy. Maybe you can create at least something like oldsteemit com for retrousers where we will have our features back working together in one place?
@freebornangel(72)· 2701d
Now if this magic carpet could take us back three years,...
@fingolfin(63)· 2701d
My issues seem to be the same as everyone else. When I click on my wallet it opens in a new tab (which is handy) but when I click on someone elses wallet I am redirected to their steemit wallet page and stuck there. The back arrow doesn't take you back and there are no links back to steemit.

Once I find my way back to steemit I have to log in again because as others have mentioned, despite having 'keep me logged in' checked, I must enter my information again. To be fair this is something that has always annoyed me, while logged in if I click to open a steemit link in a new tab I must log in on that tab as well.
@uyobong(78)· 2701d
I really love it that you are taking time to communicate effectively. Though I am not personally having issues with the updates and changes on password usage, I know some users do. This post is quite informative.

I am glad that you prioritize user's security information which is amajor reason behind the changes.

Thanks Steemit Inc.
@steevc(80)· 2701d
Definitely need an obvious link back to Steemit. You could have used the banner that is showing after the change to notify people that this was coming. I think the wallet page needs some extra text front and centre to say that it is actually part of Steemit and what the impact is. That could be via linking to a relevant post.

I can see why you made the change, but it has to make the transition easy for any user, regardless of technical ability or native language. Multi-lingual should be on the road-map.

I see this does not mention ads. That's a whole other can of worms :)

I just noticed some other issues with the wallet. When I did a transfer the popup did not close even though the transfer completed. Now I have lost the menus for transfer etc. The latter was because it logged me out :( I'm using Chrome on Linux.
@stackin(78)· 2701d
Just be like Justin Sun and have 5-6 updates a day 🤣

Posted using Partiko iOS
@bluerobo(70)· 2701d
You are getting better at communicating. I felt informed about the changes. You are fighting a legacy of bad communication. It will take some time to gain trust. Just keep moving in the right direction.

Posted using Partiko Android
@ericburgoyne(65)· 2701d
Making it easier to get back and forth will be great.

Making a less complicated posts for us non technical types would be great!! Thank you.

Posted using Partiko iOS
@prydefoltz(75)· 2701d
Personally I had very little problem with the change. I am wondering why however we must redeem payouts. Why not just add it to our totals. This would mean fewer visits to our wallets.
@gadrian(76)· 2701d
I'm sure everyone knows the various payment solutions which can be integrated in different websites then, when payment is done, return to the original website.

I wonder if in the future something similar can be done with Steemitwallet.com...
@oldtimer(76)· 2701d
Slow and steady progress is a good way to go in my opinion.

But some people want immediate and precise solutions and don't understand what effort you put into this project.

Safety in the most important thing.

But at the same time, they are careless and too lazy to even save their keys.
@mindtrap(75)· 2701d
Hey @steemitblog, wouldn't keychain solve all these wallet problems?

Many users still use their master passwords...
@donkeypong(76)· 2701d
"Stuck in steemitwallet" --> The wallet site needs a big button or menu that routes people back to Steemit.com. It's a one-way, dead end street at the moment for anyone who wants to use Steemit. I don't even think you need to keep the Steemitwallet site branded or separated as it is (which is just confusing to most users); just let people believe they are on Steemit and move seemlessly back and forth using buttons/links, even if the actual domains are separate.
@bryan-imhoff(69)· 2701d
I don’t mind the separation, I’ve already gotten into the habit of just keeping the wallet open in a separate tab. The two UI bits I’ve noticed that bug me are... (note: someone may have already mentioned these, and this is experienced on iOS Safari for me...)
1. After successfully logging in, I remain on the login screen. The only indication that the login was successful is my avatar appearing in the top nav, where I have to go manually click to the actual wallet page. A successful login should auto redirect to this.
2. There is a “keep me logged in checkbox” that seemingly does nothing. I’d prefer it to work with reauthentications every 30 days maybe... but right now I’m needing to log in every time. Could use a fix or total removal if you want to get extra secure by requiring login every time. But I feel comfortable with it working on devices that are already locked/protected.
@deniskj(67)· 2701d
That additional tab on Steemit Wallet would be quite helpful. Even pressing back on the browser does not take you back to Steemit.com. You are simply stuck on the wallet.