In a UX-focused discussion, Tris20 proposes adding an edit button next to the user profile picture on the Profile Summary page to simplify profile picture uploads—especially for non-technical users who may overlook the Preferences section. They share screenshots comparing the current layout with their proposed design. Lilly supports the idea, noting its usefulness on mobile where the Preferences cog icon is less intuitive, and references @Don’s compose center component as a precedent for accessible settings. Tris20 attempted to implement a similar solution but encountered theme compatibility issues. They also suggest reordering the profile menu to place Preferences higher, since many users—including themselves—rarely notice it despite its utility. The goal is not to increase usage frequency, but to improve discoverability for a broad user base, particularly those less familiar with technical interfaces.
I’m mostly thinking about the Profile → Summary page here.
Reasoning: We had a user without a technical background who wanted to upload a profile picture. They clicked their profile, went to the user icon which takes them to the summary page. They did not proceed to preferences - presumably because there is already so much information on the summary page that preferences was not immediately obvious.
I’m wondering if it makes sense to add a small edit button next to the profile information on that page? Not a high priority change, wouldn’t impact many users, but might be a nice touch to make it easier for users with less of a technical background.
I like this idea, especially for mobile view where the preferences button is a cog icon (and even less obvious to the non-tech inclined). @Don actually has this convenient functionality on his compose centre component (which I really like) and I’ve used it many times on my forum (since it basically makes those settings accessible from anywhere).
I gave this a go but unfortunately it isn’t compatible with out existing themes - I got a weird recursion somehow
I’m also wondering if it makes sense to put preferences at the top of the profile menu? I’ve opened this view dozens of times, and never read anything except Summary, Activity, Pause notifications and logout. Until today I didn’t know Preferences was in this menu, so my usual flow is profile → summary → preferences which feels silly given that preferences is in the same menu.
Maybe it’s just me, but I do wonder if it makes sense to push preferences or at least some way of editing profile into greater prominence - not because the functionality is used often, but rather because it used by many(including less technicalically literate users).
which takes them to the summary page. They did not proceed to preferences - presumably because there is already so much information on the summary page that preferences was not immediately obvious.
