Collecting feedback on Snowflake landing page content and related guides

Opening up this post to gather community feedback on the content that has to do with Snowflake, specifically content on the following websites:

The goal is to make sure that all audiences (both users and runners of Snowflake proxies) are understanding Snowflake and dispel as many misconceptions as possible.

Noting that a lot of feedback has already been gathered in various locations:

On the forum:

On GitLab:

For now there’s no main source for feedback collection, folks may continue discussions on above linked forum posts and GitLab tickets.

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+1 suggestion:

As stated here it will be useful to explain how to install the standalone versions with more details and informations, maybe to show common errors encountered during installation and how to bypass them, or how to setup/configure go in order to be able to install snowflake.

Hello @raya I would love to collaborate on the landing page revamp. May you tell me what all resources I should look at before getting started.

Hello there! Will send you a direct message right away!

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The use of Snowflake for the first time can raise some common questions for anyone. Adding a FAQ section on the Snowflake landing page would assist users in gaining a better understanding of Snowflake. This section could cover frequently asked questions like:
Is it safe to use Snowflake?
How do I know if Snowflake is working?
Can I use Snowflake on mobile devices?

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@chakravartiavinit That’s a good idea! I’ll send you a DM right away to let you know more about participation details :pray:

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I found it little bit difficult in understanding from where to access the Snowflake. In the ‘Use Snowflake to bypass censorship’ section of the Snowflake Landing Page, we can add instructions on how and where to enable Snowflake on the Tor, Onion, and Orbot browsers.

That’s a good idea actually! Thanks for sharing.

Hello Everyone

Upon reviewing the existing Snowflake landing page, I have identified two crucial aspects that should be given consideration.

Optimize for mobile devices: The current website is not optimized for mobile devices, which can make it difficult to navigate and understand on smaller screens. Consider redesigning the website with a responsive layout that adapts to different screen sizes. Ensure that images and text are easily readable on mobile devices, as well as other devices such as tablets and laptops.

Use simpler language: The language on the current website can be too technical and difficult for non-experts to understand. Consider using simpler, more descriptive language to explain what Snowflake does and how it works. Avoid using jargon and technical terms, and instead, focus on explaining Snowflake’s features and benefits in a way that is easy to understand.

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After reviewing the current landing page design on https://snowflake.torproject.org/, here are some suggestions for making it more user-centered:

Clear messaging: The messaging on the landing page could be clearer and more concise. It’s important to communicate the benefits of using Snowflake, such as its ability to help users access censored websites, in a way that is easy to understand.

Simplified navigation: The navigation on the landing page could be simplified and made more intuitive. Users should be able to quickly find the information they need, such as instructions on how to use Snowflake, without having to search through multiple pages. For example, We can have different titles in the navbar to navigate to a different section.

Strong visuals: The landing page could benefit from the use of strong visuals to communicate the key message. This could include images or videos that illustrate the benefits of using Snowflake.

Responsiveness: The landing page should be designed to work well on all devices, including mobile phones and tablets because not everyone will be using large screen. This can be achieved by optimizing the layout and design for smaller screens.

Calls-to-action: The landing page should include clear calls-to-action that encourage users to take action, such as downloading and using Snowflake. For example, in the current website the Edge extensions takes the user to download Chrome extension.

User testing: The landing page should be tested with users to ensure that it is meeting their needs and expectations. This can include user testing sessions, surveys, and other feedback mechanisms to gather insights and improve the design.

Social proof and trust indicators: The landing page could benefit from social proof and trust indicators, such as user testimonials or security badges, to help users feel more confident in using Snowflake.

Clear value proposition: The landing page should clearly communicate Snowflake’s value proposition and how it is different from other solutions for accessing censored websites. This can help users understand why Snowflake is a valuable tool to have.

Speed and performance: The landing page should be optimized for speed and performance to ensure a fast and seamless user experience. This can include minimizing the use of large images or videos that may slow down the page

Clear and concise instructions for installation: The steps to install Snowflake should be clear and easy to understand, even for users who are not tech-savvy. The instructions should be concise and written in plain language, avoiding technical terms as much as possible. The installation instructions can be broken down into step-by-step instructions, making it easier for users to follow along.

User feedback mechanisms: The landing page should include user feedback mechanisms, such as a contact form or live chat support, that allow users to provide feedback or ask questions.

FAQ: Look at customer support inquiries, social media comments, and other feedback channels to identify common questions that users have. Use this information to create a list of frequently asked questions.

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Hello @raya sir, I would love to collobrate on the Snowflake landing page revamp under GSOC’23 .

Ques 1 : Why i am interested in this GSoC project?
Ans : This program provides me a platform for enhancing my knowledge related to Technology by working with industrial specialists and like-minded people. The main thing that motivates me to work with Google Summer of Code is that people from different countries learn and collaborate to solve real-world problems. In the community, other people from different backgrounds know and collaborate. It lets people add value to their carrier, and even designer get the taste of writing clean and good code.
The concept of collaborative learning is applied here successfully. Since childhood, I have been quite fascinated by programming and designing since I got my first computer, then running the computer and writing the first code was life-changing for me.

Ques : Demonstrate relevant skillset for the project.
Ans : I am Bhawna, a current Bachelor’s in Computer Science student and a proficient developer and designer. In addition to my technical skills, I also have experience in Frontend Development and UI/UX. I am also the Founder and Lead Organizer of SheBuilds, a community-focused organization. I am thrilled to share that I have been selected for the MLH fellowship, GSOC’22 with RadarBase organization and LFX’23 with Harbor Organization, which was an exciting opportunity for me to expand my skill set.

Participating in over 40+ hackathons, I have had the privilege of winning over 20+ of them. My passion for engaging with various communities and events has led me to speak in five or more seminars and events related to hackathons,UI/UX and open source. I believe in continuous learning and sharing knowledge with others, and I look forward to bringing these experiences to my upcoming endeavors.I am pretty experienced in Adobe Illustrator, which helps me develop UI and mockups for websites and apps.

Ques : Some ideas i have for the project?
Ans : I have lot’s of good ideas for this project that will add value to the project as well. Some of them are -

  • Adding the FAQ section in landing page. So this this give some common assitant to the user of sNOWFLAKE Project who is using it for the first time.

  • Adding the two themes on the website i.e, light and dark mode. So that user can use it in whatever theme they like the most.

  • Making the UI Responsive for all devices from Website to phone view.

Have more ideas as well. Creates the short Figma design for the same as well. Would love to show it to you @raya sir.

Thanks & Regards
Bhawna

Hi @raya , Since last three days I was busy with exploring all the tickets on Gitlab related to Snowflake Landing Page that you mentioned here and writing my proposal. I had one question, should I open issues for all my suggestions regarding the change in current website and mention it in my proposal?

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Thank you for your interest and investment in this project! All is required is a proposal for now, please don’t open issues/tickets our team is overloaded and we don’t want to exhaust everyone’s bandwidth. For now a proposal via email will suffice :slight_smile: :pray:

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Hi @raya, can you please share the email where we have to send the proposal. The email is not mentioned on this page. Also Do I have to send PDF format or Google Doc link will work.
Thank you.

Hello there, the email is shared here on line 57 :slight_smile: :pray:

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Thank you @raya, I actually checked that line previously but was confused if ‘raya (at) torproject.org
meant ‘raya@torprojects.org’ or something else. But now it’s clear. Kindly check the proposal I have sent you at above email and guide me to make it better. Thank you :smile:

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Hello, @raya

I’m interested to collaborate with you guys for the project Snowflake landing page revamp for GSoC 2023. I did some research and I think I’ve great ideas, but I’m a little bit confused about where should I start.

May you please help me as I’m a beginner? It would be beneficial to me.

@Amit, hello! Please do have a look at this pad: https://pad.riseup.net/p/gsoc-snowflake-2023
There’s a lot of information about what the expectations from the proposal are, where to start and how to contact the mentors and get feedback for your proposal. Good luck!

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@championquizzer Thanks

I have already sent an email to @raya with the subject line **Snowflake landing page revamp for GSoC 2023** detailing:

  • Why you’re interested in this GSoC project.
  • Why you’re interested in contributing to The Tor Project more broadly.
  • Demonstrate skillset for the project.
  • Some ideas you might have for the project.
  • How you believe you can become an active contributor to The Tor Project post-GSoC.

But I didn’t get any response/feedback.
I just want to know from where should I start working on the project.