Make it easier to start a conversation

[DamnedElric]

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Feature request

Which Nextcloud Version are you currently using: Nextcloud 30.0.1, Talk v20.0.1

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.

Starting a new conversation using the webapp is a pain. Particularly 1-on-1 conversations.

1. Open Talk
2. Click on a tiny and unclear icon (textbubble with a +) which doesn't have a tooltip
3. Click "Create a new conversation"
4. Give it a name??? Why?
5. Decide on other things which are irrelevant most of the time when I start new conversations (guest access, password protection, showing conversations in search results)
6. Decide on "Create Conversation" vs "Add participants"
7. Once in the conversation, it is entirely unclear how to add (more) participants: there is a sidebar on the right which is hidden by default, adding participants involves searching through the list of current participants, and clicking an Add option which appears if they are not already in the list.

This entire process is very convoluted

Describe the solution you'd like

Starting a conversation should be far simpler.

1. At the very least, the "new conversation" button should be more prominent and should have a tooltip
2. It should be possible to start a conversation with another user in a single step: click a "new conversation" button and "select participant".

There is too much faff. Sensible defaults should be used instead.

Describe alternatives you've considered

I've considered switching back to Mattermost :-)

Additional context

Honestly, the entire Talk app feels clunky from a UX point of view. It is unwieldy for simple chats, having to name conversations is really weird. It's fine for scheduled meetings with lots of participants. But when it comes to a simple chat or a simple call, it's a big pain.

[Antreesy]

Hi! Thanks for your feedback!

Starting a new conversation using the webapp is a pain. Particularly 1-on-1 conversations

Did you try to start typing in the search bar? Apart from filtering joined conversations, it shows public and open chats, but also other users you can start a 1-1 chat with in 1 click. There is also a shortcut in Contacts menu for 1-1 chats:

Decide on other things which are irrelevant most of the time

We find the current creation fitting most common cases, where name is a only required minimum for creating a chat (to be able to identify it in the list). There is also a shortcut via the search bar:

"new conversation" button should be more prominent and should have a tooltip click a "new conversation" button and "select participant". Once in the conversation, it is entirely unclear how to add (more) participants

That has some room to improve. Maybe a placeholder should be more prominent, that you are able to search for users and start direct chats?

Sensible defaults should be used instead

What is your usual workflow? How are you trying to organize your chats and meetings? What are examples of a good creation process you might suggest to look at?