Ultimately I think will end up falling in the site’s theme to handle it, with a (hopefully) sensibly default in the default/sample theme.

My thoughts on designing this: a single checkbox (subscribe to newsletter/email updates/whatever with something to toggle the available subscriptions available, which would override the default. “Check this for all, or click here to subscribe to specific sections of the site”.

Usability is something that is going to be really important in Courant, but it’s going to take work & input from people. So I think we’ll (even if “we” is mostly Max) continue posting screenshots, thoughts, etc to hear what people have to say.

I like the idea about allowing people a lot of flexibility as to how they subscribe (to certain topics, authors, etc.). I think that a lot more people might actually subscribe to things if they could customize it so heavily.

I mean, a huge form with checkboxes for sections and selection boxes for authors and such might work but I’d probably make some UI mockups before going along with implementing it. As you mentioned, people signing up for email subscriptions would be less technically competent.

Also, make sure you have some sensible defaults when you have that many selections. Sometimes people just want to sign up for the newsletter and be done with it.

One other thing you should do is have some room for exploration. What if there’s no content for that user that day? Do you just not send anything? Or do you send an email with something like “No matching content for your criteria?”. Or maybe you should send them stuff they *might* be interested in.

I think it’s good that you are seeking feedback for Courant. this early in the process though.