Collecting minimal user information

Web applications are in constant competition for a user’s attention. Unlike shrink-wrap software, there’s often no captive audience, and web apps must gently guide and woo users to help them to the best experience of the software.This is particularly true when considering the problem of collecting personal details from a user. Collect too little information, and your app might not be able to function effectively. Collect too much information, and you raise the barrier for participation with your application. Users may either not be bothered, be alarmed at the apparent intrusion into their privacy, or fill out bogus information…