When the Contribute entry point (T322740) is available, it replaces the "Contributions" option with the "Contribute" one. While "Contributions" was linking to the list of previous contributions (example), the new "Contribute" option links to a menu with the options to start a new contribution (example). Switching between those pages is supported by two tabs at the top of the page ("Contribute" and "View contributions" options). In this way users have access to both review and start their contributions.
As a result, users no longer have a direct access to their contributions and one more step is required for them to reach their contributions. As the new entry point is available we want to observe and hear about how convenient is to direct users by default to the "Contribute" option. Some pieces of feedback have hinted at this as an issue:
I understand that you want to provide a quick link to new users for ways to contribute, but there should be a way to do so without making experienced users' lives harder.
Based on that we can consider some alternatives (feel free to suggest more):
A. Make view contributions the default (except when there are no contributions to list)
The idea is to change the default to "View contributions" for most users, with the only exception of users with 0 edits, who will get the "Contribute" option a the default:
- For users with previous contributions (edit count > 0), show the "Contributions" option in the menu, linking to the list of their previous contributions (Contributions page).
- For users with no previous contributions (edit count = 0), show the option to "Contribute" in the menu, linking to the options to create a new contribution (Contribute page).
In both cases, the tabs will still be available on top to switch anytime between the "Contribute" and "View contributions" options.
B. Expose both options
Another option could be to provide direct access for both "Contributions" (linking to the Contributions page) and "New contribution" (linking to the Contribute page). Although we may want to keep the navigation menus minimal, the new option will be already replacing other individual entry points, so it will still represent an improvement in organizing the menu items.
We should consider adding the two options only if both are frequently needed.
C. Remember the last option selected
The idea is to remember which tab the user accessed the last time to open that one. For example, a user that switches to the "View contributions" tab, will access that tab the next time they tap on the menu. In this way, users that are frequently using one of the tabs will always access directly to it.
This approach requires to define an initial default. The initial default could be the the "Contributions" tab showing the list of their previous contributions. We can consider to make an exception when the list of contributions is empty (like in the approach A above) or not.