[__david__]

> But from a UX standpoint its a nonstarter

Disagree. The UX would be pretty similar. Click a mailto link which opens the email client with to, subject and body precomposed. Click send. Server receives mail and the web page continues/finishes the sign up process. No need for an email reply. It’s different, but it’s not crazy.

[habinero]

Ok, and a lot of -- maybe most -- people won't have their mailto handler set up correctly. I don't even know if I do on my current laptop and I have email old enough to vote

Mailto links are not that common these days.

[williamdclt]

> It’s different

Ignoring the fact that mailto won't work for most people (it opens my Mail app which i never used), "different" is enough to make your conversion rate tank. It'd be unreasonable for anyone in charge of making product decision to go with that