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Comment by larsiusprime | Hacker News Reader

While I appreciate all the downvotes and "get with the times" comments, a significant portion of the population does not have a smartphone, assuming everyone has a smartphone or will instantly know what to do when presented with official instructions that only mention smartphones/tablets seems like a bit of a security oversight on Slack's part, no?

Those pointing out PC-enabled authentication apps: thanks. That's USEFUL feedback!

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The vast majority of the population that comprises Slack customers will have a smartphone.

And only focusing on the "vast majority" is a GREAT security solution. There is some significant, non-zero number of people who use Slack and do not own a smart device. I am one of them. (reasons for choosing not to own a smart device are many and I will not go into them here)

I'm not trying to rake them over the coals, just point out this is a very real blind-spot and they should promptly update the notice with instructions for people who don't have smart-phones.

Can you expand just enough on the reasons for not owning a smartphone, so we can give constructive advice? I don't want to suggest things like "buy a Yubikey" or "buy a tablet or iPod Touch with no cell radio" if you're objecting to buying new things, for instance.

I think it's hard to give generic advice about this situation.

Smartphone - 58% of all US adults

source - http://www.pewinternet.org/data-trend/mobile/cell-phone-and-...

It's totally fine to use web based otp generator. Don't listen to others, you don't need a smartphone.

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