What evaluation strategies have been used to measure the usefulness of the system?

These are just a few of the questions to which I will provide some answers in this issue.

User Evaluation
Evaluating the system that has been finally implemented was carried out mainly from a users point of view. These 'users', as they have been classified, have been divided into the intended audience and users of the site, stakeholders and staff of the client Company.

Intended Users
For the purpose of evaluating the site from the point of view of the intended users, who happen to be older people, I was introduced to a cheerful lady by the name of Elisabeth. Elisabeth was very useful to helping me evaluate the website and what had been implemented, and as an older person herself, her point of view as to how to make the site more accessible to older people gave even more revelation into how I could improve the content of the site.

When I met with her, I gave her my view of the user interface of the site and I explained every aspect of why the interface had been implemented in such a fashion stating the fact I had always taken into consideration the usability of the site by the intended audience, that is older people.

She seemed rather satisfied with most aspects that she was viewing such as background color, the attempt that was made at easing navigation, and access within the site, and even the font size that was used. While pointing out these factors to Elisabeth, I encouraged her to make comments as she felt necessary (which happened to be often) and whenever she did that, I made sure to note down the comment she was making.

She made several comments about the site and how I could increase functionality toward making the site even more accessible to older the users. Some suggestions made by Elisabeth include:

- The ability to be able to increase or decrease the font size by clicking on the screen

- Providing instructions on how to use the keyboard to manipulate the pages for users who might find using the mouse difficult

- 'Back to the top' buttons on pages that required alot of scrolling down

- An optional print out page for users

- An 'encourage' button for older people that would encourage to be confident to use the site

These are just some of the suggestions that were made by Elisabeth among many. All suggestions made by her were taken into consideration, but only those that seemed feasible within the specified time frame were implemented.

Stakeholders
For the purpose of evaluating the site from the stakeholders point of view (the client), I had to have the final website up, running and uploaded to the web server (Internet). Some major concerns of the client included the wording used in the website. They were concerned that the wording be precise accurate and met the needs of the topics being discussed.

Another concern of the client's was the method implemented in the page on how users can make online donations including Cheque/cash donations and payroll giving; they were concerned that they met required regulations.

However, when the finished website was presented to the client, they were very pleased with the work that had been done and felt the site that had been completed met most of the stated objectives.