Expert Evaluation of Current Site FIRA-TAROS 2012

Purpose of the site

The site has one purpose and that is:- 

To publicise an event

• What? – RoboWorld Cup, combined with a robotics conference called Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems” (TAROS),
• When? – August 2012
• Where? – Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL)
• Why? –             1. Encouraging more public interest in the event

2. Engage people of all ages, to find out more about robots and get excited about, and involved in science and robotics.

                       

• How much – What will the event cost to visit?
• Who? – Who are the roboticists at the BRL? 

Review of the site

Aim of the Evaluation

I will conduct a brief evaluation to find out the usability issues that the current site has and to the extent of the improvements (if any) are necessary.

The scope of the evaluation is limited to just one scenario of use, for one particular user attempting one specific task. 

Scenario

The Fira organisers want to “Engage people of all ages” so a typical scenario could be:-

Father (Steve) with his 13 year old disabled (wheelchair bound) son (Jack) wants a day out with his son during the school summer holidays that will be fun and educational and low cost.  They live in Fishponds, Bristol.

Will Steve be able get the basic information he needs to have a day out with his son?

Steve will need to

1. Find the FIRA site using Google and search terms
2. Find out what will happen at the event
3. Find out how much it is
4. Find out where it is
5. Find out it there is wheelchair access
6. Find out it he can park his car in a disabled space next to the event

The link below is to the evaluation itself. 

Usability Review of FIRA-TAROS 2012 Site. 

Conclusion

The FIRA-TAROS 2012 site is only going to be found by some one who is very determined and knows what to enter as a search term.

Once on the site it is either difficult or imposssible to find out the most basic information about attending a free, fun and educational event being held in Bristol

Recommendations

 1. FIRAS event organisers should think about the sort of search terms that would be used to find the website and add content to the site that uses these terms.

2. Fix broken links

3. Add content that gives more detail about the event.

4. Add location information to the timetable. Minimum should at least say the this part of the event is at the BRL, UWE, or Bristol University.

3. Provide basic information on Price, Access, and Parking.