Do the States want my online feedback or not?
WHY does the States of Guernsey website feedback system make it so difficult to send feedback? I have used validation boxes on numerous websites but never one where it is simply impossible to read the text presented and even if you think you can read it the system doesn't accept it. I have tried at least 20 times and only succeeded once. It is as if the States of Guernsey want to say they welcome feedback but in reality make it so difficult for their users to give it that it is practically impossible.
I work with computers all day, every day and can't do it so I have no idea how my 80-plus mother would possibly be able to. After something like 10 attempts it offered a sound test instead, which was even more ridiculous. To say that it was supposed to be the voices of two people is simply a joke.
For a government site trying to listen to the people who fund it, I am amazed how poorly it works and how difficult it is to give feedback.
The search facility on gov.gg hardly ever returns any results, let alone useful ones, even for links that are present on the site (try 'unfair dismissal' as an example, which is on the page Living and working/jobs and working/minimum wage) and includes a message that 'As a result of your feedback, we've changed the search so it only searches pages within the new site (to ensure you get the most up-to-date information)'. Then, when you do find the link you are looking for, the content it takes you to is on the old site anyway.
The original gov.gg site was OK but lacked content.
The 'improved' version of around 18 months ago was pretty poor but the 'new' gov.gg is truly the worst information website I think I have ever had the misfortune to need to use. What are we taxpayers paying for?
In vain hope of an improvement.
A. GUILLE,
Address withheld.
Editor's footnote: A spokesman for the Policy Council responds: 'Thank you for the opportunity to respond to your reader's letter. We genuinely welcome all feedback and in the case of the development of the new www.gov.gg website it has been, and continues to be, an important part of the process.
We are in the first stage of the redevelopment of www.gov.gg, and are using the feedback from our site users to make changes at every stage so that we deliver a site that is truly focused to meet the needs of islanders.
Validation is an important feature to keep the site secure and the system that we use currently is industry-standard. However, people's experiences will vary depending how they are accessing the website and we are aware that for some people the validation process is causing difficulty. We are currently researching ways to resolve this with a cost-effective alternative. In the meantime, we'd like to thank your reader for taking the time to get in touch.
Since launching the new www.gov.gg we have received very positive feedback on its style, content, accessibility and ease of use but we are always keen to improve. So we would welcome any comments and constructive criticism from this reader and anyone else either via the www.gov.gg feedback form or via email at enquiries@gov.gg.'
