Assessing User Perceptions and Behavioural Impacts of the ShareNest Platform on Sustainable Waste Management

To provide the most accurate and meaningful feedback on the design and functionality of ShareNest, please take a few minutes to explore the website. Familiarise yourself with its features, navigate through various pages, and engage with the overall user experience. You can keep the website open in a separate tab while completing the survey. Access the website here: ShareNest.

Getting Started:

To fully experience the features and evaluate the website’s functionality, you’ll need to access pages that are exclusive to registered users.

• Register an Account: For the best experience, register using your own details. This will give you access to all features and allow you to explore ShareNest as a genuine user. Make sure to use a valid email address, as a confirmation link will be sent to complete your registration. Check your junk or spam folder if you don't see the confirmation email in your inbox.
• Demo Accounts Available: If you prefer not to register your own details, you can log in using one of the demo accounts below:
• Username: test_user | Password: Akela1984@
• Username: test_user_2 | Password: Akela1984@

Tasks to Complete:

To gain a comprehensive understanding of ShareNest’s design and functionality, please complete the following tasks:

• Register and Log In: Create your own account or use the demo account to log in.
• Join the Edinburgh Group: Navigate to the group section and join the Edinburgh location, which contains demo listings.
• Search for a Specific Item: Use the search feature to look for a specific item, such as a table. There are multiple demo listings related to tables to explore.
• Send a Message: Contact a user by sending a message to one of the listings. This will help you experience the communication feature firsthand.

Additional Features to Explore (Optional):

• Create a Listing: List an item you no longer need to see how easy it is to add content.
• Edit Your Profile: Update your profile details and preferences.
• Request an Item: Use the messaging feature to request an item from another user.
• Report a Listing: Try out the reporting feature if you find any inappropriate or suspicious content.
• Delete Your Profile: Test the account deletion process if you decide you no longer want to keep your account.

Important: Exploring these features will help you understand the platform’s functionality, enabling you to provide detailed and insightful feedback in the survey. If you run into any issues during registration or while using the site, please contact me for assistance.

Search Functionality: The search bar is located on the "My Nest" page. As you type into the search bar, the system dynamically displays the top 5 listings that match your keywords under the heading "Top findings for you." Clicking on any of these suggestions will take you directly to the corresponding listing. To view all listings related to your search query, simply press the "Enter" key.

Listings: You can create a new listing by clicking the "Create Listing" button in the navigation bar. To manage your existing listings (edit or delete), go to the Dashboard page. You can access the Dashboard by either clicking the dashboard icon in the navigation bar or selecting the "Dashboard" link from the dropdown menu. On the Dashboard, you'll see a list of your listings, each with an "Edit" and "Delete" button. To view details of any listing on the "My Nest" page, simply click the "See Details" button associated with that listing.

Map Functionality: When viewing the details of a listing on the "My Nest" page, you will see an integrated map displaying the approximate location of the listed item. This feature enhances the usability of the platform by allowing users to quickly assess the proximity of items. Please note that the map will only be visible if the user who created the listing has specified their postcode in their user profile. To view the map, simply click the "See Details" button associated with the listing.

Messaging System: You can access the messaging system by clicking on the envelope icon in the navbar or by selecting "My Messages" from the dropdown menu. On the "My Messages" page, conversations are sorted with the newest messages at the top. A red dot with a number on the envelope icon indicates how many new conversations you have.

Clicking "View Conversation" on the "My Messages" page opens a popup displaying the full conversation between the two users. For the user who owns the listing, buttons like "Share My Address," "Mark as Pending Collection," and "Mark as Available Again" are provided within the conversation.

Points-Based Reward System: Users earn Green Points for each "Wanted" or "Offered" listing they create (1 point per listing). In the future, these points can be redeemed for vouchers or gift cards. Your current Green Point balance is displayed in the navbar next to a green leaf icon.