Revamped Services Web site goes operational Published May 29, 2008 By Senior Airman Stacy Sanchez 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 95th Force Support Squadron recently launched a new version of the Edwards Services Web site after completing a site redesign. The Edwards Services Web site is an online resource to provide listings of local activities and events to the community. "Sometimes there are military spouses who don't get all the information they need from a newcomer's briefing," said Deborah Arnold, 95th FSS corporate sponsorship specialist. "We also have some people who are interested in the programs we offer who are not necessarily living on base." The Web site includes links to several organizations such as the Aero Club, Arts and Crafts Center and the Auto Hobby shop. These links provide hours of operation , special events and give brief background information about the organization. Users who visit the site can also subscribe to have weekly updates sent to them. "We also have links to the different restaurants on base," said Terry Stegman, 95th FSS marketing director. "If you don't feel like eating at a certain place that day, you can go online and check out the specials of another restaurant. It is that easy now with this Web site." In the past, to inform people about upcoming events, Ms. Stegman said they relied on the Sabre magazine and promotional materials posted around the base. "If we need to make any changes to a certain event, anything we had written on a poster or in a magazine would be useless," Ms. Stegman said. "People would be getting the wrong information. With the Web site, we can easily make the change to ensure that people are getting the right information." The Services Web site was originally built about four years ago, but with new software upgrades, the Web site couldn't easily withstand the many changes. "Instead of trying to rebuild the old Web site, we decided it would be best to start it back up from scratch," Ms. Arnold said. "For the new Web site, I had to find out what was necessary for a Services site and what was needed for the Edwards community." In building the Web site, Ms. Arnold said it was important to look at the site through the user's standpoint. "If someone wanted to find information about Edwards activities, they could easily see what the base had to offer with a click of the button," Ms. Arnold said. A comments section is also available for users to submit suggestions or questions. "I love getting the comments and questions from people," Ms. Arnold said. "I enjoy getting the immediate feedback from the user. From all the good responses we have been seeing, we have noticed that there are quite a few people visiting the Web site now." Ms. Stegman said she would like to see an increase use of the Web site, because it is the best location to get the most current information available. "I know there was a bit of frustration when the site had crashed because people would go to the site, and they could never get to it," Ms. Stegman said. "We had comments from people asking what had happened and it is hard to tell everyone that the Web site was down. We just want people to know that it is up again, better than ever." Hopefully through the new Web site people can see various programs that Services offers for the Edwards community, Ms. Arnold said. "We want this place to be a family-friendly place," she said. "We want to give people things to do while they are stationed here, and we want them to know that they are part of the community." For information about Services, visit their Web site at www.edwardsservices.com.