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LBSC690 Interview. Meaghan McKeron. Background. Interviewee : Ponmozhi Thirunathan – Software Developer at Daedalus Books and Music, Inc. Information Setting : Retail company selling remaindered books, music, and DVDs Technology : “The Forum”
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LBSC690 Interview Meaghan McKeron
Background • Interviewee: PonmozhiThirunathan – Software Developer at Daedalus Books and Music, Inc. • Information Setting: Retail company selling remaindered books, music, and DVDs • Technology: “The Forum” • An area for discussion on new and interesting topics in the books/music/television/movies realm • A sort of conglomeration of different social media types – blog, content community, social networking
Interview • What is The Forum, or more specifically, what does Daedalus hope it will be? • “An area to promote discussion and offer more in-depth information about the latest hot topics that appeal to our customers.” • Every four months (3 times a year) – new discussion topic • First topic: Downton Abbey
Interview • What is The Forum, or more specifically, what does Daedalus hope it will be? • Right now, it is in it’s early stages – still a lot to develop: “Definitely a work in progress” • No actual discussion board up yet • Content from Daedalus only • Need to get it running smoothly before transitioning to author interviews and features
Interview • What is The Forum, or more specifically, what does Daedalus hope it will be? • Main goal: create an interactive, informative space that will appeal to customers of all ages/interests • Hope it will become more interactive • Author interviews – video or audio • Features on new books/movies/music, with author interviews • Allow customer input and interaction with Daedalus and featured authors/artists
Interview • Why create The Forum? • Drive more customers to the company website • More people interested in discussion topic more likely to buy products more $$ • Create more interaction between customers and the company understand customer interests • Attract the younger crowd • Physical books and CDs aren’t as coveted as they used to be; must sure up customers for the future • “But everyone’s got iPads these days, so it will appeal to our older customers as well.”
Interview • Who was involved in the process of creating The Forum? • Interaction between many departments: • Graphics • IT (Poni) • Social Media • Outside source creates website
Interview • How was The Forum developed and what was your particular role? • Classic ASB software • “Besides accessibility and ease of use, Classic ASP has a lot more going for it. Classic ASP integrates seamlessly with the latest Web 2.0 technologies like css, AJAX, JQuery, XML, and the new HTML 5.” (PRWeb.com) • An outside source uses this software to create the actual site that customers see
Interview • How was The Forum developed and what was your particular role? • Poni’s role: she is the “middleman” between the outsiders and the content that needs to be put onto The Forum • Three Layers: • Front: The Forum • Middle: business (Poni) • Back: data
Interview • Any problems/obstacles? • Design: outside source wasn’t working up to par • A lot of waiting on back-and-forth of content • Have to get the word out • Don’t have a very large tech-savvy customer base • Right now it is a work in progress, still working out kinks • Hope that once the word is out, it will gain steam
Results • The “Downton Abbey” forum lasted throughout the airing of the 3rd season (early January to late February) • Solely videos and articles, no discussion yet. • Pretty basic layout – after hearing there was some disconnect between Daedalus and the outside website developer, I could see the effects on The Forum • The effects on business and driving customers to the site remains to be seen • As of this week, The Forum is no longer featured on the website
Link to The Forum • http://daedalusbooks.com/products/Special/Forum1/ForumHome.asp?ForumID=1 • As of now, not featured on the site because it is not yet a “forum” • Want to create it into what it is supposed to be before featuring it on the site again • The “Downton Abbey” forum was a test run