Dmlis 540 Spring 2004 Information System Project mecca pop and Jazz Music For Family Learning and Enjoyment All Team members participated in the development of the spec Project Manager: Carolyn Karis Information Architect: Emily Wheeler

2.User Analysis

The Garner family lives in Eugene, Oregon. The annual household income is about $50,000. The two kids, Maggie, aged 10, and Ewan, 8, are home-schooled. Although the local public school has an emphasis on the arts and is predicated upon high involvement, input, and volunteer time from parents, the Garners have decided to home-school their children at least through the elementary grades. The Garners are a one-car family, and also do a lot of bike riding to get around town. Lou works as a General Manager for a bicycle-manufacturing cooperative in Eugene. This company and its manufacturing philosophy match Lou’s concerns about the environment. His tendency to dislike big business influences his choice of online sites. The entire Garner family enjoys the many music activities and events, both indoor and outdoor, which occur in Eugene. Ever since they were babies, the Garner children have attended the University of Oregon Festival of American Music and the international Bach festival held in Eugene.

Maggie loves music. She listens to music every day, and likes to explore new sounds and listen to different styles and kinds of music. She enjoys reading reviews of music and is sometimes interested in learning about the history of the music she is currently listening to, such as its cultural heritage and the biographical information of the performers. As part of her home-schooling, Maggie uses music as a means to learn social studies, the history and culture of other countries. Though Maggie likes to sit down and give a piece of music some serious listening, she also likes to have it playing as part of her environment, whether working or having fun. Influenced by her parents’ attitudes, Maggie is cautious when looking for music on-line, and dislikes much of the commercial and prurient aspects of the Web. At the same time she does appreciate the ability offered by the Web to listen to samples of music that intrigue and interest her. She is interested in a music site that is both fun and informative, one that gives her the option to learn more about the music if she wishes to or to explore similar artists. Lately, Nelly Furtado is one of her favorites. Maggie tends to select music by the sound. Maggie is a visual person and appreciates both a modern, clean, slick “feel” to websites and the ability to see the cover art of the music she’s seeking. She likes to listen to pop songs by her favorite artists and she likes to have the lyrics of those songs.

Lou Garner, the father of Maggie and Ewan, is interested in music, especially the more serious aspects of recording and playback qualities when listening to or buying music. He is focused on Jazz and Classical music, although he does check out more modern, alternative music from time to time. His daughter’s music tastes, though not to his liking, keep him apprised of some modern pop music.

On kid sites: “Maybe some history, information, influences about music so that kids wouldn’t be stuck with Hilary Duff and just what she’s wearing and some silly movie coming up with her in it or whatever. Just all the marketing of crap around these singers—maybe getting into more academic information in a way—but in a way that makes it more interesting and fun—not pedantic or boring.”