User+Scenario

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User Scenarios: The purpose of this section is to outline some of the issues and problems surrounding the way things are currently designed. We will break it up into the different areas of focus for our online music site.


 * **Music** - Problems with downloading illegally (moral/ethical issues) and legally (through iTunes or other)
 * **Tickets** - The difficulties in trying to buy tickets to a concert
 * **Merchandise** - How to go about buying merchandise (where to find it, different style options, etc.)
 * **Social** - How people interact with each other in online communities that currently exist (and the different features people use)

=MUSIC= SCENARIO ONE

Jason uses BitTorrent to download albums illegally. He uses it because it is free and convenient. One day he tries to download the new 50 Cent album, and picks up a trojan which infects his computer. His Internet provider consequently shuts off his Internet for illegal downloading and for unknowingly sending trojans to other users. Jason knows that using BitTorrent is free and convenient, but he wonders whether an application like MusicMerger would be more secure. He wouldn't mind paying a little extra if he knew that music files would be virus-free, and there would be no chance of his Internet provider shutting off his connection for illegal activities.


 * Must-have:**
 * All music files available for purchase must be guaranteed to be virus-free.


 * Should-have:**
 * All music files should be uploaded and approved by MusicMerger, and users are not permitted to upload their own content in order to ensure that files are virus-free.
 * Fast servers that can handle a great deal of traffic, to ensure that users get their music quickly. This would deter them away from sites like BitTorrent, as they can often be very slow.


 * Could-have:**
 * A virus-scanning program that scans each file purchased, to provide peace of mind to the user.
 * Recommendations based on purchase trends, to ensure that the user continues to download music.


 * Would-have:**

SCENARIO TWO

Megan uses LimeWire to download music files illegally. She is mildly concerned about ethics and legal issues, but not enough that it would deter her from piracy. She downloads the new Beyonce single, but when she listens to it she finds that a) it is a scratchy radio rip, and b) halfway through the song a loud screech can be heard and the song cuts off. She tries to download another file, only to find the same bad quality. She wonders if perhaps using a site like MusicMerger would guarantee her good quality.


 * Must-have:**
 * A guarantee to the user that every song he or she downloads is approved by MusicMerger and of good quality.
 * Only MusicMerger employees and participating artists and record labels can submit music for purchase, in order to prevent bad quality ripped music from leaking onto the database.


 * Should-have:**
 * An option to preview files before downloading them, to ensure that the song is clean and of good quality.


 * Could-have:**
 * A comments section where users can read comments from other users, regarding the quality of the song. This is beneficial to unsigned artists as well as they can determine what they should improve (e.g. "too much bass," "guitar too quiet at the end" etc.)


 * Would-have:**
 * A guarantee from the artist or record label that the song is original, complete, genuine and of good quality.

TICKETS
Buying tickets for an event: Gary's favourite band is U2 and they have an upcoming show in his city. He really wants to get tickets for the concert but he is not sure what is the best way to do it. Like most concerts, the tickets will be sold through [|Ticketmaster]. Gary has a few options:
 * He can wake up early on the morning the tickets go on sale and head to the nearest Ticketmaster outlet to wait in line and hope to get tickets. The problems with that are many. You never know how many people will be waiting in line and the store could be unprepared for the amount of people and end up being very unorganized and inefficient at getting people their tickets. Also the technologies involved could crash or fail (such as the computer, or debit/credit system). The bonus to this method is that you can pay with cash or debit (you don't need a credit card).
 * If Gary doesn't feel like getting out of bed that day he can take his chances buying the tickets online, through www.ticketmaster.ca. The problems that could occur include the website crashing due to the high volume of people logged on, his own computer may crash or run out of battery, an unexpected emergency could come up and prevent him from completing the transaction. Another issue with purchasing online (and this goes for pretty much anything) is that you need a credit card to buy the item. Poor Gary doesn't have a credit card, so this option is out.
 * Maybe Gary doesn't have a car or a computer, so he is unable to go in person or online to buy the tickets. His last option is to phone Ticketmaster and charge by phone. The problem with this is similar to online, but pertains to the technology of the telephone. The line could be busy, Gary could be on hold for a long time, he may never even speak to a human, and he also doesn't have a credit card.
 * Turns out by this time the U2 tickets are already sold out! But it's only been 5 minutes!? I guess Gary's only option now is to buy tickets from a re-seller site like Tickets Now, eBay or Craigslist. The problems with this is that the tickets will be way more expensive, and it is morally wrong to be supporting this type of practice (scalping tickets).
 * Gary decides to buy tickets off a resale site anyways, but once he gets them he can't figure out where the seats are! The ticket is full of technical jargon and unidentifiable codes. When he finally does figure out what section, row and seat number his ticket is, he has a hard time finding a map of the venue, and even when he does, the map is either out dated or not detailed enough (basically useless).
 * When Gary shows up to the concert it turns out that his ticket is not valid, he got scammed! But there was no way for him to tell when he bought them initially and now the seller has mysteriously disappeared. There is nothing anyone can do for poor Gary, he is out $500 and doesn't get to see his favourite band.

A newly improved ticket selling website:
 * Must-have:
 * abilities to manage a large flux in volumes of traffic
 * secure system to protect credit card users
 * Should-have:
 * multiple methods of payment available (pay pal for non-credit card users)
 * clearly viewable and comprehensive maps showing which seats are available (colour coded by price level)
 * more fluid, easy to use, user-friendly system
 * some kind of verification method to insure tickets are valid
 * Could-have:
 * priority to fans and VIP members (based on participation, amount of sales, buy-in options)
 * ability to tag/rate/review how good seats are in a specific section (for future purchasers)
 * names printed on tickets as a preventative measure to scalping
 * Would-have:
 * different blocks of tickets being released at different times throughout the day (to prevent a rush of traffic, and also give other people who can't make it at that time the option to get tickets)
 * "favourite seat" option to get the same seats

MERCHANDISE
Thomas loves going to concerts and wants to support his favorite band through purchasing their t-shirts. Thomas weighs 300 lbs and requires a XXXL shirt size to fit him. Unfortunately for Thomas, most concert venues for his favorite band do not have the size shirt and design he wants. Thomas feels that he is letting his favorite band down because he cannot support them through wearing one of their cool t-shirts.

M- A merchandise creator that allows fans to purchase any size shirt, hat and other accessories they may require and customize it to the designs that band has made available. S- A merchandise creator that shows a computer generated image of what the final product should look like after it has been customized to the liking of the fan. C- A fan feedback section that shows pictures of shirts in various sizes, designs and with different outfits. W- A variety of different materials to use for t-shirts, more stretch friendly material for larger people. Also, dry fit shirts for those who enjoy the mosh-pit and crowd surfing to reduce sweat stains.

**SOCIAL**
Mary has a hectic schedule and does not have a lot of time to go out and meet people. She finds herself socially isolated and wishes she had people to connect with. She wants to combine her love and knowledge of music with socializing to feel more connected to the outside world. She would also like to obtain the latest music gossip, ideas on new bands that she can check out, music perspectives from all over the world, concerts that she can go to and maybe meet up with some of the people she met online and would also like to share what she is listening to and what bands she loves. She decides to join MusicMerger which combines all of the elements together in one application and can provide the feeling of community that she has been looking for.


 * M**- An internet application or website that hosts the discussion forums and social aspects, personalized profile pages, a forum for discussion
 * S**- Personalized recommendations, live chat, event calendars, user generated content, ability to post videos, pictures, feeds and updates on what other people are doing, etc.
 * C**- A marketplace to sell or buy tickets, merchandise, etc.
 * W**- A desktop application

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