we are here!
0. Who are we?
Zhenzheng Zhou, a dual major in Computer Science and Management, who is currently enjoying her second year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (R.P.I.).
Josh Komoroske, a Computer Science major at R.P.I., he is a sophomore as well.
1. What is the project about?
It's a textbook market where you can buy, sell or trade your textbooks with other students from your college!
2. What is the point of having it?
I’m glad that you asked!
Every semester students go through the process of picking out new classes. Then, when teachers release the list of books that are required for these classes, it is a common sight to see many students flooding social networks like Facebook asking all of their friends what books they have, and what books they would be willing to trade for. Sometimes students don’t get the luck in finding the right person to trade textbooks with or to borrow from, so they more likely have to buy either a new or a used book from local or online bookstores for an expensive price. On the other hand, the students who could not find someone to buy their books, the only choice is to sell the books at a fraction of their value to a bookstore.
Economically, it seems like everyone will be better off if there exists a textbook marketplace, not to mention that the existence of such a website will save students a great deal of time and effort. Therefore we propose developing a web-based textbook marketplace to correct this problem.
In short,
Textbooks are expensive to buy
According to Nicole Allen of The Student PIRGs, students attending public four-year colleges currently pay an average of $800 to $900 to purchase their textbooks each year.1
Some books are useless after taking the class
Speaking from my personal experiences, I took physics in my freshman year. I don’t see a special need to keep the textbook – it’s very unlikely that I will move on to quantum physics and/or modern physics.
We sell textbooks at a fraction of their value to local bookstore
Of course it will be cheap. Bookstores have their own businesses :(
Some textbooks are identical semester to semester
Unfortunately, you are spending 200+ dollars on something that you could simply borrow from a friend for FREE!
3. So, any solution…?
Sure, social websites…
Uh, clearly it went off topic. At least I don’t think it’s very helpful in terms of selling or buying a textbook.
4. How about an alternative solution?
Of course there is always another choice. How’s Amazon!?
The picture spoke for itself.
Imaging you have a test coming up, but you just ordered the textbook on the day before (which you shouldn’t do!)… Well, good luck on waiting!
5. What do we think?
Hey, why not a website for RPI students to sell/buy/trade their textbooks?
6. The idea
Local student user-base – NO SHIPPING
Get your books bought/sold at market-driven prices
No third party bookstore – sell your books directly to other students
Meet other students through the marketplace
7. The website
Apache Server
MySQL Database
PHP (probably via Cake PHP)
8. Why website?
Accessibility
Accessibility is in fact in the sense that if you have a web application, any browser (be it on a desktop, or mobile device) can easily access the same site, which means there will be no worries with regard to the platform. The web server will be able to profile the user’s browser, and serve pages accordingly.
Adaptability
Since the project’s source code will be released to the public, (and potentially for use at other colleges) we want the site to be as customization as possible. We would not be able to have other colleges add their own custom logos and style-sheets if the application was pre-compiled for an app store.
Availability
This scope of this project does not create a demand, such that it must be checked every few minutes (such as a Facebook/Twitter/News app could justify). It will be easily available via a web-browser for when the user needs to use it as a resource.
9. What have we done?
Set ups
Fully configure Apache/MySQL/PHP
Learn PHP, MySQL
Design layout of the website
Specify the user group
Start Coding!
10. What will be done?
Get familiar and more proficient with PHP and MySQL
IMPLEMENTATION
Website appearance
Back end
User-friendliness
Talk to APO at union
11. How can you reach us?
Comments and advices are greatly appreciated! Just send us an email at:
1Guide to Establishing Textbook Rental Services, The Student PIRGs. http://www.studentpirgs.org/textbooks/reports/rental-services-guide
