Lessons From Building A Programmed Bookstore

What if you could program a retail environment like you program a desktop application? Miniature computers, pervasive networking, and affordable tablet interfaces make programmed retail environments seem inevitable. Instead of using the familiar mice and monitor for system interaction, a programmed retail operation like my brick-and-mortar bookstore, Lorem Ipsum in Cambridge, Massachusetts, connects cameras, RFID readers, monitors, speakers, and motion detectors to software designed to maximize customer happiness and store profit. But it's not as easy as just adding sensors and a few monitors to the store. Here's what you learn when hacking retail in real life. When Lorem Ipsum Books started up in 2003, I built a web-based inventory and point-of-sale system because that's what I knew. Then I made an architectural choice that would haunt me for years: I chose to move the Linux server from under the sales counter to a data center down the road. This simple system was run on an in-store Linux machine running an Apache web server with a MySQL database of inventory on it. Most web developers today would be familiar with this simple LAMP stack. Employees accessed the inventory system through a web browser running on the computer sitting on the checkout counter. For a cash drawer and receipt printer I went on eBay and purchased the cheapest I could find. With this hardware and a found Cuecat barcode scanner I was in business. I built the computers with spare parts, so the... Continue reading at 'Fast Company'

[ Fast Company | 2013-04-04 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #data center #total cost

Other Publishing stories related to: 'Lessons From Building A Programmed Bookstore'


Taipei Book Exhibition 2024: Professional Programming

Again this year, Taipei International Book Exhibition both produces programming and hosts more from Frankfurt, for publishing pros. The post Taipei Book Exhibition 2024: Professional Programming appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-02-14 23:47:37 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing pros #international book


Bologna Book Plus Releases New Audio Forum Program

The Bologna Book Plus, a generalist-publishing program, offers its first 'Audio Forum' on April 10 during Bologna Children's Book Fair. The post Bologna Book Plus Releases New Audio Forum Program appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2024-02-13 15:48:09 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bologna children #book fair #children's book #bologna book


Super Bowl most-watched U.S. program ever, averaging 123.4 million viewers

The longest Super Bowl game will also go down as the most-watched program in U.S. television history. According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, Kansas City's 25-22 overtime victory over San Francisco on Sunday night averaged 123.4 million viewers across television and streaming platforms. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2024-02-13 13:58:34 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #adobe analytics #kansas city #streaming platforms #nielsen


The Small Bookstore Dedicated To Romance Tells Us Their Favorite Romantic Reads

The Ripped Bodice knows the romance genre inside and out — and they revealed the swoon-worthy books to read right now. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2024-02-13 10:45:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #ripped bodice #bookstore


Super Bowl LVIII was most-watched TV program ever, averaging 123.4m viewers

Chiefs-49ers sets US TV ratings mark with 123.4m viewersNickelodeon’s Super Bowl telecast: ingenious and wildly chaoticThe longest Super Bowl game will also go down as the most-watched program in television history.According to Nielsen and Adobe Analytics, Kansas City’s 25-22 overtime victory... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2024-02-13 07:37:15 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #television history #most-watched program #adobe analytics #kansas city #streaming platforms #7% increase #nielsen


Winter Institute 2024: Booksellers Discuss Building Indie Brands and Bridges

The first day of the ABA's annual conference tackled topics including the basics of bookselling, marketing and media strategies for booksellers in the digital age, and how publishers can make booksellers' lives easier. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-13 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #digital age


130-Year-Old California Bookstore Seeks Buyer

Vroman’s is a community landmark in Pasadena, Calif. Now, its longtime owner says he’s ready to turn over the reins. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2024-02-08 14:22:44 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookstore


At 75, Thames & Hudson Rolls Out New Publishing Programs, Book Design Prize

The illustrated book publisher will launch a new series of small-format titles, gift program, and book design prize, alongside unique branding, to commemorate its 75th anniversary. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-02-08 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #publishing programs #75th anniversary #illustrated book


How Womb House Became the Internet’s Favorite ‘Women-Driven’ Bookstore

Womb House Books owner Jessica Ferri's carefully curated listings have turned her online storefront into the favorite bookseller of Emma Roberts, Natalie Portman, and thousands of Etsy customers. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-26 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #online storefront #natalie portman #bookseller


Wild Rumpus Bookstore Ownership Transferred to Four Employees

Collette Morgan, owner of the Minneapolis children's bookstore that she and her then-husband opened in 1992, has transferred its ownership to four of the store's eight employees. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookstore


Vroman's and Book Soup Bookstores Are Up for Sale

Owner Joel Sheldon, whose family founded the store in 1894, is seeking a buyer for its flagship location in Pasadena, the Hastings Ranch Pasadena location established in 2002, and the West Hollywood store Book Soup, which was acquired by Vroman’s in 2009. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-19 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #flagship location


Pasadena's historic Vroman's bookstore up for sale, along with Book Soup

Vroman's, a longtime Pasadena bookstore, is for sale. Its owner is also looking to sell its second Pasadena location and Book Soup in West Hollywood. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2024-01-18 18:16:13 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #west hollywood #bookstore


Lauren Groff on Opening a Bookstore in Florida

Novelist Lauren Groff joins co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss the new independent bookstore she and her husband are planning in Gainesville, Florida. The Lynx, which Groff aims to open this spring, will feature banned books, an act of resistance in a state where more... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2024-01-11 09:04:26 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #lauren groff #school districts #independent bookstore #bookstore


East Coast, Southern, and Chain Bookstores Report Strong Holiday Sales

Stores on the East Coast, in the South, and two chains, Half-Price Books and Kinokuniya, reported strong sales over the holidays and through much of 2023. Romantasy, prize winners and nominees, and books promoted on social media continue to dominate. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2024-01-11 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #east coast #prize winners


The Best Bookstores and Libraries to Follow on TikTok

Connect with book lovers all over the world by following 17 of the best bookstores and libraries on TikTok. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2024-01-09 11:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book lovers #libraries


Indigo bookstore vandalism sparks debate over definition of antisemitism

The vandalism of an Indigo book store in Toronto illustrates the challenges that may come with both defining antisemitism, and when anti-Israel actions or sentiment cross the line from legitimate protest to hate. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2023-12-02 09:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book store #bookstore


The Holiday Season Looks Promising for Indie Bookstores

Independent bookstores saw steady sales over the shopping spree that increasingly characterizes the three days after Thanksgiving, which brought with them a much-needed confidence boost for booksellers going into the holiday season. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #holiday season #indie bookstores #independent bookstores #steady sales


A Primer for Protecting and Supporting Bookstores

‘How to Protect Bookstores and Why,’ the new book by The Raven bookstore co-owner Danny Caine, offers strategies for booksellers and their customers to keep indie stores kicking. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2023-12-01 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #bookstore