Q&A with Robert Harrison
Director of Interactive Services
Tell us about what you do as Director of Interactive Services.
Basically, I ensure the websites we develop are of the best quality possible. This means that first the site must address the correct audience, be easy to navigate, serve the site owner, and benefit the site’s users. Secondly, it means the site must be technologically sound. It must use the correct technologies and be architected in way that provides room for growth and upgrades. I make the websites. I also make coffee, but being a programmer, I tend to drink most of it too.
What are the benefits of having a Content Management System?
It gives control of important aspects of a site to the site owner. With a CMS, the site owner can quickly and easily make updates and additions – without technical assistance – so it reduces long-term maintenance costs, gives the site owner the ability to respond to new situations or post important news quickly, and makes it easy to keep a site fresh. A “fresh” site gives visitors a reason to come back and makes it rank higher in search engines.
Besides building websites, what are you passionate about?
Gaining knowledge and learning new skills. I think learning new things keeps life fresh and interesting. Variety is the spice of life, and eclectic is the way I live it.
How long have you had your Harley?
This one? Four years. My current ride is a 2006 Road King Classic, decked to the hilt. This is probably my ninth or tenth bike, but I kind of like this one. It seems to suit me – I think I’ll keep it.
What was the last movie you saw?
“My Life as a Dog.” Swedish movie, subtitled. Enjoyable and interesting. Amazing how, regardless of the culture or language, when you cut to the chase, we’re all just alike. Same need for friendship, security, family, and self-esteem. In the end, what we all need is each other. A movie with good values can remind us of that. And this was one such movie. If you can bear the subtitles, you feel good after watching it.
MAC or PC?
For me, PC. I’m a programmer, and PCs have the best tool set for programmers. You’ll find the best data bases, code compilers, and raw analytical tools on PCs. If I were an artist or a musician, I’d say MAC. That has the best creative tool set. But in the end, that point may be moot. Applications are moving to the web. Just look at Facebook, YouTube and Flickr. Soon the question won’t be MAC or PC, it will be, “which websites?"
