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NICA ONLINE: Vision Scope (Introduction)Objective: Enhance Virtual Community of NW Communitarians
Objective: Increase NW IC Web Site Traffic
Objective: Improve NW IC Exposure
Objective: Increase NICA Membership
Conclusion
Project Ideas
Board of Advisors
Program Manager
Contact: Craig Ragland
Professional Skills
Program Management - project analysis, requirements definition, creation and deployment of new web technologies, including tools for traffic analysis, web page archiving, and online chat support. Prior to the emergence of the internet, managing multimedia software development for products and consulting clients.
Traffic Analysis - developing and using depth understanding of web traffic for the Microsoft Network (MSN) to manage traffic so as to better serve user interests and increase company revenues. Use of traffic information to optimize the Songaia.com website as a traffic magnet when developing our membership.
Communications - considerable experience in technical writing, including Vision Scopes, Business Requirements, Functional Specifications, Analyses, and Management presentations. Authored several articles, coauthored one book, and contributed content to various websites.
Web Programming - limited HTMLcapabilities and no direct, hands-on experience with CSS, page template, database connectivity, or other web languages. When entering the implementation phase, this project will require active participation from web developer(s). Note: this page was created by copying an existing page and editing it in Macromedia Dreamweaver.
Graphic Design - limited design or illustration skills; have graphic tool skills for simple manipulations, e.g. cropping, touch-up, etc. Heavily involved in website UI design, working with designers, photographers, and illustrators. When entering the implementation phase, this project will require active participation by a graphic designer.
Internet Technologies - limited experience with more interactive internet technologies, such as blogs, wikis, etc. Professional experience focused on "traditional" websites, both dynamic and static.
Intentional Community Experience
Pre-Songaia - lived in several housing cooperatives while a graduate student at Univ. of Washington; was part of a Seattle-based cohousing group for three months which later disbanded, though other members of that group also now live in different communities.
Songaia - joined Songaia in 1992, when it operated as housing cooperative, after its transformation from a shared-income field service group within the ICA. A key focus for members of our cooperative was to develop Songaia as a cohousing community. We completed construction in 2000. During Songaia's development, I've filled several leadership roles and continue to do so in our vibrant community.
NICA - member and supporter. Have benefited from NICA gatherings for several years. Visiting other intentional communities is very rewarding. Part of the reason I left Microsoft was to focus on helping to grow the intentional community movement (part of the impetus for NICA Online)
FIC - member and supporter. Participated in the 1993 Intentional Communities Gathering. Helped support the online directory. Proposed and obtained agreement for Songaia to become a community member. Member of the FIC Regional Networking Committee.
Intentional Community Limitations
Intentional Community Movement - limited long-term connections to the broad movement. With the exception of some involvement with NICA, almost all experience in "the movement" has been helping to create tbe Songaia community - esp. business and marketing.
Self-Employed: 8/6/05-present
Intentional Community Activist
In August, I shifted my focus from working for money (at Microsoft) in order to work on growing the intentional communities movement. This project is my first clear step to this end.
Microsoft Corporation: 1997-2005
Group Research Manager, Research Manager, Program Manager, Marketing Manager
Diverse set of responsibilities in MSN, including
- conducting analyses growing and managing website traffic
- managing creation of databases, specialized methods, and tools
- managing website distribution - delivering MSN content to other sites and inbound traffic to MSN sites
Note: MSN is one of the most heavily used networks of websites. It actively manages its network traffic to drive increased monetization.
Questar Microsystems: 1996-1997
Vice President of Internet ServicesWhile at this internet consultancy, I obtained a large project at Microsoft, creating a new version the website for Microsoft Office (see office.microsoft.com for current version).
Paramount Theater: 1995-1996
Director of Multimedia
Managed creation of the Paramount's first website (see www.theparamount.com for current version), produced Cyberian Rhapsody, the first Symphonic webcast, and created a CD ROM to celebrate the grand reopening of the Paramount.
Note: the Paramount theater is one of Seattle's live event theaters. In 1993, it was purchased by Ida Cole, former Microsoft VP. Her vision was to explore how multimedia technologies could be applied to the theater. I was hired to spearhead this effort.
Zephron Corporation: 1991-1995
President and Co-Owner
Zephron was a cooperatively run multimedia consultancy that created database-driven CD-ROMs, kiosks, sales tools, etc. Clients included the Paramount Theater, Boeing, Microsoft, US West, Apple Computer, Nordstrom, Seattle Arts Commission, and Bellevue Art Museum.
Contact: Craig Ragland
Updated: 10/20/05