Photo by Bob Pottberg
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Why ArcataCommunity.org? There are already many websites about Arcata…
The web thrives on cooperation. While there are many websites about Arcata, none of them link to even a small portion of Arcata's online activities and content. We are a hub that connects Arcata's residents and visitors to information, resources, and people.
What is a "Community Information Garden"?
Arcata's Farmer's Market (pictured right, photo by Bob Pottberg) embodies our towns's commitment to all things local: food, entrepreneurship, music, and community. The Farmer's Market, along with the small farms and community agriculture projects in and around Arcata, demonstrate an ethic of participation which ArcataCommunity.org is at the heart of the word "community."
The term "Community Information Garden" extends the concept of cultivation we see the community participating in at the Farmer's Market and in CSA projects. Like a garden or bio-system, the web thrives on collaboration and symbioses. Successful cultivation depends on to the way resources interact with each other. Everyone in the community gives his or her time, talent and dedication. In return, all benefit from the fruits of information garden as it matures.
How am I a part of ArcataCommunity.org?
ArcataCommunity.org connects everyone's online contribution in the Arcata information universe. Your website can be included in the directory for free. Our directory is powered by Netscape Open Directory. Anyone can apply to be an editor of one or more categories and anyone can help find, add and review sites. With Open Directory, all websites and categories are stored in one central, open access repository, Other local sites can use this content. Many non-regional sites (including Google Directory) already use Open Directory content. ArcataCommunity.org will have truly world-wide visibility.
Who runs ArcataCommunity.org?
ArcataCommunity.org is non-profit. Currently it is operated by volunteers Aaron Antrim and Joseph Russavage.
Where is ArcataCommunity.org headed?
ArcataCommunity.org will eventually link all of Arcata's community internet resources, and provide a complete starting point to learn about all things Arcata. Our resource is designed to be used by visitors and locals alike, ultimately for everyone's benefit. ArcataCommunity.org promotes Arcata as a community concerned with sustainability and ethics, setting an example for other American cities. Arcata, like CCAT (HSU's Campus Center for Appropriate Technology) is both a demonstration of an ethical lifestyle and a real-life operation run by its residents. Many other local projects, such as the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, have been admired and emulated by the rest of the world, but only after being properly promoted.
ArcataCommunity.org facilitates intelligent, accurate and increasing exposure of Arcata by including websites in the Netscape Open Directory. This significantly improves the Google PageRank of included sites. Thus, representing Arcata this way improves our town's visibility as a whole. If local webmasters also cross-link, Arcata's overall PageRank will further improve. ArcataCommunity.org aims to provide visitors the oportunity to educate themselves about our community so they will have an excellent time and return with friends. We want tourists to be a respectful presence welcomed by our community, not an "invasive species." ArcataCommunity.org supports projects such as the "Arcata, CA" Wikipedia article written by the active internet community. Anyone can change it. Together we can increase and improve tourist-community interaction and foster a healthy and vibrant community garden. Let it bloom!