Massimo Curatella

Technology Guru
Lead Presenter
Software Designer
massimo.curatella#ikonosnewmedia.com

Role at IKONOS

My focus is on technology: from the strategic management to project coordination to the actual implementation.

I worked at the creation of Websites, CD-ROMs, online courses, presentations, researches.

My role is to contribute to the project definition in the identification of goals, objectives, resources, time frame, pitfalls, problems.

My main contribution is in analsying, evaluating and selecting technologies fro the final implementation, according to the project's objectives, client's needs, time and resources available.

Usually I support the role of the technical advisor through personal o team research: I need to have first hand knowledge about tools and technology to be able to use them. You may say I am a little bit skeptical or "San Tommaso-like" to use a familiar italian expression.

That is why, sometimes, I feel very much pressed by tight schedule when a final decision is needed and key to futher development. So far, I must admit, this has always been a benefit, never a disadvantage, since I was always been able to provide timely and reliable technology solutions to the broadest range of problems: from the right tool to publishng an image on the Web to the most appropriate corporate technology layer to implement a multi-tier information system.

Background

Since my early years in the Engineering Faclulty of "La Sapienza" in Rome, I always felt formal training was never enough for me. I consider myself a self-taught professional or better, a self-learner. I need to find my way in acquire knowledge and the only one true to me is "conquer" a subject matter by investigating it deeply and broadly. Like a "radar" scanner that scan a wide area of a field to locate a pearl, and a "laser" microscope that analyse it deeply up to the atom.

This is a pompous introduction to say that I have a very broad range of experience.

Since 1994 I wrote many articles regarding technology and in particular about 3D computer graphics. I've made editorial contributions to some of the best computer graphics magazines in Italy.

In 1995 I was a co-founder of Computer Grafica Tecniche & Applicazioni: the first italian magazine entirely devoted to 3D Computer Graphics, animation and modeling. I worked there as the editor-in-chief for about 3 years.

In that same year I've been a member of the scientific commitee of the Immaginando event. An exhibition totally devoted to Art and Computer Graphics. I had the opportunity to contribute to the official event proceedings with an article about introducing computer graphics and its applications.

During this period I made a lot of professional consultancies regarding the most advanced 3D modeling and animation packages. I gave training courses and I worked in software development teams for the creation of very advanced plug-in modules for some of the World-leading 3D packages. You can have a look at the LumenUmbra Website where a gallery of images shown the level of quality achievable with one of the tool I created.

Since I discovered the Internet I always made personal research about the Net, the Web and their usages. I've even created an entire online book devoted to beginners in the e-commerce field. It is only in italian and it is called Web to Win.

I started my training carrer somewhere in 1991 doing one to one courses about any type of software I was able to get: from AMIGA O.S. to basic Windows usage.

Between 1996 and 1998 I worked as a professional trainer in the Multimedia Design course for one of the most effective professional training schools in Rome. Still today, I receive messages and phone call by some of the many tens of young talents that I contribute to train and that today cover key roles in Multimedia Design production firms in Italy and abroad.

Projects at IKONOS

I am working with IKONOS since 1998. At first I was an hired consultant. Then, when I discovered the level of the projects offered I started to work on a more continued basis even if still on a project-by-project contract.

FAO Fisheries Department - Fisheries Online Gloabal Research
Analysed the Website: Web log access analysis, Search Engine position ranking and comparision, HTML code quality assessment. I personally assembled the final report, several hundreds of pages, in a offline version on a CD-ROM. I supported the results final presentation.

FIGIS - Software testing
Designed, coordinated, delivered a extensive testing and debug session on the Query Panel FIGIS subsystem. A three-tiers information system heavily based on JAVA and XML technologies. Presented to client the final results with a printed report, a support CD-ROM and a live presentation.

FIGIS - User Interface Design and Engineering
Contributed to the User Interface Design. Coordinate the User Interface engineering and implementation. Quality assurance and testing.

FAO FIGIS - FIGIS Showcase
Contributed to the Project definition. Implemented the prototype of the presentation. Evaluated and selected the best technology to be used. Coordinate external implementation with Macromedia Flash. Final testing and quality assurance. Coordinated the CD-ROM printing process and delivery to client.

FAO SDAR Participation Web site
Engineered the User Interface implementation in HTML. Final implementation testing. Support for optimization and final debug.

MasterNewMedia Knowledgebase
It is a knowledgebase for new media communication professionals, trainers, designers, communication and publishing managers.
I contributed to the Website design and implementation. I evaluated and implemented the back-end technology to publishing the knowledgebase on the Web. I set-up the database software and I am the senior administrator.

Convention on Biological Diversity - CHM CD-ROM Toolkit
Coordinated the implementation of the CD-ROM. Evaluated and selected all the technology components to be used and implemented. Final testing and quality assurance. Coordinated the CD-ROM printing process and delivery to client.

IFAD - International Fund for Agricultural Development
Presentation of household food security and gender strategy
Coordinated the implementation phase. Evaluated and selected the best technology components to be used and integrated. Final testing and debugging. Final testing and quality assurance. Coordinated the CD-ROM printing process and delivery to client.

ILRI - International Livestock Research Institute
Website
Coordinate prototype implementation and testing. Quality testing and assurance. HTML engineering. Supported final implementation.

FAO DAD-IS - Domestic Animal Diversity Information System
Evaluation of Website update according to a dynamic Web pages generation based on a database.
Implementation of the new version of the graphics for the top banner in 5 different languages.

FAO Computer Training Department
Cooperated to the definition and development of training modules in information and communication technology.
Lead trainer in the delivery of Web publishing courses: HTML Editor, Website Editor, Website Publisher, XML Supporter, Digital Image Editor, Digital Image Composer, Digital Media Manager.
Trained about 200 FAO member staff in about 12 months.
Supported in the course design, learning material creation and development, research and development of online support Website with interactive tests and resources.

WBI - World Bank Institute
KULT - World Bank Institute Knowledge Utilization through Learning Technologies (KULT) program
Cooperated to the development and delivery of live presentations held by IKONOS staff at several KULT international workshops organised by the World Bank Institute.

3rd Trainers' Workshop on Improving Training Quality through Peer Learning and Distance Mentoring (ITQ-3)
Resource persons: support in training delivery and preparation. Support in technology set up and coordination

1st International Workshop on Applying Interactive Learning Technologies (ILT-1): Practical Tools for Improving Training Quality
Resource person. Facilitator in training delivery. Learning material preparation.

4th Trainers' Workshop on:
Improving Training Quality through Interactive Learning Technologies and Distance Mentoring (ITQ-4)
Deputy Technology coordinator. Facilitator. Website implementation, senior administrator.

IsitQ.org - Community KnowledgeVortal
International Society for the Improvement of Training Quality
Executive Commitee member. Website implementation and testing. Senior administrator.

IKONOS New Media Website
Interface design. HTML implementation. Graphic implementation. Senior administrator. Technical coordinator.

Training of Trainers
Supported IKONOS New Media in finding, evaluating and training, trainers for internal and external training projects.