Poll:Would Optical Professionals be interested in a private forum??

[hcjilson]

Many members have suggested a Private Forum, for Optical Professionals only. Because of the time and effort required to put it together and administrate, admission to this forum would be by subscription only and the fee would be modest. In order to subscribe, you would need a valid email address, your proper name, your position within the industry, and perhaps a reference.

This poll is posted for informational and discussion purposes only.If you are a consumer (non professional) please signify by stating that in your replies. All members are encouraged to participate in this poll which is designed to improve Optiboard.

Please keep to the topic of this poll.

[drk]

There are things that could only be discussed on a private forum that would help fellow professionals.

[OPTIDONN]

What about a forum for consumers?

[hcjilson]

I don't believe thats the topic of this thread. Stick to the subject please.

[Chris Ryser]

I don't believe thats the topic of this thread. Stick to the subject please.

It does make sense to have a closed forum. There are many items that could be discussed that concern only the people in the business.

However looking at the newest addition the "Canadian Forum" which was opened to accomodate some request's for it and has become a bore.

There is the possibility that it could go the same way.

[wmcdonald]

What about a forum for consumers?

That is what the Optiboard has already become, unfortunately. We need something for the pros to discuss pertinent topics. the question is, how we determine what a pro is?

[jherman]

Depending on cost of course, is there any room for corpotate sponsorship at Optiboard?
james

[Framebender]

and I would be willing to pay for it. I think its a great idea!!

[Lady Nicole]

Many members have suggested a Private Forum, for Optical Professionals only...

....If you are a consumer (non professional) please signify by stating that in your replies...

.

I would just like to know, how exactly are we defining "professional"?

If consumer = non professional, does that mean anyone claiming to work in any aspect of the field is a professional? Would a professional be someone who is licensed/certified?

I'm just asking for clarification, so I know if I would fit in on such a forum. I have my ABO certification, which is all that's available in my state. Does professional mean formally educated, too?

[For-Life]

However looking at the newest addition the "Canadian Forum" which was opened to accomodate some request's for it and has become a bore.

That place is not supposed to take off. No, it is supposed to be used for certain problems.


Anyways, I really do not see the point a restricted forum. I cannot see what we would be able to discuss there that we cannot here.

[Cindy Hamlin]

Depending on cost of course, is there any room for corpotate sponsorship at Optiboard?
james

James if you are interested in sponsoring the Optiboard Steve Machol, our Opti-hero would be the person to direct this inquiry to. He does allow corporate sponsorship. Why not send him a private message and ask?

[efsamuel]

Here is why I think this would be a good thing.

A) Once and for all you can define levels of "Optician". I call my self an optician but there are several here who think I may be putting on airs due to lack of formal training. Since there is no one standard we can hold ourselves to (ABO is not even a requirement in my state) the community itself can define where a user is and help to educate opticians to the top ranks.

B) Also when a question is asked one knows the level of experience of the questioner and the levels of experience of the responders. For this site it is especially important since a high number of post don't always translate into high level of knowledge. (Not speaking of anyone specifically)

C) There are some of us here who while we have no formal education and just what we have picked up as we could along the way realize we have gaps in our knowledge but have the vast majority down. We understand the differences in materials, the right frame selection, what the reasons coating do what they do etc. There are also some of us who are inherently geeky in nature and want to really get all there is to know about optics. Whatever the desire to learn lets face it there are not that many resources out there. (If anyone is interested in my quest to find out about the ABOM and related studies I could rant.) By coming together as a "professional only" site hopefully a shared resource system would benefit all.

D) Lastly, and this may be a bit radical, but I would be even more inclined to subscribe to a group that would be looking towards getting organized as to follow legislation, develop better CEC's etc. I know this is a bit far fetched as every few years I get fed up trying to find decent CEC material or cleaning up messes due to trying to train an optician in a non licensed or credentialed state when they get an ego. Or even, since we would be paying to belong, holding more that general discussions but even organizing specific topics that are of interest. The PAL forum is a god send for me to troll information yet due to several afore mentioned reasons I sometimes do not post and therefore try to muddle through.

OK I will get off my soap box and have probably given WAY more info than was asked. Thanks for the opportunity to tell it how I see it

[fjpod]

Why don't we charge consumers for a subscription to optiboard?

Added (3/15/06): After all they should be paying a full service optical professional for service and information, instead of buying things online or from a clerk at a counter where there is no fitting, expertise, technical support, etc.

I'm not against consumerism, but this board is not the place.

[lensgrinder]

Great Idea! I would join. The consumer questions get old.

[Judy Canty]

You know they'd probably go away if people just quit answering them. Sort of like nagging spouses and whiny children...:hammer:

[rbaker]

The concept is great but the implementation will suck. How does a person qualify for a password to the forum? Who checks credentials and maintains security? If we were plumbers, barbers or pet groomers it would be easy. Just provide your license number.

So, why not just charge a $100.00 initiation fee to the forum. This would discourage the consumers, weirdoes, perverts and riff raff from joining and diverting us from our erudite discussions. And, each year we could donate these funds to the State legislator who would support opticianry licensing in a non licensed State.

[mirage2k2]

Why don't we charge consumers for a subscri[ption to optiboard?

This is a great idea. Why make the professionals pay when it is the consumers that are the problem.

I'm a consumer, but the type that is on here to learn more about optics. If you had to pay to join this would deter the consumers that have simple questions (that they should be asking there own optician), and the consumers who want to buy online and just come here for free professional advise.

The hard part is how to differentiate between consumer and professional - perhaps new subscribers have to pass some online test - the type of test that would scare away your average consumer

[mirage2k2]

BTW, I voted that I'm for it and would subscribe to it ... but would you let me since I'm not a professional?

[j.west]

"Consumers are the problem?" Hardly. I am a consumer but I have a strong interest in better understanding the art and science of opticianry. I have actually contributed to the knowledge of the board by sharing knowledge....no one has all the answers. Consumer questions may be annoying at times, but sometimes they give an angle of insight that a professional, with their specific set of training and habits of practice, might not think of. This is true of any profession. Consumer feedback is important. It is easy to become insular. Some discussions lend themselves better to written form.

Other than specific trade secrets such as pricing, etc, I see no reason for a separate forum.

Keep in mind that an educated consumer will better be able to discern which opticians know their stuff. This will have a positive effect on the industry. Once someone understands why service is important they will give their business to those hard-working and knowledgeable professionals who deserve it.

In fact, I would like to see a feature of the board that makes it easier to search for members by region. It is not necessary to spam all over the board but I would like to see a place where professionals here could mention their place of business. I would be extremely likely to patronize someone who consistently participates in a helpful manner. ESPECIALLY those who show kindness and patience towards the lowly consumer.

We're not all dumb. :)

[rbaker]

Not much happening on the political or religion front, so the latest brouhaha seems to be all of these consumer types posting the same old questions again and again on the OptiBoard. Well, first of all there is no prohibition to anyone posting anything on OptiBoard as long as they don’t use improper language, slander or discuss prices. I usually do read and occasionally enjoy these posts not so much for the dumb question but for some of the dumber answers. But, if I don’t want to cloud my mind with dumb questions and answers I can always go and check out Drudge or some porn site.

I do have a few observations and comments though.

Mr. Optician - How in the name of Sweet Mother McCree can you diagnose a problematic multifocal fitting or contact lens fitting over the internet? How would you handle a request of this nature if someone called you on the phone in your office?

Mr. Consumer – Would you walk into the office of an OD or MD and expect to have your question answered without paying a professional fee? How about an attorney or accountant? If you wrote a question on the wall above a urinal in the bus station would you take the advice that you received?

I understand that it is quite convenient to ask anonymous questions and give anonymous answers as you do not have to take responsibility for the outcome. There is a world of difference between asking a general question and requesting the solution to a problem. I think we serve ourselves and the consumer best when we answer questions but deny advise.

[GoodAsGold]

It might be a good idea for the professionals to have a Yahoogroup list...membership only. Not a public forum. If someone wants to join, they have to write the moderator and more or less "prove" they're in the business. Maybe a few questions can be asked or something to show they are indeed pros. And with the list, you can choose to read it just from the Web or have mail sent to you either in Digest form, or regular e-mail.

Now then, if all the consumers suddenly disappeared from here, what would you professionals have to do? Oh sure, you could share trade secrets and shoot the breeze about how "stooopid your patients are". You can compare the latest and greatest. But, after awhile you might miss us consumers who provide the "fodder" that really heats up some of the conversations here. And, if we weren't around who would you boast to about all your experience and initials after your names? Not to mention, many of us consumers are here because we actually appreciate any expertise you might like to throw our way. We feel comfortable asking questions, partly because it's an anonymous situation. And also because it's sometimes easier to put our thoughts down "on paper". And, there are some consumers who enjoy learning and love to do the research that comes along with it. We're not all stooopid! But it also doesn't mean we're trying to be "pros" just because we choose to learn some of the lingo.

Please don't cut off your nose to spite your face.

[j.west]

all this talk about offering advice to consumers and how there should be a fee. Well, what about advice for other professionals? Last I checked, consultants and professional seminars carry even heftier fees than an office visit. Even if it were professionals only, some are bound to share more expertise than others. But there is no points system. It's a OPEN forum. That means you're free to give advice if you want.....and should not expect anything in return but the enrichment that a lively community provides.

Perhaps the answer would be to flag posts as being from consumers, and provide some type of filter for those not inclined to drudge through them.

If posts are inappropriate then they can be moderated or ignored.

Most of you are not academics. The ivory tower perspective does not lend itself well to a consumer-oriented business. Allowing input from consumers generates goodwill and a willingness to invest more in quality eyecare. At least it has in my case. And I refuse to patronize anyone who treats me in a condescending manner. I realize some of you are retired and feel entitled to a crotchety demeanor. Fine, continue to grump, and we'll continue to ask our dumb questions, and the community lives on. :)

This argument brings to mind AOL's recent proposition of pay-per-email....in an attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff. AOL is destroying the Internet. Free access has its problems, but it has allowed upcoming pros, students, and those living in communities and countries of limited economic opportunity, equal access in sharing information. Now they want to take over and restrict the Net, just as our public airwaves have been monopolized by corporate broadcasters who care very little about the public interest and pay lip service to the FCC's guidelines regarding quality programming.

I hate "dumb questions" on this forum as much as any other....but we need to protect free exchange of information. We can't let that ideal just slip away.

[Judy Canty]

It might be a good idea for the professionals to have a Yahoogroup list...membership only. Not a public forum.

We already have one. As the tagline says, it's for eyecare professionals. Why should eyecare professionals have to create yet another?

While I would certainly pay a fee for admission to a private forum, why not just close threads that are obviously written by consumers? If we don't answer the questions, eventually they'll find another yard to play in.

[hcjilson]

This thread was was a poll to gauge interest in a private forum for eyecare professionals.
Some background:

Steve Machol founded this board as a "free" bulletin board for optical professionals and any other interested parties .He has staunchly stuck to that premise. Optiboard was originally called "Optical Help Wanted which is how I and the earlier members found it. I can't speak for Steve, but I think his vision remains the same, that it be at no cost to members.

In the old days, we lacked some of the flexibility we enjoy today because we were limited by the software that runs this board.We've come a long way in 11 years and the board has evolved into what you now see.This was done with the input of its members, and I am here to say that our consumer members had a very significant part in that.Now have the ability to establish private forums, which is what led to this poll.

Nothing should change in the format we now enjoy. Consumers are welcome here and are a vibrant part of Optiboard. The establishment of a private forum would be to provide a place for Optical Professionals to discuss issues which may concern consumers, but in which their input would be counterproductive.

This poll will be up for 9 more days. The How's and Why's are not answered yet and don't need to be at this point. All we're looking for is whether or not the members would support it.

Thanks for keeping this thread intact.

[Judy Canty]

Like I said, I'd support a fee-based forum, but I resent being told that, as an eyecare professional in an online eyecare professional community, I should find another place to play. Steve founded this forum for eyecare professionals and while we have often blurred the definition of professional, we have all remained members of the eyecare community. There are online sites out there for consumers who for what ever reason prefer the anonimity of a computer for medical advice; WebMD comes to mind. Perhaps it's time to "gate" our community. OD, MD, Licensed Opticians, ABO-NCLE certified Opticians, Certified Para-Optometrics, COT's, etc., all have credentials which can be authenticated. I would be happier paying a fee to cover the expenses involved in this verification, than just paying a fee to play on one block in my own community. OptiBoard is the online community for eyecare professionals not the online community for people with eyes.

By gum, I'm feeling pretty feisty today!