Welcome to the OptiBoard Community Newsletter for April 2002!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Date is: 04-08-2002. This newsletter covers activity activity since 03-01-2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's been a very fun and interesting month for OptiBoard. In addition to 'The truth about.....!' (see below), we had a record turnout of OptiBoarders at Vision Expo East 2002. In all, 17 OBers showed up at the appointed time on Saturday, March 16th to partake of good conversation and the refreshments supplied by Live Eyewear. In addition, I ran into many members on the floor of the convention who could not make the meeting.

So that you can begin putting the faces to the names, here's the link to the photos taken at the meeting:

o http://www.optiboard.com/gallery/VEE2002/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIBOARD NEWSLETTER SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interested in sponsoring the OptiBoard Communty newsletter? Send an email to smachol@optiboard.com for information about this opportunity to reach the most active online communty of eyecare professionals worldwide.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
'The truth about.....no one in particular!'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
On April 1st the truth was finally revealed. No, not about you. The truth revealed was that this entire thread was an elaborate (and I might add very effective!) April Fool's joke on everyone!

o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4330

As many people finally figured out, I had rigged the messages by 'Peregrin Took' so that the name appearing in the message was of the person reading it! The result was that everyone reading this message thought it was directed at them, when in fact it was directed at no one in particular. Even some Moderators (who will remained unnamed) were taken in by the prank, even though they were forewarned about it.

So how was it done? First I applied a slight modification to the software code so that whenever someone used {bbusername} in a post, the effect was to display the name of the person reading the post. I then generated a 'complaint' letter using the "Scott Pakin's automatic complaint-letter generator" at:

o http://hugin.sigusr1.org/~pakin/complaint

If anyone was truly upset or angry about this post, I humbly apologize and beg your forgiveness. I do hope everyone took this in the fun spirit it was intended. And I assure you, there'll be no more shenanigans from mischievous Mr. Took!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIBOARD SPONSORED FORUMS!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just a reminder that we now have two sponsored forums on OptiBoard. These are:

o Smart Lens Technology by Transitions Optical
http://www.optiboard.com/forums/foru...?s=&forumid=28

o Sunwear Selling Solution by Live Eyewear
http://www.optiboard.com/forums/foru...?s=&forumid=29

As the titles suggest these forums are sponsored by Transitions Optical and Live Eyewear, respectively. Please show your support for OptiBoard and these sponsors by visiting these forums and learning more about the products and services offered by these fine companies.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIBOARD FEATURED MEMBER OF THE MONTH
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This month's featured member is:

JERRY HUANG

Jerry has been a Member of OptiBoard since June 2000. Over time Jerry has posted pictures of the numerous eyeglass frames he's expertly crafted by hand. In addition he has shared his considerable experise concerning frame materials and construction on the Board. Jerry has become the 'Frame Guru' of OptiBoard is highly respected for his knowledge and kills.

Congratulations Jerry, and thanks for being a valuable member of the OptiBoard Community!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOT TOPICS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the hot topics currently running on OptiBoard:

Title: "The truth about {bbusername}!" (posted 04-01-2002 by Peregrin Took)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4330

Title: "TIPS ON DISPENSING" (posted 05-31-2001 by harry a saake)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=1034

Title: "Oakley Consumer Alert" (posted 08-16-2001 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=2704

Title: "State Practical Exam" (posted 02-18-2002 by gebe33)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3990

Title: "world wide" (posted 06-05-2001 by John R)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=2134

Title: "Formal Education" (posted 02-03-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3864

Title: "OptiBoard Meeting at Vision Expo!" (posted 02-14-2002 by Steve Machol)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3971

Title: "...where the deer and the antelope play..." (posted 12-28-2001 by Johns)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3576

Title: "Let's have a heated debate!" (posted 02-17-2002 by Maria)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3987

Title: "CONTEST - Win Live Eyewear Apparel!!" (posted 02-01-2002 by Live Eyewear)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3847

Title: "Test Your Connection Speed Here !" (posted 01-26-2002 by Sean)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3806

Title: "Vision Expo East 2002..." (posted 03-18-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4233

Title: "What is your favorite progressive?" (posted 01-16-2002 by Lee Prewitt)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3714

Title: "Transitions Next Generation....." (posted 02-25-2002 by Texas Ranger)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4040

Title: "CONTEST - Win Live Eyewear Apparel!!" (posted 02-01-2002 by i8lunch2day)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4135

Title: "Help with question about salary...." (posted 01-27-2002 by KEVIN88GT)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3812

Title: "Contact Lens Education" (posted 02-16-2001 by chip anderson)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=1858

Title: "best price for beautiful Handmade frames" (posted 01-31-2002 by handmades)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3838

Title: "Famous Patients" (posted 03-26-2002 by Jedi)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4303

Title: "Is It A Southern Thing?" (posted 04-02-2002 by cah2020)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4345

Title: "How about having a forum that listed speakers and their courses" (posted 01-11-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3664

Title: "More movie reviews..." (posted 01-15-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3703

Title: "Can anyone give me a definition......" (posted 02-21-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4015

Title: "Marcolin" (posted 03-12-2002 by Jedi)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4190

Title: "The Costliest Spectacle" (posted 03-26-2002 by sandeepgoodbole)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4298

Title: "Some people..." (posted 03-24-2002 by John R)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4278

Title: "Whats your favorite TV program" (posted 02-06-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3886

Title: "Those of you who do lens finish work, do you have a suggestion" (posted 03-27-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4307

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTIBOARD STATISTICS
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had the following activity in March:

o New members: 104 ( 1,503 current total*)
o New threads: 240 ( 4,193 current total)
o New posts: 2,178 ( 32,127 current total)
o Total hits: 937,732
o Total visits: 11,256
o Total Kb downloaded in March: 1,791,916 Kb (or 1.792 gigabytes!)

* Many obsolete memberships were removed last month.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again, thanks to all of you for your support and for helping make OptiBoard truly the 'Premier Online Community of Eyecare Professionals Worldwide!'

Steve Machol
OptiBoard Administrator
smachol@optiboard.com