Welcome to the OptiBoard Community Newsletter for March 2002!

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Today's Date is: 03-09-2002. This newsletter covers activity activity since 02-01-2002.
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Earlier this week OptiBoard broke the 30,000 mark for posts on the Board. We've certainly come a long way from the days when I would have to delete messages when we got more than 1000 messages on the board! I just want to thank all you wonderful people who have helped make OptiBoard the fantastic community it is.

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OPTIBOARD NEWSLETTER SPONSOR'S MESSAGE
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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..

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VISION EXPO EAST - MARCH 14-17, 2002
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Contributed by Live Eyewear:

This years show is going to be spectacular. With Expo West cancelled, many new products, programs and technology will be seen for the first time. There is also a wide variety of great entertainment, including a special night at the Hard Rock sponsored by Live Eyewear, Eyecare Business, Zeiss and Burton. (Complimentary passes are available at either company's booth.)

We have planned a fantastic production and I am sure that many other companies have as well. It is an opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to meet that should not be missed. The available seminars focus on specific topics that help your business, your sales and your product knowledge.

For more info on the show, visit this site:

http://www.visionexpoeast.com/App/ma...42&appname=192

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OPTIBOARDER MEETING AT VISION EXPO EAST!
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I am pleased to announce that there will be an OptiBoarders meeting at Vision Expo East on Saturday, March 16th at 1:00pm. The folks at Live Eyewear have kindly allowed us to use their booth (#3955) for this meeting and will provide beverages. If you are going to Vision Expo then be sure to stop by and say hi to all tyour fellow OptiBoarders. You can read more about this event in this thread:

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

And don't forget to visit our sponsor's booths - Transitions (#2350) and Live Eyewear (#3955). Be sure to thank them for their support of OptiBoard!

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OPTIBOARD SPONSORED FORUMS!
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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.

And don't forget that there are still other sponsorship opportunities available. For more information, please visit this page:

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/anno...?s=&forumid=24

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

ioconnel

Ian is just 15 years old and a resident of the town of Corofin in County Clare (pop 300). He has become one of OptiBoard's most active members even though he's not in optics (yet!) As one of the Moderators said,"I really feel that he has made the board a better place for his having been here. He has enlightend us with his knowledge of Irish History, world history, and geography, as well as his wit and search for knowledge."

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

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

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

Title: "Licensed Optician or optical technician?" (posted 03-02-2002 by Dannyboy)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4091

Title: "What's in name?" (posted 03-02-2002 by kjw1231)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4090

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

Title: "Problem Solving 101 ..." (posted 02-28-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4081

Title: "Moving? Beware of Allied Van Lines!!!" (posted 02-27-2002 by Steve Machol)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4062

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

Title: "Dr. James E. Sheedy, O.D. PhD speech and paper at OAA 1998 leadership Conference" (posted 02-24-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4030

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

Title: "Big Brother is Watching London" (posted 02-21-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4014

Title: "Another Riddle" (posted 02-20-2002 by Night Train)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4008

Title: "Girl Scout Cookies!!!!!!!" (posted 03-04-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4102

Title: "OD's getting it from all sides" (posted 01-25-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3796

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

Title: "Any Good Joke lately" (posted 02-27-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4054

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

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

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

Title: "The Organization of Opticianry" (posted 02-07-2002 by Bev Heishman)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3911

Title: "Who runs ABO/NCLE?" (posted 01-20-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3752

Title: "The Euro" (posted 01-01-2002 by ioconnell)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3600

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

Title: "National & State Organizations" (posted 05-29-2001 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=2046

Title: "Base Curve Selection" (posted 01-29-2002 by jimbobby)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3826

Title: "Tom Daschle" (posted 03-01-2002 by Darris Chambless)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4087

Title: "Congenital Astigmatism" (posted 12-20-2001 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3539

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

Title: "New product release?" (posted 01-01-2002 by hcjilson)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3598

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

Title: "Frame Warranties" (posted 02-14-2002 by kjw1231)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3969

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OPTIBOARD STATISTICS
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We had the following activity in February:

o New members: 94 ( 1,471 current total)
o New threads: 233 ( 3,964 current total)
o New posts: 2,156 ( 30,131 current total)
o Total hits: 876,469
o Total visits: 10,911
o Total Kb downloaded in February: 1,646,640 Kb (or 1.647 gigabytes!)

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