Welcome to the OptiBoard Community Newsletter for May 2002!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Date is: 05-08-2002. This newsletter covers activity activity since 04-01-2002.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's hard to believe that OptiBoard has been running the vBulletin software for a year now. Because of all the new features and power of vBulletin, the new posts and memberships have almost tripled over what they were a year ago. And we're not going to end things here. More new features and contests are on their way! Here are just two major improvements we made on OptiBoard last month.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPROVED OPTIBOARD FILE DIRECTORY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I have updated and improved the OptiBoard File Directory. Check it out here:

http://www.optiboard.com/pafiledb3/pafiledb.php

If you have any articles, programs or other files of interest to the eyecare community, please feel free to send them to me and I'll add it to the directory.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW FORUM - OPTIBOARD SPEAKER'S BUREAU!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am pleased to announce the addition of a new forum - the OptiBoard Speakers Bureau! You can find the forum here:

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/foru...?s=&forumid=30

This is a subforum of the Education and Professional Organizations forum and is the place to look for speakers for your events and organizations, or to advertise your qualifications and services as a Speaker.

Please read the forum rules for information on how to submit your profile and to add feedback on Speakers whose courses you have taken.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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:

Jackie L (aka Ha Ha McCoy!)

Jackie (formerly 'Jackie O') has been a Member of OptiBoard since April 2000. Her interests include: 'Country Line Dancing, skiing, lounging.'

According to one of our Moderators, Jackie is deserving of this honor because of all her education and volunteer work. However it turns out the 'real' reason is: "Because she is nice and told us about her wedding and stuff!"

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

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

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

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

Title: "Luxottica sent me a Letter!" (posted 04-16-2002 by LENNY)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4463

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

Title: "Trivex" (posted 04-26-2002 by sarahr)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4536

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

Title: "AR question" (posted 04-03-2002 by edKENdance)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4357

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

Title: "Progressive Lens Design: Where do we go from here?" (posted 04-15-2002 by Steve Machol)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4446

Title: "Afghanistan" (posted 04-24-2002 by Shwing)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4510

Title: "Who is your favorite frame manufacturer and why?" (posted 12-18-2001 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3524

Title: "Luxottica, SunGlass Hut, and LensCrafters..." (posted 04-16-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4460

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

Title: "A Poly Story (sad but true)" (posted 04-19-2002 by DLChia)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4478

Title: "Who was the greatest President?" (posted 05-02-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4564

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

Title: "OPTICIAN - Adventure in Alaska" (posted 02-16-2002 by rgitlan)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=3984

Title: "Just say thankyou" (posted 04-17-2002 by Shwing)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4467

Title: "What Do Optical Professionals Wear?" (posted 04-21-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4484

Title: "Where does stupidity come from?" (posted 04-13-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4441

Title: "Your Take on Computerized Imaging Mirror Systems" (posted 03-19-2002 by Rich)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4244

Title: "The Truth About Steve Machol" (posted 04-09-2002 by Ha Ha McCoy)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4409

Title: "The Bates Method and Other Eye-Related Quackery" (posted 04-28-2002 by Steve Machol)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4541

Title: "What's your favourite John Wayne movie???" (posted 04-16-2002 by hcjilson)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4464

Title: "NCLE Course Approval" (posted 03-30-2002 by Roy R. Ferguson)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4323

Title: "Requirements for becoming eyecare providers in the UK" (posted 03-13-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4206

Title: "FTC ruling about Contact lenses on the Internet" (posted 04-17-2002 by MVEYES)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4468

Title: "The Transitions Challenge" (posted 03-10-2002 by Jo)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4165

Title: "More Trivex Questions..." (posted 05-02-2002 by Pete Hanlin)
o http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&threadid=4572

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

o New members: 84 ( 1,575 current total*)
o New threads: 223 ( 4,404 current total)
o New posts: 1,780 ( 33,751 current total)
o Total hits: 930,315
o Total unique visits: 11,151
o Total Kb downloaded in April: 2,185,975 Kb (or 2.2 gigabytes - a new record!)

* Some 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