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Thread: Let's Improve OptiBoard!

  1. #1
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Let's Improve OptiBoard!

    As good as I think OptiBoard is, I know that we can do even better. I have a few ideas in mind, and in fact you can see some of these ideas in recent changes I've made, i.e., Optical Industry News, OptiBoard Book Reviews, OptiBoard Resource Directory.

    What would you like to see on OptiBoard? Are there any improvements or additions you'd like to see implemented? Anything we should get rid of? I can't promise to do them all, but I am definitely serious about getting your ideas for making OptiBoard an even better resource for everyone.

    So let's hear your ideas and suggestions! :)

    [Edited to add suggestions]

    Submitted suggestions:

    o 'Framespotter' Forum
    o Spell Checking (for IE users try ieSpell - A Spell Checker for Internet Explorer)
    o Chat
    o Product Review Forum
    o Computer Help Forum
    o Educational forum for both ABO study guides/texts (suggestions of study materials)
    o A sub-forum for the various optical schools to contribute information about their schools.
    o A state license requirement forum
    o 'Ask the Experts'
    o Make sure people know registration is free (done)
    o Contact Lens Forum
    o 'Unregistered' Forum for the Public to ask questions (on further thought I do not want to implement this. It opens the Board up to lots of potential abuse, spam, porn links, etc.. Boards that have done this have loads of problems.)
    o OptiBoard Members Services Directory (aka 'Affiliates')
    o OptiBoard Windows Plus Theme (screensaver now available at http://www.optiboard.com/pafiledb3/p...ion=file&id=20)
    o Lens Info Forum
    o OptiBoard Album (Gallery)
    o Online Convention or Meetings
    o Customer Service Forum (see http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...0360#post40360)
    o OptiBoard World Map
    o Up-to-date Links page


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  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy Hamlin's Avatar
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    How about framespotting? Every now and then there is a request for the frame of a certain celeb. Why not, like some of the optical magazines, post links to the celebs in the frames.

    Just a thought.
    ~Cindy

    "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." -Catherine Aird-

  3. #3
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    SPELL CHECK Chat

    If we could restore these two features it would be very nice!

    If we could have an opinion section on which frames are JUNK and which frames are highly superior without entering into the food chain of liability, this would be nice also.

    Chip

  4. #4
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Cindy Hamlin said:
    How about framespotting? Every now and then there is a request for the frame of a certain celeb. Why not, like some of the optical magazines, post links to the celebs in the frames.
    Good idea. But can't you just start a thread about this or is something else required on the OptiBoard end?


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  5. #5
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Re: SPELL CHECK Chat

    chip anderson said:
    If we could restore these two features it would be very nice!
    Chat will definitely be restored in the future. Spell check will be if the service ever becomes available again.

    If we could have an opinion section on which frames are JUNK and which frames are highly superior without entering into the food chain of liability, this would be nice also.
    How about a 'Product Review' forum? Would that serve the same purpose? If so, how would you suggest structuring it?


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  6. #6
    Bad address email on file OptiBoard Gold Supporter Sean's Avatar
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    Idea

    Steve,
    This may seem way out there.......but you asked ;)What about a "Computer Help Forum" . For all of the optical,retail and at home user software that is out there?. :idea:

  7. #7
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Yeah Sean, I think you or someone mentioned this one before. Certainly I'm all in favor of adding a forum if enough people ould use it. What does everyone think of a 'Computer Help Forum'?


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  8. #8
    Bad address email on file OptiBoard Gold Supporter Sean's Avatar
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    Steve Machol said:
    Yeah Sean, I think you or someone mentioned this one before. Certainly I'm all in favor of adding a forum if enough people ould use it. What does everyone think of a 'Computer Help Forum'?
    I did at one point....but the idea was pretty mute at the time.But there are alot of members on the OB with a great deal of knowledge and support for the programs that we use from day to day at work or at home.

  9. #9
    OptiBoard Professional bren_03825's Avatar
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    Thumbs up Computer Help

    I for one would be more than happy to help any optiboard member with my meager knowledge of computers, systems, networks, and software. Please don't hesitate to contact me, and Steve, I definately would like to help contribute to a Computer Questions Forum, or something like, feel free to contact me anytime.:) :cheers:

  10. #10
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Thanks Brendan!


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  11. #11
    Master OptiBoarder Cindy Hamlin's Avatar
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    Steve,
    It could also encompass the different optical software programs. I constantly see posts asking for input on the various programs.

    As far as the framespotting, yes it could be a thread. But my thought was if it is a thread it will die and ressurect itself. If a forum it may have more life. Just my 2 cents!

    What about a sub-forum under the educational forum for both ABO study guides/texts (suggestions of study materials) and a sub-forum for the various optical schools to contribute information about their schools (no offense to Laurie). They could list if they have distance learning. It would be similar to the optiboard speakers list in that they could post a blurb about their school and program.


    A state license requirement forum.

    OH.....I am on a roll!
    ~Cindy

    "If you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning." -Catherine Aird-

  12. #12
    Bad address email on file John R's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    I can see a whole site developing here.
    Some of the ideas Cindy has come up with like state licences could be developed into something other than a forum.
    I like the idea for the various schools to submit details etc..
    I know steve has been looking at "Cms" to broaden the sites info.
    .
    .
    ""Optiboard your one stop optical shop""

  13. #13
    Bad address email on file OptiBoard Gold Supporter Sean's Avatar
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    Smilie Count Me In

    Steve Machol said:
    Yeah Sean, I think you or someone mentioned this one before. Certainly I'm all in favor of adding a forum if enough people ould use it. What does everyone think of a 'Computer Help Forum'?
    Steve,
    If you decide to go that route i'll be more than happy to help out with anything from network backbones,software,WAP,hubs,routers.........ok enough you get the idea :bbg: :bbg:

  14. #14
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Just letting you know that I've updated my first message to include the suggestions so far. I'll keep adding new suggestions as they appear.


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  15. #15
    Bad address email on file ioconnell's Avatar
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    what about....

    When the "ask the experts" thread started it recieved widespread interest, what about making it an important thread or maybe a pernament fixture?

    maybe clearly stating that registraion is free might also encourage new members to sign up?

  16. #16
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Good ideas Ian. I've added them to the list.


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  17. #17
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    I just updated the message that unregistered users see to add the words:

    Registration is free!


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  18. #18
    Master OptiBoarder MVEYES's Avatar
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    Lightbulb Steve

    How about an area to discuss contact lenses? I think several of us fit them.






    :cheers: Jerry
    The mighty oak tree was once a little nut that held its ground

  19. #19
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Added to the list. Thanks!


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  20. #20
    Bad address email on file John R's Avatar
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    Wink

    We get the odd member of public posting here, so i guess there must be quite a lot more who just view posts to find what they want, or a to frightned to ask..
    Could we start a open to unregistered forum for general public to ask the expert, I know registration is free but a lot of folks still balk at having to enter details just the same...
    Also how about a list of where you could go to get the best "optiboard" service from members. Could even maybe start a "Optiboard" affiliates scheme. (maybe a small donation to the board fund would help too).

  21. #21
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Thanks John. Added to the list. What do you mean by an OptiBoard Affiliates scheme?

    Alsio does anyone have any comments or opinions on the suggestions so far? I'd like to get an idea of which ones have broad support.


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  22. #22
    Bad address email on file optigoddess's Avatar
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    How about.....

    setting up a poll on the items listed?

    Just a thought....it's early for me & I'm still nursing my cup of coffee.


    I definately like the idea of product reviews (especially since there are always things you might want to try but maybe are hesitant to because you "just don't know" ?)

    I don't know how this would work but I am thinking that it might be better to set it up so that the review would be done in a survey-type format....maybe categories such as "rate the frame on ....." 1 thru 5.

    My thinking on this would be that "flaming" would be kept to a minimum as it would be just data. ?????

    Karen

  23. #23
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Yep, I plan to have a poll on these options. The product review idea is definitely one I'd like to pursue. But this needs to be done with caution. I want legitimaqte unbiased reviews which means we'd have to set up some sort of guidelines and perhaps pre-approval of the reviews prior to publishing. Perhaps we can have a panel of OptiBoarders 'review' the reviews first.


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  24. #24
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    By the way those of you who are interested in the spell checking feature and who use Internet Explorer, you can download a free plugin called ieSpell.

    "The program installs as a new button in the IE toolbar (as well as a new menu item under "Tools") - after filling in a form, just hit the ieSpell button and it pops up a dialog, similar to the MS Word spell check."
    I haven't tried it yet but I've heard it's great. You can get it here:

    ieSpell - A Spell Checker for Internet Explorer


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  25. #25
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Thumbs up

    P.S. I just installed and tested ieSpell and it works great!


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