Making Optiboard a more welcoming place!

**Steve Machol** · 07-20-2012, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by Wes

Despite the fact that the mid-Atlantic region has been hit by one of the worst non-hurricane storms in a century, and despite the fact that Judy and I have informed them of this on these threads, many still seem to want to take "snotty" (to use Ryser's term) jabs at the competence of the organizations they seek certification from. That's rather ironic.

I'm still confused. If I understand it correctly, these people are doing exactly what you and others want - taking the steps needed to increase their knowledge and expertise in a field that sorely needs both. Yet for some reason you feel compelled to ridicule and insult them because they are impatient? Does that sum it up or am I missing something?

**Wes** · 07-20-2012, 04:05 PM

I think you're missing something.

Originally Posted by OPTI_

Wonder if you're as much of a jerk in person. Just sayin'

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...l=1#post431633

But it's your sandbox. If they want to crap in it, it's not my problem, I suppose. I will make no further commentary on the misbehavior of anyone, since it only seems to get me in hot water.

**Uilleann** · 07-20-2012, 05:31 PM

We would all do well to remember that regardless of what the ABO meant or means to us personally, that others who take it come from wildly varying scenarios, skill sets, life experience and educational backgrounds. Great case in point, a local dispenser in our area from Germany, who practiced as an optometrist in Europe, didn't pass the ABO here his first round. Not because he didn't understand the material in any way - but rather he was confused by the language of the examinations questions. Even with the difficulty he experienced during the exam, he missed his passing score by a single point. He was by no means a "newb", nor unintelligent.

The judgmental tone of these boards towards individuals and companies doesn't make a community - it makes a negative, tense, and uncomfortable environment...and I dare say, anything but 'professional'.

**Wes** · 07-20-2012, 05:50 PM

Point of clarification: by newbs, I meant new to Optiboard. Obviously the ones who took and passed the advanced exam aren't newbs to the field. Also, they weren't the ones making such a fuss.
FWIW, you have an excellent point with that last post Uilleann.

**hcjilson** · 07-21-2012, 12:00 AM

I think it's important to remember exactly what the ABO and NCLE are. They both are a measure of basic entry level skills to become an optician. Everyone has to start somewhere. We all did. When we were starting out you could fill volumes of what we didn't know. Anyone who denies this is only kidding themselves. Don't put the exams down as too easy. If you think the exam can be improved, by all means join ABO and work toward that end, while at the same time supporting continuing education by not putting it down as simply as commercial ploy by the companies who provide it. Thoughts for today. best from harry

**Wes** · 07-21-2012, 12:30 AM

I know you deserve a lot of respect for what you've done with the profession. .

Originally Posted by hcjilson

I think it's important to remember exactly what the ABO and NCLE are. They both are a measure of basic entry level skills to become an optician. Everyone has to start somewhere. We all did. When we were starting out you could fill volumes of what we didn't know. Anyone who denies this is only kidding themselves. Don't put the exams down as too easy. If you think the exam can be improved,a by all means join ABO and work toward that end, while at the same time supporting continuing education by not putting it down as simply as commercial ploy by the companies who provide it. Thoughts for today. best from harry

Harry, I think this is one of your better posts. I don't mean to be self serving, but I'd like to point out that I'm not the bad guy here. I've done as much as most of you to further the profession, and I'd appreciate some respect. I know you and Steve deserve it. But so do Diane Drake and the rest of us. WE have made Optiboard what it is, not the latest troublemakers.

**hcjilson** · 07-21-2012, 05:09 AM

Hear! Hear! Well said. No good guys/bad guys, I respect most of what appears here even if I disagree. All of your (everyone's) contributions have made this site what it is and after watching it grow into what we have made it become, I am extremely proud of it.

**Chris Ryser** · 07-21-2012, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Machol

I can certainly understand that, but in all fairness we were all newbies at some point. The mere fact that someone is taking the time to seek out knowledge and advice from a community of professionals should be rewarded, not discouraged. These are the people we should be helping.

I'm sorry for the bad apple, but unfortunately such people are a fact of life, particularly in the online and anonymous world of the Internet. It's important to keep in mind that you will always run into jerks wherever you go. The only thing within your control is how you respond. Don't let the jerks get to you. They really aren't important enough to give them any power over your life.

Thinking back to the times when consumers where allowed on OB and sneaked in as newbies and played the role as low or semi knowledgable opticians.

I remember foroever one active newbie optician under the name "Snowbunny", I was able to track her down, including picture, as a Toronto member of companionship agency. How are you going to prevent consumers that need some answers for on line puchases from posing as innocent newbies ?

**chip anderson** · 07-21-2012, 09:46 AM

No matter how long we have been in this business, no matter how much we studied, no matter how much we learned. You can still fill volumes with what we don't know.

Chip

**pseudonym** · 07-21-2012, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by PhiTrace

Wes,

You are beginning to sound dangerously like me with your attitudes. If I can tune your focus a bit. Keep in mind you recognize that the newbies are being brought into this system that is broken, I agree whole heatedly. Once they are here we should nourish them and watch them grow. Now if you want to focus your attention, look at the ones who have had nourishment for years and still ask dumb questions, still ask the same dumb questions, that have never bought a book, etc. If these weeds are allowed to grow they take nourishment from the flowers that can bloom. If the newbies were nourished they would choke the weeds out.

I resent being called a weed, especially when it's done by a "bud." I'm no dope. Gave the stuff up years ago. Still like crazy little songs about it, though.

**Browneyes1208** · 07-21-2012, 09:17 PM

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the "tips" post. I have learned so much on there. I have worked for my optom for 16 years and 8 years prior to that for ophthalmologists (as a drs assistant)....but, I have worked in the optical lab for the last 9 years when our lab girl just up and quit one day. Needless to say, I had to teach myself most things...so even though I have been in the business for many years, every bit of help I can get is appreciated. Like I said, I have learned a lot from the tips board and even have passed them on to the docs. Thank you so much for wanting to help those of us who "don't know it all".

I have really appreciated it

**GAgal** · 07-23-2012, 08:19 PM

I'll be glad to help out Fezz

**harry a saake** · 07-24-2012, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Browneyes1208

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the "tips" post. I have learned so much on there. I have worked for my optom for 16 years and 8 years prior to that for ophthalmologists (as a drs assistant)....but, I have worked in the optical lab for the last 9 years when our lab girl just up and quit one day. Needless to say, I had to teach myself most things...so even though I have been in the business for many years, every bit of help I can get is appreciated. Like I said, I have learned a lot from the tips board and even have passed them on to the docs. Thank you so much for wanting to help those of us who "don't know it all".

I have really appreciated it

Yes, and that was the exact reason i started that thread, some 10 years ago or so, as you can see it has grown into the most looked at post, that pertains to optical only, that we have on the board. However i have always been a little disappointed in the amount of members that we have that have not added anything to it. I am sure for one Chip Anderson, when he,s not out mudding(southern thing), for one could add a lot to that thread, HOW ABOUT THE REST OF YOU??

**MakeOptics** · 07-24-2012, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by pseudonym

I resent being called a weed, especially when it's done by a "bud." I'm no dope. Gave the stuff up years ago. Still like crazy little songs about it, though.

There was absolutely nothing in my posts pointing a finger or insinuating you or your posts. I am not sure if I should take offense to that or not, I will insinuate that you were joking or being funny, but as I have been told in the past this is a professional forum and crude behaviour is not tolerated so cut it out before I report you.

(I was just kidding I could care less what you think or post and found that to be a little funny, anyway carry on.)

**Chris Ryser** · 07-25-2012, 03:02 AM

Originally Posted by harry a saake

Yes, and that was the exact reason i started that thread, some 10 years ago or so, as you can see it has grown into the most looked at post, that pertains to optical only, that we have on the board. However i have always been a little disappointed in the amount of members that we have that have not added anything to it. I am sure for one Chip Anderson, when he,s not out mudding(southern thing), for one could add a lot to that thread, HOW ABOUT THE REST OF YOU??

Bravo Harry.................................for a good wake up call.

These day's where you can find just about any answer on the regular and specialised search engines, as well as the hundreds of optical websites of wich I have a list of over 900 of them, dedicated to OptiBoard, at: http://optochemicals.com/web_listing.htm from every field in the optical, from commercial to educational, anybody can find tons of information in the optical field.

Your thread is all thats needed for new and fresh opticians to pick up good ideas and how to apply them on the job. Most of the questions asked already have an answer there, and the ones that have not, can easily be answered.

**pseudonym** · 07-25-2012, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by PhiTrace

I am not sure if I should take offense to that or not,

Not. If the owner of the board isn't tickled, he has the power to have it removed.

Your post about weeds , however...Are you the same guy who banged out a long, informative answer on your phone pad to a new optician who came in with a question a few months ago? I was so impressed that I sent you a friend request.

My definition of weeds in the garden are those who evangelize about the need for more education, yet never stoop to contribute any to new people who come here seeking it. You know this already, I'm just taking the opportunity to inform the rest.

**pseudonym** · 07-25-2012, 08:25 AM

Originally Posted by Browneyes1208

I can't tell you how many times I have gone to the "tips" post. I have learned so much on there. I have worked for my optom for 16 years and 8 years prior to that for ophthalmologists (as a drs assistant)....but, I have worked in the optical lab for the last 9 years when our lab girl just up and quit one day. Needless to say, I had to teach myself most things...so even though I have been in the business for many years, every bit of help I can get is appreciated. Like I said, I have learned a lot from the tips board and even have passed them on to the docs. Thank you so much for wanting to help those of us who "don't know it all".

I have really appreciated it

There's no substitute for experience- which you HAVE. I'm licensed but that paper only means I'm a good test taker. I took notes on the thread you're speaking of while I was in school, and I still refer to them. Please contribute something new there if you can think of something that hasn't already been covered. It won't be easy. By the way, welcome to optiboard.

**Browman** · 07-30-2012, 10:42 AM

Just wanted to say that this thread was a contributing factor to my finally joining; and that the attitude I encountered here on Optiboard as a lurker was a contributing factor to my hesitancy to get into opticianry at all.

**Diane** · 07-30-2012, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Browman

Just wanted to say that this thread was a contributing factor to my finally joining; and that the attitude I encountered here on Optiboard as a lurker was a contributing factor to my hesitancy to get into opticianry at all.

I understand...both. Welcome, my friend.

Diane

**oopsmyeye** · 07-30-2012, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by hcjilson

I think it's important to remember exactly what the ABO and NCLE are. They both are a measure of basic entry level skills to become an optician. Everyone has to start somewhere. We all did. When we were starting out you could fill volumes of what we didn't know. Anyone who denies this is only kidding themselves. Don't put the exams down as too easy. If you think the exam can be improved, by all means join ABO and work toward that end, while at the same time supporting continuing education by not putting it down as simply as commercial ploy by the companies who provide it. Thoughts for today. best from harry

Did anybody else get an email from ABO asking to take a survey so they could revamp their test questions? I liked how they had the sections where they would pose an opticians duty and ask when an optician should be able to complete the task (adjusting frames, transposing +/- rx, over refracting contacts) and they had 3 different options: Within the first 2 years practicing, after 2 years practicing, never. It gave me good reflection on what the basics of opticianry should be, what the more advanced parts are and some things I would like to learn to be an even better optician (and some things I would like to be able to do but state laws don't allow).

**tx11** · 07-30-2012, 02:59 PM

I find it to be more welcoming when operational and marketing issues are being discussed than when technical/education.certification is being discussed. Many members do encourage and not just complain and criticize. For this i am grateful

**MakeOptics** · 07-30-2012, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by pseudonym

Not. If the owner of the board isn't tickled, he has the power to have it removed.

Your post about weeds , however...Are you the same guy who banged out a long, informative answer on your phone pad to a new optician who came in with a question a few months ago? I was so impressed that I sent you a friend request.

My definition of weeds in the garden are those who evangelize about the need for more education, yet never stoop to contribute any to new people who come here seeking it. You know this already, I'm just taking the opportunity to inform the rest.

I knew what you were getting at and if you scroll to the bottom of that post I was just kidding with you. Seems that a great number of folks here can find a way of being offended about anything so I find myself treading carefully. That means less of the more descriptive posts to avoid upsetting the internutters. (the term internutter might even be too harsh, I don't know) :) Anyway I made it to 200 posts, then got kicked off, then re-enstated and I am still not really sure why but I thought about getting rid of this name and starting fresh, which I just might do. I can't honestly say things would be different a second time around since we are who we are. I think I told someone to "man up" which is a very common expression among guys.

**oopsmyeye** · 07-30-2012, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by pseudonym

There's no substitute for experience- which you HAVE. I'm licensed but that paper only means I'm a good test taker. I took notes on the thread you're speaking of while I was in school, and I still refer to them. Please contribute something new there if you can think of something that hasn't already been covered. It won't be easy. By the way, welcome to optiboard.

I know what you mean by being licensed being equal to having good test taking skills. I started in a Costco working as a morning stocker, was cross trained for a few hours on a few different shifts, read the study manuals and passed both ABO and NCLE exams. Granted I was a chemistry and physics double major, opticianry was the end goal for my Costco time and optometry was my long term end goal... My manager at Costco had been a dispensing optician for 5 years and still couldn't pass the ABO exam.

**pseudonym** · 07-30-2012, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by PhiTrace

I knew what you were getting at and if you scroll to the bottom of that post I was just kidding with you. Seems that a great number of folks here can find a way of being offended about anything so I find myself treading carefully. That means less of the more descriptive posts to avoid upsetting the internutters. (the term internutter might even be too harsh, I don't know) :) Anyway I made it to 200 posts, then got kicked off, then re-enstated and I am still not really sure why but I thought about getting rid of this name and starting fresh, which I just might do. I can't honestly say things would be different a second time around since we are who we are. I think I told someone to "man up" which is a very common expression among guys.

I didn't scroll to the bottom until after I'd posted, but I did understand you were joking. Our senses of humor must be in pretty good tune. I didn't know you were booted from the island for any length of time, but glad to see you back. Changing your name is just hooey. You are who you are. FWIW you're ok by me.

**pseudonym** · 07-30-2012, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by oopsmyeye

I know what you mean by being licensed being equal to having good test taking skills. I started in a Costco working as a morning stocker, was cross trained for a few hours on a few different shifts, read the study manuals and passed both ABO and NCLE exams. Granted I was a chemistry and physics double major, opticianry was the end goal for my Costco time and optometry was my long term end goal... My manager at Costco had been a dispensing optician for 5 years and still couldn't pass the ABO exam.

Your mgr had optical experience but poor test taking skills. We have unlicensed apprentices in our business who make minimum wage, yet can do great adjustments, instantly steer patients away from frames that are unsuitable for their Rx or facial characteristics, and generally ARE FAR BETTER opticians than I am with my newly minted license.

Tell the truth, was your mgr a better optician than you with your ABO/NCLE?