Guys I really don't want to go down the secret society route. I've been up against those guys and I don't like it. I prefer a more civilized approach, and I do not want to go this way either:
http://laserguild.com/home.htm
The closed forum requires nomination and a few phone calls to some one, ie we talk to you and prescreen you. We then need to see some small amount of artwork or hardware.
Set this up so your joining a professional society, like the Canadian Teachers Union. Canada's Manitoba Teachers union is model. They recruit future teachers, act as the ethics board,set the standards, and mentor beginning teachers. They usually end up working with the school district, instead of butting heads.
And like the local model airplane society, we want to see your ability to fly , respect others, and make sure your not sharing the same radio channel with another flyer.
Or the kennel club, you don't just get to walk into the ring, even if you own a purebred,you have to show some token knowledge and work your way up.
But I sure as hell do not want to be a member of some cliquey, snobby, guild either.
I sense a need for phone calls and paperwork, and some way of verification of whom you claim to be.
Something like that where some discipline is required.
And I don't want to lock out the non professionals.
I don't know what to do about the "appliance operators".
Sadly, the situation possibly forces this upon us.
*****len is good reason why this is needed, and recently he has shown serious signs of reform, like starting to meet the terms set forth by others.
I'd like to hear what the 'lectronic freedom frontier/foundation folks have to say on this.
Also I do like the idea of the "magical" electrical and rigging sections.
One thing I DO NOT like is the idea of having to read 3-4 sections, just "advanced technical discussion" and "lasers" can take me 20 minutes in the morning and evening. Not to mention the lounge.
Besides, I don't trust Pat with dielectric mirror trowel. He might cut himself.
Steve