ILDA Member

[buffo]

That's a good question, actually.

There's no doubt that ILDA is far more active in the US than abroad. I do know that they've been instrumental in trying to standardize regulations around the world by pushing to get everyone to adopt the IEC regulations in favor of each country's own individual regs. (Which is why now here in the US you can exempt your projectors from portions of 21 CFR 1040 in favor of the more relaxed IEC rules.) But as to any specific work they've done in the UK - well, I'd have to say that I can't really think of anything off the top of my head.

Perhaps this is a question best asked of Rob or Jeremy...

Adam

[andy_con]

no worries, cheers for trying

[Bradfo69]

I figured I'd stir something with my comment.

I too, pay my dues and am a Corporate Level 3. I realize the need for ILDA on an intellectual level. I just SO wish there was something that made me feel more warm and fuzzy about my $250. Like... send me my updated membership certificate for 2013 that hangs in my office - it's almost 2014 now and the one from 2012 is what I stare at above my monitor. Update the web site more than once a year. There USED to even be a periodic magazine. Something... hell, maybe a keychain, perhaps? Or... a simple e-mailed receipt for my dues last year, just so I have it for tax purposes. We even used to get pretty regular conversation e-mails with members discussing things or, offering things for sale and I have not seen one of them in over a year. It's kind of moved to Facebook. I've just seen nothing tangible that the organization has done for well over a year.

I'd even consider volunteering for a committee but, as I look at the list of committee's there is nothing I feel qualified to assist with. I just have a hard time sometimes with the value for the dollar when the argument is brought up over what ILDA stepped in and did in 1995. The annual conference is the one big thing they do and I plan on going in 2014 but, even the value of that - and the attendence at that - is far outweighed by the experience and knowledge gained at SELEM at this point, according to people who have done both. What has ILDA done to further the industry as compared to say, some of the ingenuity and inventions of some of the more high level hobbyists here?

Just my rant... In a few weeks I'll still be firing off another $250 for 2014. Not trying to knock your enthusiasm JD. (I'm just avoiding doing real work I should be doing. lol)

[andy_con]

there have been similar conversations at the UKLM. i could pay an eletricity bill with that $250, that eletricity powers my lasers, my cnc, my TV my whole house. i can see exactly what i get for my money there.

I figured I'd stir something with my comment.

I too, pay my dues and am a Corporate Level 3. I realize the need for ILDA on an intellectual level. I just SO wish there was something that made me feel more warm and fuzzy about my $250. Like... send me my updated membership certificate for 2013 that hangs in my office - it's almost 2014 now and the one from 2012 is what I stare at above my monitor. Update the web site more than once a year. There USED to even be a periodic magazine. Something... hell, maybe a keychain, perhaps? Or... a simple e-mailed receipt for my dues last year, just so I have it for tax purposes. We even used to get pretty regular conversation e-mails with members discussing things or, offering things for sale and I have not seen one of them in over a year. It's kind of moved to Facebook. I've just seen nothing tangible that the organization has done for well over a year.

I'd even consider volunteering for a committee but, as I look at the list of committee's there is nothing I feel qualified to assist with. I just have a hard time sometimes with the value for the dollar when the argument is brought up over what ILDA stepped in and did in 1995. The annual conference is the one big thing they do and I plan on going in 2014 but, even the value of that - and the attendence at that - is far outweighed by the experience and knowledge gained at SELEM at this point, according to people who have done both. What has ILDA done to further the industry as compared to say, some of the ingenuity and inventions of some of the more high level hobbyists here?

Just my rant... In a few weeks I'll still be firing off another $250 for 2014. Not trying to knock your enthusiasm JD. (I'm just avoiding doing real work I should be doing. lol)

[buffo]

I hear you Brad. SELEM is definitely more informative than any ILDA conference I've attended. And I agree that there have been some very cool projects that have come out of the hobbyist community that we have all benefited from. By comparison, I can't think of any technical item that's come from ILDA in the last decade that I've been able to use.

All that being said, however, there is one fact you can't ignore. ILDA's response to the Aquamarine Rave incident is something that we as a hobbyist community could never have accomplished, let alone accomplished in such a timely manner. When the shit hits the fan like that, there are some things that are just beyond our ability, and that's where ILDA comes in.

Yes, I'd like to see more information on the ILDA website, and it would be nice to get more interaction with them, but in the end it's still worth it to support them in my opinion, because they're the only real ally we have.

Adam

[polishedball]

Who's proDJallen?

[buffo]

Who's proDJallen?

Dude, you're going straight to hell - on the EXPRESS TRAIN!

Adam

[mixedgas]

Case in point. Trashy Tabloid TV show picks up on the Vegas incident and starts talking to everyone from Pilots to US Senators. Well, everyone but professional laserists. They hire a helicopter and rent a few lasers and searchlights to conduct their own "tests" with a laser illuminated helicopter at point blank. Laser rental company (non-ILDA) gets worried and calls ILDA. Result: ILDA members use the aircraft to make ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS and manage to somewhat moderate the damage, by getting a opposing word in. My bet is the pilot flying the "test" felt a lot safer with some of the best known names in Show Safety involved and riding in back.

Actual measurements come in very handy with the later formation of the SAE G-10 Lasers in Airspace safety standards committee, which had consequences that spread around the world.
ILDA has a seat on G10 and regularly represents laser display at regulatory events. ILDA talks with a variety of regulators, scientists, and other users of Lasers in Airspace. While not publicized, this has often resulted in much better conditions for Laserists.


In the UK, for example, this resulted in what the UK knows as CAP 736 instead of a possible total ban.

ILDA has been known to move very fast in emergencies, even though it's charter forces it to move very slowly in non-emergencies.

This month, for example, Pat Murphy was interviewed for Smithsonian Air and Space Magazine's article on the Laser Pointer Problem. No one else seems to defend us, save for ILDA members.

Steve

[JD3]

Thanks for chiming in guys

I like that I am supporting a cause, and can be a part of an intellectual community such as ILDA

[LaserWizard]

Be sure and attend the conferences if at all possible, the people I've met and relationships I've made have been invaluable over the years. That's the best part for me. I won't pay for Justin Timberlake tix I'll just call up my ILDA buds who are working the show and get the backstage tour (well, that's my plan at least - I know everyone on that press release list personally from going to ILDA over the years!)

Tim