Groundspeak Portal

Hi,
I am new here and would like to post a waymark of a local Empire Vision store. I have looked around and cannot find a category for optometrists or retail eyeglass stores. Where would something like this go?

Thanks,
Joe

True, I'm pretty sure there's not one to fit this.

There are a few issues to consider, though, if you're weighing the possibility of a new category for optometry businesses.

First, it probably is just too mundane to be of much interest.  While it is true that interest is a very personal thing, I think most would agree, however, that there is a difference between eyeglass places and, say, comic book shops.  I hope that we aren't so far down the proverbial slippery slope that we'll end up in an endless pile of retail categories.  Someone recently did post a long list of potential retail categories form venetian blind dealers to restaurant supply businesses.  I've not jumped on the "waymarking is not the Yellow Pages" bandwagon, but this might push me over the edge, to mix metaphors. 

Second, there are both large chains/franchises as well as independent businesses.  I'm inclined to think that the former far outnumber the latter  -  Pearle Vision, et. al.   Then, most Walmart stores have "vision centers" in them, as do some other department and discount stores.  Would a category include them ALL?

Third, but related to the above, is the question of prevalence.  Esp. with the national chains include, these places are just too ubiquitous.  Even when it comes to independent shops, I can tell you that where I live there is one every few blocks.  And, if you hit the right district, they are lined up, wall-to-wall for five blocks or more.  (A new one just opened up on my daily walking route to work.  That's good because I need new glasses badly.  And, maybe I'll win that car they're giving away for grand opening).

So, you may have to be content to post it on your personal blog.  But, thanks for posting your idea here.  And, if others have a different view, please share your insights.

Would an optometrist be a subset of a pharmacy, as they are filling only eyeglass perscriptions?

Going in another direction, do they have a neon sign?

I cannot speak globally, but any optometrist I could go to is a Doctor of Optometry, and it is he who writes the prescription. He may (and typically does)  have his own retail shop at which the prescription can be filled, but I can take the prescription to any other retail shop. The typical "vision center" (e.g., Sears, LensCrafters, Wal-Mart, Costco) is a corporate-operated retail facility with an independent Doctor of Optometry on the premises under contract.

That being said, I agree with Silverquill that such would be an "every other corner" type of entity bordering on ubiquitous.

Thanks for the replies. As I said I am new to this and am still getting used to things. I can definitely see where optometrists could get ubiquitous, but no more than say the Dollar Stores category which, at least around here, are on almost every block and in every mall.

It just seems to me, at a quick glance, that some of the categories are about the truly unique, yet some are about the truly mundane. I understand that people get to vote on new categories, but it seems some if the object is to capture uniqueness, then some of these categories have already ruined that idea.

I've been using a website called poifriend.com for finding things where they aren't much different from each other.

For example, I loaded Weigh station waypoints into my truck driver cousins GPS. Yes, Weigh stations could be a waymarking category. It is valuable information. But, the kind of people that are drawn to waymarking aren't much into contributing to an inventory. My perception of waymarkers are creative and talented people that like to showcase their photography, writing and research abilities. There aren't too many waymarkers that care about creagting a full inventory of every item that deosn't allow them to showcase their abilities.

gt.us:

...the kind of people that are drawn to waymarking aren't much into contributing to an inventory. My perception of waymarkers are creative and talented people that like to showcase their photography, writing and research abilities. There aren't too many waymarkers that care about creagting a full inventory of every item that deosn't allow them to showcase their abilities.

That's not exactly so. We have all types, and for different reasons. Various people perceive waymarking in various ways.

There are some who are interested only in the numbers: accumulating waymarks, loading up every possible category with every item they can find. There are those who will post just one or a few in a given category just to get that category icon in their grid. There are those who concentrate on specific categories.

As for the research, yes, there are those who truly enjoy that aspect, but at the same time there are category managers who force that, requiring more information than really necessary. There are some categories I don't bother with for that reason. There are some I don't bother with because I am bored with the subject. There are some I don't bother with because they require me to prove I own a GPSr by holding it in front of the camera (I banned GPSr photos in categories I created).

I, for one, do not perceive waymarking as a directory, and I am not about to use it as such. I don't need Waymarking.com to find a McDonalds.

All that said, you've seen responses from only a few people, so do what everyone else would do: recruit officers to qualify a group, then submit your idea for peer review. You never know: it stands just as much chance of reaching category status as the various national fast food or retail establishments.

Ok then, can somebody help with this problem please? In Western Australia I found a road bridge built with timber piers and timber girders etc etc.I thought it was well worth waymarking, but the bridge categories don't seem to include timber trestle type bridges. Should there be a category for road bridges (like railroad/railway bridges) or for the construction type like stone arch, truss, suspension etc bridges?

Also, I have noted an "orphaned" stone arch bridge (actually I know of a number of these types!). Should the waymark be repeated in different categories, or should it be listed in only one with a selection of category initially at the waymarkers discretion?

3l diesel:

Ok then, can somebody help with this problem please? In Western Australia I found a road bridge built with timber piers and timber girders etc etc.I thought it was well worth waymarking, but the bridge categories don't seem to include timber trestle type bridges. Should there be a category for road bridges (like railroad/railway bridges) or for the construction type like stone arch, truss, suspension etc bridges?

Also, I have noted an "orphaned" stone arch bridge (actually I know of a number of these types!). Should the waymark be repeated in different categories, or should it be listed in only one with a selection of category initially at the waymarkers discretion?

We have several different bridge categories but I can't think of one that includes timber trestle type road bridges (the generic railroad bridge category would accept it if it was a railroad bridge).  But depending on its construction, it could be considered a truss bridge.

You can waymark an orphan stone arch bridge in at least 3 categories, and that is fine and acceptable.  They can be listed in orphan bridges, stone bridges, and arch bridges, if they were railroad bridges they could be in a fourth category.

BruceS:

3l diesel:

Ok then, can somebody help with this problem please? In Western Australia I found a road bridge built with timber piers and timber girders etc etc.I thought it was well worth waymarking, but the bridge categories don't seem to include timber trestle type bridges. Should there be a category for road bridges (like railroad/railway bridges) or for the construction type like stone arch, truss, suspension etc bridges?

Also, I have noted an "orphaned" stone arch bridge (actually I know of a number of these types!). Should the waymark be repeated in different categories, or should it be listed in only one with a selection of category initially at the waymarkers discretion?

We have several different bridge categories but I can't think of one that includes timber trestle type road bridges (the generic railroad bridge category would accept it if it was a railroad bridge).  But depending on its construction, it could be considered a truss bridge.

You can waymark an orphan stone arch bridge in at least 3 categories, and that is fine and acceptable.  They can be listed in orphan bridges, stone bridges, and arch bridges, if they were railroad bridges they could be in a fourth category.

Hopefully there's a historic marker of some kind...

Bruce, don't you have the Chain of Rocks Bridge in like 15 categories???

Well the bridge I have noted (on the South Western Highway at Pinjarra, Western Australia crossing the Murray River) is definately a timber beam type bridge. The supporting piers are also of timber in a trestle format, but I would not include it under truss bridges. That would not be ethical, and the bridge also might be offended...
It is quite a fascinating structure for bridge enthusiasts. Anyone prepared to open up a suitable category?

3l diesel:

Well the bridge I have noted (on the South Western Highway at Pinjarra, Western Australia crossing the Murray River) is definately a timber beam type bridge. The supporting piers are also of timber in a trestle format, but I would not include it under truss bridges. That would not be ethical, and the bridge also might be offended... It is quite a fascinating structure for bridge enthusiasts. Anyone prepared to open up a suitable category?

GO FOR IT!

silverquill:

3l diesel:

Well the bridge I have noted (on the South Western Highway at Pinjarra, Western Australia crossing the Murray River) is definately a timber beam type bridge. The supporting piers are also of timber in a trestle format, but I would not include it under truss bridges. That would not be ethical, and the bridge also might be offended... It is quite a fascinating structure for bridge enthusiasts. Anyone prepared to open up a suitable category?

GO FOR IT!

Umm, I am only a basic member..... Can a premium meber help here??

3l diesel:

Umm, I am only a basic member..... Can a premium meber help here??

Okay, I've set up a group and sent you an invitation.
Open enrollment is on.

In order to be an officer, though, you need to get your premium membership.  Well worth it, in my opinion.

I have that many waymarks to plough through from a few travels in the past couple of weeks. I will try and get the aforementioned bridge forwarded asap! Thanks for your help!