USFCA's new website: changes in certification

[parryDoh]

The USFCA new website looks great. I seems they have changed the certification program somewhat. From what I understand its now possible move through all levels of certification in just one weapon if you want =) http://usfca.jangostudios.biz/Certif...3/Default.aspx

I noticed they also have a new book on the list of resources for Moniteurs that wasnt on my old study material I printed out several months ago. Foil Technique and Terminology By Jean Jacque Gillett. Anyone else notice any other changes in the program? I will be looking through the USFCA glossary for any changes as well. Want to be fully prepared when i take the test and practical.

[noodle]

The USFCA new website looks great.

its an improvement, but it is seriously hard to read sometimes, and i see some black text on black background. good change, step in the right direction, needs more work to knock out kinks.

[oiuyt]

I think my favorite bit so far is that it has a fake ad posted.

edit: looks like it was launched while still in build-out phase. It'll be interesting to see what new features get added that weren't previously available.

-B

[Jason]

Someone needs to explain why there's picture of a Pole taking a lesson on the site.

Love it or leave it.

[MdA]

The USFCA new website looks great. I seems they have changed the certification program somewhat. From what I understand its now possible move through all levels of certification in just one weapon if you want =) http://usfca.jangostudios.biz/Certif...3/Default.aspx

I noticed they also have a new book on the list of resources for Moniteurs that wasnt on my old study material I printed out several months ago. Foil Technique and Terminology By Jean Jacque Gillett. Anyone else notice any other changes in the program? I will be looking through the USFCA glossary for any changes as well. Want to be fully prepared when i take the test and practical.

Thanks for starting this thread on the new website. Yes, you can now certify through all four levels, Assistant Moniteur, Moniteur, Prevot d’Armes, and Fencing Master in a single weapon..or two or three.

The glossary has not changed …other than formatting…so the old copy you downloaded earlier should be good for study. The book by Gillet has been part of the USFCA study materials for many years. Swordplay books is currently out of stock. We plan to make a pdf copy available on the website in the near future…under the subscribed members area. You can contact me by PM to locate a copy if you plan to test in the very near future.

its an improvement, but it is seriously hard to read sometimes, and i see some black text on black background. good change, step in the right direction, needs more work to knock out kinks.

Sorry about the format. The black on black text has been documented in a list of issues. The volunteer webmaster, Rick Thompson, and the developer will be working to correct the issues.

I think my favorite bit so far is that it has a fake ad posted.

edit: looks like it was launched while still in build-out phase. It'll be interesting to see what new features get added that weren't previously available.

-B

That advertising space is available. Anyone interested please contact me or Rick Thompson by PM. As noted, we are rolling out the features of the new web site in stages. We will be adding the online membership application and dues payment in the next week. Current members will receive login IDs and passwords within the next couple weeks to access the member features listed under membership benefits.

Non-members can register on the website and access features listed under the “info” tab.

Thanks for your comments. We are working to improve this website for all fencing coaches. Please continue to post your comments on any issues or errors in this thread or send me a PM.

Please check it out at www.usfca.org

[Rick Thompson]

OK, yes, it was launched before it was perfect. We decided to put it out there even though there were some issues. We're fixing them as we go along.... Suggestions are welcome, but give us a little while before complaining - chances are we already know about the problem you've found and are working on it...

Whadya mean a fake ad? I personally intend to open a company called "Sharp and Pointy, Inc".... Just a little advance publicity....

There have been some changes to the certification information - mostly in publishing updated and more accurate information. Questions about the cert info can be directed to the Certification Board, whose contact info can be found on the bottom menu item under "Certification."

As for the graphic with the Pole taking a lesson. That's actually a picture of a Notre Dame coach giving the lesson (used with permission) - I don't know who the fencer is, and actually didn't notice the flag on his rear leg. Thanks for pointing that out - PhotoShop to the Rescue!!!! But do you know how HARD it is to find a good picture of coaching? good fencing pictures abound (as do lousy ones) - but good coaching pictures are more rare than platinum hen's teeth. If you have some worthy pics, please send them along!

[JEC]

My login does not work, and the forgotten password function is not working either.

[Allen Evans]

I suspect that all of us will have new logins sent to us shortly.

AE

[MdA]

..... Questions about the cert info can be directed to the Certification Board, whose contact info can be found on the bottom menu item under "Certification."

As for the graphic with the Pole taking a lesson. That's actually a picture of a Notre Dame coach giving the lesson (used with permission) - .....But do you know how HARD it is to find a good picture of coaching? good fencing pictures abound (as do lousy ones) - but good coaching pictures are more rare than platinum hen's teeth. If you have some worthy pics, please send them along!

The fencer is Notre Dame's Karol Kostka from Krakow. He was awarded USFCA "All American" certificates at the 2007 and 2008 NCAAs.

The coach is Notre Dame's epee assistant coach Marek Stepien ...also a Poland native.

Thanks Rick for your many hours of volunteer work on this project...and congratulations for passing your Fencing Master certification at this Summer's USFCA Conference at Bucks County Academy of Fencing.

I will try to find some coaching pictures for you.

...and yes login IDs will be forthcoming for current members...

[parryDoh]

...and yes login IDs will be forthcoming for current members...

Any ETA on this? i was needing to take the online examine soon. If it going to be more then a few weeks then I may need to request the offline version.

[oiuyt]

Any ETA on this? i was needing to take the online examine soon. If it going to be more then a few weeks then I may need to request the offline version.

There's an ETA posted on the website:

Website Features to be added August 29 - Sunday, August 24, 2008
By Friday, August 29, new features will be added to the USFCA website, which include:

Member Access: All current USFCA members will be able to log in and access the "Members Only" regions of the website.

Oh, you meant an ACCURATE ETA... :)

I'd ping Rick Thompson directly to get a status update if I were you.

-B

[MdA]

Any ETA on this? i was needing to take the online examine soon. If it going to be more then a few weeks then I may need to request the offline version.

I will send you a PM with the email of the CAB Secretary, Rob Madril. He will send you the link to the online Moniteur exam with a password.

Rick is a little busy getting the online payment function working.

[Phrogger]

Any word as to when the online payment function will be up? I'ts a bit past 9/2, so I'm just wondering If I should go ahead and do snail mail.

[MdA]

I will contact the webmaster today for a new ETA.

[Phrogger]

Just FYI site now says 9/11.

[MdA]

On a related topic...I just renewed my US Fencing Association (USFA) membership online on the website. It was easy and straightforward...checked the waiver boxes...and got a receipt in time for next week's local competition. This is a step in the right direction.

I recommend this option for coaches with fencers who need to renew quickly and don't want to wait for a return FAX or a membership card.

I wish the family membership was online....and the next step online registrations for NACs, JOs and Nationals!!!

[noodle]

On a related topic...I just renewed my US Fencing Association (USFA) membership online on the website. It was easy and straightforward...checked the waiver boxes...and got a receipt in time for next week's local competition. This is a step in the right.

I recommend this option for coaches with fencers who need to renew quickly and don't want to wait for a return FAX or a membership card.

I wish the family membership was online.

to note, you didn't renew on the usfa website, you renewed with a contract partner that charges you a surcharge to use their service.

[Phrogger]

Not to beat a dead horse, but the site still says online registration will be up by 9/11. Guess I'll go with snail mail.

[MdA]

Not to beat a dead horse, but the site still says online registration will be up by 9/11. Guess I'll go with snail mail.

Phrogger you can download a pdf of the membership application from the new website and send it to Secretary Paul Schimelman.

The horse is not dead yet so go ahead and take another whack!

Got an email from our volunteer webmaster this weekend. I guess he had a busy week and could not get the pay online function operating. He will try again this week.

If you are not going to a clinic or taking or giving a certification exam in the very near future...I suggest you hold onto your membership dues until the site is operating. Of course, we would like to take your money...but the process is actually a lot smoother if you wait.

You can update your personal contact information yourself in the online database and check your certification level against what we have in our DB. Also you payment will go automatically to the treasurer and there is no typing into the DB for the Secretary.

So unless you have a USFCA sponsored event coming up very soon, I would wait...also you will get your website login ID and set your password all in the same process. If you are worried about missing the next Swordmaster newsletter...I will check with the editor and see when the next one is going to be delivered. The next edition is the Fall 2008 edition. I will see if we can delay delivery until after members get a chance to renew online.

[Epee Scherma]

The fencer is Notre Dame's Karol Kostka from Krakow. He was awarded USFCA "All American" certificates at the 2007 and 2008 NCAAs.

The coach is Notre Dame's epee assistant coach Marek Stepien ...also a Poland native.

The website looks much more professional than before, a real step forward.

I just wanted to say that I don't think the fencer in this picture is of Karol Kostka because he is right handed -- I happen to know Marek quite well so when I get a chance I'll find out who this student is out of curiosity.