Im open to whatever.. (with-in reason!) 
I made two board entries for review.. I would have added them if 'signed-off' on as being OK.
Im trying to grasp it all!..
and get a true understanding (as well as?) instead of just following blindly.
(maybe I shouldnt even be asking this..LOL)..
but lets take OPTIBOOT out of the equation (even though its a better bootloader that many prefer)..
and go back to the plain old Ardiuno IDE.. and using Arduino as programmer option for a second..
I have my Arduino Duemilanove wired up to the 1ISoG board.. (!ISoG = the 16MHz jig, hardware/board)..
I flash Duemilanove with the Arduino as ISP sketch.. ...wire up board..
make sure com port is right... choose - Arduino Pro/Pro-Mini @+3.3v & 8MHz entry from BOARDS menu..
and then choose BURN BOOTLOADER..
results?
Pito made reference to what may be my problem/hang-up on understanding..
flashing the bootloader to a chip != running a bootloader at specific clock speed?
If the external clock/resonator on the board used ONLY to flash the bootloader with ISNT a concern/issue..
then maybe excluding Optiboot (for now) is better, more clear?