ecordo

You can't file N-400 online yet, but will be able to soon.
IOE is the first 3 letters on receipt notices that are processed at the Integrated Operating Environment. This is a computer system used to process cases, part of ELIS (or otherwise interacts with ELIS, not sure the details). Overall they are trying to digitize the whole USCIS process slowly over time (taking longer than they expected and more $$$) and the first ones to be done are I-90 and soon N-400.
If you filed with the new N-400 form, even though it's still paper, it's being digitized and put into this system. Since you have an IOE #, you did this. Benefits to this is all your notices, including Finger Print and Interview Notices show up online. You an also respond to Requests for Evidence online and upload documents, cutting down on time to go back and forth between customer and USCIS (that's the goal anyway).
NBC which is National Benefits Center was the receipt number given on the previous application editions that didn't use this new system.
People have noticed that the old forms are going faster, and the easiest way to see if someone filed with the old forms is their receipt number starts with NBC. So people talk about filing IOE/NBC when discussing their timeline.
Does that clear up your confusion?

Has anyone else heard of the big wait times / cases being stuck with these new IOE case numbers?
Apparently, N-400 applicants who used the new form (posted online in April, I believe) are given an IOE case number instead of an NBC number. N-400 applicants who submit the old form get a NBC case number.
It seems that although the form has been used by applicants since April, no-one has received an interview date yet or have their case status "in line for interviewing". Meanwhile, NBC numbers (ie the applicants who submitted the old form) seem to be processed very fast.
It seems that IOE folks' cases aren't moving past biometrics while NBC folks' cases speed ahead!
USCIS web site says that from 10/1, the old forms will not be accepted. Hopefully they stick to this deadline (they've already extended it once before).
More discussion here: http://mail.trackitt.com/usa-discussion-forums/n400/1655760285/reciept-number-starting-with-ioe/page/5 and in the April filers thread.
This makes me so depressed, like there's going to be a very, very long wait! If I'd known, I would've used the old form... But how was I to know!
I hope things get moving... Some encouraging words from other VJers would really help me right now lol

Good luck July filers!
Adding some useful links below:
Early filing calculator: http://www.uscis.gov...Calculator.html
Locating your local field office: http://www.uscis.gov...e/field-offices
Name change information: http://www.visajourn...nges/?p=7066213

Oh!
I think what the others are saying is that you may not make it before your biometrics.
That's what we thought you were asking.
There's nothing wrong with traveling after sending your applications.

from what i have seen from the past 7 months of posts on this topic about biometrics and when to expect them... it seems they are scheduled for around 21 days after they have received the application/initiated the NOA (notice of action)
I think you may be in the timeframe of still travelling when they may schedule your biometrics...
is there any way you can delay sending your application for 3 - 5 days? that should give you an extra 3-5 days on the scheduling...perhaps get your friends to mail it?

The Vermont Center doesnt do anything? The good thing is that I don't need to worry because I can see that others with a similar file date are also still waiting. Its now nearly 7 months.