Comments on: 21 Ways to an Easier Programming Life

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:18:41 +0000

Fantastic stuff! I have not done lighting work for about 2 & a half years and have started doing it again now but using different consoles like the Avolite Pearl / Touch & Expert. Thanks to you i can relive the glory days using different consoles. I would appreciate it if you would post an article about advanced programming for these desks. The Whole Hog 2 was the desk i started with back in 2000 and is one of the best next to Martin LJ. Keep up the good work! Ciao

By: Michael C

Michael C — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 16:36:19 +0000

Like billy an article about patching would be very useful.

By: BillyR

BillyR — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 06:24:43 +0000

I’ve been doing lighting for a while now but every venue ive been to the patch work and addressing has already been done in house… I would like to know how to do this before I go back out… any how to website suggestions…. please help

By: charles coursrr

charles coursrr — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:47:52 +0000

That would be assuming your working on an avolites console. You can get off line editors for almost any console. But they don’t do much good shy of patching and setting up groups unless paired with a visualizer. MA would be the exception the stage. view can help you rough in beam positions.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:35:40 +0000

- Take photos /videos of good show looks/sweeps. Keep in your puter.

- Buy an Avolites Diamond 4 Simulator and carry it in a briefcase
with a back-up copy of the software and the param file with all
your programs. This investment in your job will ensure you always
can run a show within about 20 minutes of arriving on site.

By: charles

charles — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 06:13:25 +0000

very well put…

only thing i would recommend.. is a big bold SAVE YOUR WORK after each number…..

By: wrath

wrath — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:17:02 +0000

awesome find. thank you very much.

By: Steaders

Steaders — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 07:36:58 +0000

A great article Rob. I’ve not yet played with moving heads or anything other than conventionals, but most of this list of tips is still useful.

By: Doug Claus

Doug Claus — Mon, 25 May 2009 16:44:43 +0000

I just wanted to say that when using rental boards I have found it very handy to bring my own keyboard and mouse. You never know what you are going to find when you crack open case. This will save you time if you are stuck pecking on a touch screen trying to lable cues.

By: Jake Sliv

Jake Sliv — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:36:35 +0000

A very well put summary of the things we all learn trough the years. For me it boils down to something I’ve learned long ago from an army instructor: “No matter how good you may be at your trade, your work is only as good as your workplace is organized.”
A few bits I’d like to add on the matter:

Locate and put close to yourself a trashcan of some kind and (for the love God!) an extra table or case at your side, since eventually (and rather hopefully) somebody will be coming over to offer you something to drink and you wouldn’t want it on the same table with your desk. Smokers like me should locate an appropriate ashtray (if smoking is appropriate in the place at all).
Take time in arranging additional lighting for your workspace. I find that the goosnecks aren’t usually enough for lighting the notepads and laptops you set around your console. As sun sets or the house lights dim, you woun’t have the luxury to worry about that.
Make sure there are plenty additional outlets of power handy. It’s also important to arrange and secure and even mark all the cabling after setting up the desk.
While programming and setting up the system I tend to set myself timelimits for different tasks, thus keeping the flow under control and making sure I get all the tasks done within the production scedule.
BACKUP!! there’s no such thing as too much of that.

Cheers
Jake