DiyLightAnimation

Fun => The Porch => Topic started by: hbomb341 on July 15, 2011,

Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on July 15, 2011,
Anyone attending LSH Academy?

Figured we could do a DIY meetup and chat during Dinner on Saturday and that class class slot in the Attendee lounge if their is intreats (and you don't want to attend one of the other 3 classes at that time).

I will have one of almost everything with me for people to check out and also will have my PickIt if someone needs a chip flashed.

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: steve_hirst on July 15, 2011,
I wish I could but work gets in the way this year.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 15, 2011,
Whats the date I would like to go if I can.

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Dennis Cherry on July 15, 2011,
Here you are:

http://www.academy.lone-star-holidays.com/

Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on July 15, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Whats the date I would like to go if I can.

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ

Aug 6 & 7 Would LOVE for you to come.

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dmoore on July 15, 2011,
I'll be there and will be presenting a three part LightShow Pro training class.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: mykroft on July 15, 2011,
wish i could come, having a hard time wrapping my head around LSP - alot of the tutorials I have read/viewed all are using 2.0 beta I assume and alot I want to do I can't do it 1.8 without a TON of work doing trial and error .... :(

Anyone going want to videotape (if that is ok) for the rest of us to see?  :)

Thanks
Tony
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dowdybrown on July 15, 2011,
Yes, I will be there. Might bring an xLights demo if anyone is interested.

Matt
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on July 16, 2011,
Definitely be interested in the xLights demo Matt.

I'll be there, teaching a couple of classes as well.  Wordpress and something about junk from the garage.

Should be another great LSH Academy.

Ron
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: JonB256 on July 16, 2011,
I'll be there.  All reserved and driving down Friday.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dmoore on July 16, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
alot of the tutorials I have read/viewed all are using 2.0 beta I assume and alot I want to do I can't do it 1.8 without a TON of work doing trial and error .... :(

There are only two videos that I know of that show 2.0 "in action".  The majority of the features and methods in 1.8 and eariler will apply to LSP 2.0.  Look around at these videos:

http://www.vimeo.com/user2845592

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Anyone going want to videotape (if that is ok) for the rest of us to see?  :)

Generally for paid "minis" there is not a video of the classes though sometimes instructors will release their slide decks.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on July 16, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Anyone going want to videotape (if that is ok) for the rest of us to see?  :)

Generally for paid "minis" there is not a video of the classes though sometimes instructors will release their slide decks.

Before this blows up (typically does - I have helped plan several of these and it comes up every year - I am not the spokes person for this just spent a TON of time nodding on this) - there is NO restriction on this but more of a technical and logistical.  LSH has a basic idea of EACH instructor (unlike some events) has the rights to THEIR presentations so each one can make the call the distribute or not.

As someone who has taught multiple times and has also tried to think of a solution to provide the material without a DEDICATED person (who wouldn't be able to enjoy the Academy) doing it per class room. It isn't as easy as some people like to think "Toss a Cameria up in the back of the room" - the speaker ideally is mic'ed or dubs the audio after the fact - screen and show and tell items really need a 2nd camera capture this and edited in after the fact. Audio levels need to be check on every class switch and camera moved depending on the instructor ..... It also involves instructures being VERY proactive in the way they do things which isn't natural for most people - you need to repeat EVERYTHING that is said in the room so it is recorders (IE Questions) or it get very disjointed. Also the BIG one for me - if you give people and EASY way out to NOT come a LOT will choice it (Yes the opposite side can be argued here of not able to make it, travel, etc .... not in state ....) but BOY it would SUCK to do these presentations to a empty room and you wouldn't be able to get this caliber of instructors and event in no one showed up.  Think about it if no one showed up - there would be NO WAY to do an event like this.  I may be byes but I think LSH does an AMAZING job recruiting some GREAT instructors and try the best to diversify the material each year.  They also the cost is AMAZING for $65 you get 2 meals, a workbook, an AMAZING location (this is the single largest COST), and much much more.  Years before at a smaller location (National Funeral Home Museum) and cost under $40 still AMAZING!!!!

I personally have no problem sharing my presentations but the entire PPT maybe has less then 50 works and is much more of an outline for myself on what I talk one.  Plus IMHO over half the event is sharing and helping other and the social piece.  Just think about how tough it is to videoing your display now add 30 to 50 people in your front yard ... I have always thought it would be cool to do this but no easy to do and LOTS of questions ... Who pays the costs (rent equipment / storage or what not - doesn't seam fair the people their pay), someone monitoring the video and audio LIVE, post editing and distribution.  If someone has the perfect solution would LOVE to hear it and can start working on it for NEXT year (Yes LSH 2012 Academy Planning has ALL ready started) but right now 3 weeks out (plus 3 months out from setup) for 4 class rooms (~64 Hours of video would be needed), and over 20 different classes / instructors unless YOU also want to do it there is no way to do it this year.

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 20, 2011,
Well it turns out that JJ and I will be at the Lone Star Academy. I talked to the people putting it on and they even fit me in late afternoon Saturday for some time to talk.

Hope to see all of you there I will be showing our newest toys off. I think you will be pleased!

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: steve_hirst on July 20, 2011,
looks like I may have worked out a way to go after all. keep your fingers crossed.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on July 21, 2011,
Sweet!  I finally get to me RJ face to face.  And JJ too, this is too good.

You flying the plane over?

Ron
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 21, 2011,
We are flying in a plane. But alas not ours.  :(
RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on July 21, 2011,
Look forward to seeing you there RJ -  <pop..

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Dennis Cherry on July 21, 2011,
Maybe the new Aether will make the trip with RJ & JJ. >.d9
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dmoore on July 21, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Well it turns out that JJ and I will be at the Lone Star Academy. I talked to the people putting it on and they even fit me in late afternoon Saturday for some time to talk.

Hope to see all of you there I will be showing our newest toys off. I think you will be pleased!

RJ

I talked with David Petryk and he expects to also be there and if there are two kindred soles it would seem to be you two guys.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: typoagain on July 22, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Well it turns out that JJ and I will be at the Lone Star Academy. I talked to the people putting it on and they even fit me in late afternoon Saturday for some time to talk.

Hope to see all of you there I will be showing our newest toys off. I think you will be pleased!

RJ

Too Cool!
[/color][/size]
[/font][/size]
Make sure I get to shake your hand.
I'll be the dumb looking guy with the gray hair and the lost look on his face.[/size][/color]  ;D

Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: TheBanker on July 23, 2011,
I'll be there. A bit worn out but I'll be there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 23, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I'll be there. A bit worn out but I'll be there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Your not walking are you?   :D

RJ
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: TheBanker on July 24, 2011,
Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 27, 2011,
Anyone that is coming that could bring a completed and functioning SS hub and power supply for me to use for the demo? I loaned out one of mine and not sure I have time to get one built with what I am working on. This would help me on space and weight in the suitcase also.

RJ

Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: steve_hirst on July 28, 2011,
I have mine put together but have not tested it yet. I'll test and get back to you but it shouldn't be a problem. also David Moore and Harrison will probably both have theirs there also If not many more.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: therealbigjim on July 28, 2011,
Leave room for your video camera, and get a clip of your presentation for us slugs stuck at home.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on July 28, 2011,
I haven't built mine yet but I can if I need too.  I think Harrison might have his done.  I'll email him and see.

Ron
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: steve_hirst on July 29, 2011,
I think Harrisons on vacation till the 2nd.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dmoore on July 29, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Anyone that is coming that could bring a completed and functioning SS hub and power supply for me to use for the demo? I loaned out one of mine and not sure I have time to get one built with what I am working on. This would help me on space and weight in the suitcase also.

RJ

RJ -

I have a hub, power supply and 8 controllers (plus some lights) I'll bring.

David
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dmoore on July 29, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I think Harrisons on vacation till the 2nd.

On a cruise!  :)
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on July 29, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I think Harrisons on vacation till the 2nd.

On a cruise!  :)

Probably why he hasn't responded to me.  I'm back from out of town too, lol.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on July 29, 2011,
Great! that helps me if I get tight on space.

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on August 01, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I think Harrisons on vacation till the 2nd.

Yes I am - and I can bring it - All ready had it packec.

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 01, 2011,
Is anyone able to bring an Express and Lor unit and let me use them to demo in my class?  I have both but they are very large to try to fit into the luggage. I just need the lor setup for like channel #1 and for it to be able to use DMX which all of the ones in the last few years does.

Please let me know so I can plan how I am fitting all of this stuff in the suitcase.  <fp.  I really think TSA is going to have a heart attack when they see all this electronics in my suitcase. I will be lucky to make it to the show.  <wd..

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: dowdybrown on August 01, 2011,
Yes, I can bring an LOR unit and an LE. I will also probably have a hub and a handful and ssc's.

Matt
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on August 01, 2011,
I'll have at least an LE and probably a Freestyle and some other Lynx parts.

RJ what class are you teaching, is it on the schedule?

Ron
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 02, 2011,
Ok great! I am going to count on it guys so I am not bringing the Express or Lor units.

I am not on the printed schedule as they added me on afterwards. It will be at 5 pm on saturday and will be announced. This is at the end of the day. I might see if I can get a few pizzas delieveried so we can can make it a fun get together class/demo. I think everyone that attends will be interested. At least I hope they are.

I have some pretty neat new things to show. As well as a annoucement or two.

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: fertsy on August 02, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I have some pretty neat new things to show. As well as a annoucement or two.


The anticipation is killing me!
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Greg Young on August 04, 2011,
Will any parts of the event be webcast (like the Carolina mini was) for those that can't attend in person?
To be clear I am not asking if the presentations are going to be videotaped/uploaded to the web. Been there, done that!
Greg
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on August 04, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Will any parts of the event be webcast (like the Carolina mini was) for those that can't attend in person?

Earlier Rant: http://diylightanimation.com/index.php?topic=5511.msg89079#msg89079

As of right now (2 days out) the quick answer is NO - but I haven't header any window of this.  This isn't a "mini" WAY different type of event 6 rooms over 12,000 sq. feet - also EACH instructive retains the rights to their presentations and has the choice to share, pictures, video, etc .... I can tell you I have no plans to webcast my presentations well for the excuses of I will be presenting and don't want to deal with the extra work of it so I can put it back into my presentation for the people their ...

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Greg Young on August 04, 2011,
Thanks Harrison:

I saw your initial comments, which related to videotaping/sharing the presentations. That was not what I was asking about, as having been involved in PLUS 2005, and 2007 I am very much aware of the tremendous undertaking that involves, when you are running simultaneous venues. It just doesn't work.

I was simply asking if any parts of it were going to be webcast, especially if a vendor is there and plans to share his/her latest and greatest offerrings. It provides a larger audience for him/her, and contrary to popular beliefs that kind of "press" actually will probably serve to stimulate more interest in attending a future event rather than less.

The setup is easy using a simple webcam, USB'd into a laptop, with all of the autolevels built in. The only real issue is a streaming web source. Webcasting can be done by a member of the audience, not an event organizer (like Tim H does when he travels to events and sets it up on his own (with prior event organizer approval of course).

It's no big deal. You have decided you don't want to offer that, which is fine. I just wanted to inquire to be sure that nothing was planned, as I have part of Saturday open, and would have tuned in.

Have fun this weekend!

Greg
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 05, 2011,
Well JJ and I are here in the Lone Star State! 

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: JonB256 on August 06, 2011,
I'm here too. RJ is speaking right now.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: shaunkad on August 06, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I'm here too. RJ is speaking right now.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

well fill us poor shlubs stuck at home in then.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: shaunkad on August 06, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I'm here too. RJ is speaking right now.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Dennis Cherry on August 06, 2011,
RJ let the cat out of the bag.

He also video taped most of the class until the camera battery died.

Wow what he has in store for the future.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: steve hughes on August 06, 2011,
shoot, he let the WHOLE litter outa the bag!!! <pop..  gooooood things are a comin'!!!! >.d9
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 06, 2011,
Well considering we shut the building down and you guys were still asking questions! :-)

Wow what a turn out, I figure a few people but man so many people turned out for my talk they had to move us to the main hall. I could not believe it!

I think the camera batt died just as I got to the good stuff.

As I have said before thr LSH guys throw a heck of a get together and they do it right!

Man I hope we can do the expo half as well it would be awesome.

Got to get some sleep as we have another long day of academy and then a late flight home with a hour drive home. Should be home around midnight.

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Gary on August 07, 2011,
I'd love to know when a video or a basic transcript of upcoming stuff is going to be posted.

I can't really justify coming to these types of events because of the distance, especially being in Canada and all.
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: PJNMCT on August 07, 2011,
Ok you guys. You can start posting anytime now...

Gotta hear the news!

-Paul


---
- Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: rrowan on August 07, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Ok you guys. You can start posting anytime now...

Gotta hear the news!

-Paul


---
- Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk

Rumor has it that RJ is cloning himself to get things done :)

I heard RJ had a big crowd and they enjoyed the Q&A session

Rick R.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: trekster on August 07, 2011,
Ok you got my attention.  I am listening........
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on August 07, 2011,
Ok, I'll share. Rj cloned himself two years ago.....,just joking.

RJ introduced his new stuff including showing us the etherdongle, the conductor and the slave to the conductor. The conductor and slave are basically an etherdongle with daughter boards added. The conductor will store up to 400 minutes of a show with sequences and music. It basically schedules and plays your show with no computer. Oh yea, it handles 16,384 channels. The slave communicates to the conductor, wired or wireless, and adds another 16,384 channels and syncs the show with the conductor. You can add as many slaves as you need. Whew. Does your head hurt yet?

That's it in a nutshell.

Ron
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: PJNMCT on August 07, 2011,
Thanks Ron.

-Paul


---
- Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 07, 2011,
 Thanks guys for having me.

But a few things I annouced that we should add.

The wireless for the system if you run wireless only sends a 8 bytes of data once every second and can lose connectivity for up to 6 seconds with no ill effects. So the conection is not critical. That same data can operate 1 slave or 100 With no additional load on the system or your computer. No matter how big you get you can not overload the system. It can be controlled three different ways.

xLights have partnered with me to provide the software utility to allow those using Lsp,Lor or Vixen to seqence to load the seqence to the conductor/slave units.

LSP has agreed to partner with us to provide seamless support for Conductor/Slave setup.

One of the major lighting vendors many of us use in the community has agreed to partner with me to have smart strings manufactored with the SSC built into the strings as one of the famous green blobs that we are use to seeing on the normal led strings. They are here in the states and will have them stocked. This will save in shipping and give us someone local to deal with and quality control being greatly improved. I believe this is all great news.

Very Exciting times for us!

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: abrianbaker on August 07, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
One of the major lighting vendors many of us use in the community has agreed to partner with me to have smart strings manufactored with the SSC built into the strings as one of the famous green blobs that we are use to seeing on the normal led strings. They are here in the states and will have them stocked. This will save in shipping and give us someone local to deal with and quality control being greatly improved. I believe this is all great news.


This is AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!!    <res.  <pop..
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: PJNMCT on August 07, 2011,
What a great move.
Nice way to leverage the smart strings.
-Paul


---
- Sent from my iPad2 using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: bwhite505 on August 07, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login

One of the major lighting vendors many of us use in the community has agreed to partner with me to have smart strings manufactored with the SSC built into the strings as one of the famous green blobs that we are use to seeing on the normal led strings. They are here in the states and will have them stocked. This will save in shipping and give us someone local to deal with and quality control being greatly improved. I believe this is all great news.

Great news indeed.  Will this happen in time for this year? 

RJ thanks for all your hard work and dedication to our blinky flashy addiction.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 07, 2011,
I do not think it will ready this year. Much for us to work out.

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 07, 2011,
Also forgot to say we have a person who will be working on iphone and android apps to remote control the new system so we can control it for testing ect from the.yard.

RJ

Sent from my Charge by Tapatalk

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Dennis Cherry on August 07, 2011,
RJ you forgot you demoed the Aether II  unit also.

That is a biggy also.

1 RGB LED out performs everything now available for our users. What a unit.
Title: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Ron on August 07, 2011,
Oh yea, all that stuff RJ and Dennis added. There was soooo much it was hard to process it all.

RJ thanks again for taking the time to come out and share with us. It was great to finally meet you and JJ.

Ron
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: bwhite505 on August 07, 2011,
Iphone app.... <;d >.d9
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: rrowan on August 08, 2011,
Shouldn't this info be reposted in the announcements section? So everyone will see it

Rick R.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: hbomb341 on August 08, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Shouldn't this info be reposted in the announcements section? So everyone will see it

Rick R.

I am sure when some one (cough cough RJ) does a more detailed post and info ... that is where it will be.  I think we all will admit and RJ is the same - want to pull together all the info in one spot and post it to make it easy for people to find and not have to search and look in 10 spot to get 90% of the questions answered.  I know RJ had a LONG travel week and most of us did (Personally didn't pull into my drive way till 12:07am this morning - and from the time I left the office Friday to NOW is the first time I have been on the computer).  Also remember this even goes from 8AM till 8PM (in 6 rooms - 4 classes at a time over 2 days) then dinners and people wanting to just chat.  Doesn't leave an hour for someone to sit down and punch out stuff on the computer - you will miss something.  Think about someone live blogging a baseball game AND soccer game at the same time - not going to work.  LSH and RJ both does this all volentier and on their own time ... so left people do it at their own speed.  I am sure RJ like to sit down with his family, watch a TV show or two, do his real job, ... do nothing for an hour .... so thing will come when they come.  No one is going to DIE because it takes a few days for this info to get write up and posted and for Free info people get REALLY demanding.

Harrison

Harrison
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: rrowan on August 08, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Shouldn't this info be reposted in the announcements section? So everyone will see it

Rick R.

I am sure when some one (cough cough RJ) does a more detailed post and info ... that is where it will be.  I think we all will admit and RJ is the same - want to pull together all the info in one spot and post it to make it easy for people to find and not have to search and look in 10 spot to get 90% of the questions answered.  I know RJ had a LONG travel week and most of us did (Personally didn't pull into my drive way till 12:07am this morning - and from the time I left the office Friday to NOW is the first time I have been on the computer).  Also remember this even goes from 8AM till 8PM (in 6 rooms - 4 classes at a time over 2 days) then dinners and people wanting to just chat.  Doesn't leave an hour for someone to sit down and punch out stuff on the computer - you will miss something.  Think about someone live blogging a baseball game AND soccer game at the same time - not going to work.  LSH and RJ both does this all volentier and on their own time ... so left people do it at their own speed.  I am sure RJ like to sit down with his family, watch a TV show or two, do his real job, ... do nothing for an hour .... so thing will come when they come.  No one is going to DIE because it takes a few days for this info to get write up and posted and for Free info people get REALLY demanding.

Harrison

Harrison

Huh? Aren't you taking my post to the extremes?

Chill out bro

Rick R.
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: JerryPlak on August 08, 2011,
 >.d9  2012 is truly be a fum Year!    <pop.. <pop..
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 08, 2011,
Harrison is like me, his style of writing can be read more aggressive then he intends it to.  If or when you meet him you find that his personality is very different than what some people read it as. I am as bad and I wish it was not true.

A bunch of us were even kidding him about it saturday night.

He is correct in that there just was no time to try and do the stuff and post the stuff. JJ & I have been busy and moving, with the exception of the 6 hours of sleep each night, non stop. I just got out of bed as we got in close to 1 am this morning. It really excited a lot of the people there, and I had a hard time making classes because people just could not get enough of talking about how this changes everything and how it plays into their shows and just can not wait for it to be ready. It was also exciting for dad and I to just get to see the excitment in it all. We had just the greatest time you could imagine. We were not only asked to come back next year they even offered to have us merge our DIY Expo into their event to have it as one big one there in Texas. I think it is something we should talk about at the DIY Expo next year. 

Those that were there can tell you, at 6:30 they came in and annouced the breakouts sessions for LOR, ect were starting and the people  were so interested in the new stuff no one moved. It was like they were glued to their seats. I thought there would be some people interested but it was far beyond what I expected.

You are correct Rick while we have been posting in here for those asking in this thread what was going on, I will have to write a dedicated post for all of the information. I have not seen it, but I believe the camera did not get a lot of the really important stuff so it will not get the job done.

We will see.

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: deweycooter on August 08, 2011,
I wish I had known you were going to be there!  I was on vacation leading up to last weekend and had a prior volunteer commitment on Sunday, but I might have been able to make a stronger plea to the wife to let me out yet again.   :o 

I will say, though, it's been fun watching your products and the DIY mindset do an about face in the past couple years.  The last time I went to the academy was in 2009, and Ron did a class on DIY and demonstrated the LE - only a half dozen or so attended.  I couldn't believe it.  A mere 24 months later - you have everyone's attention!!
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: cvyvial on August 08, 2011,
I wanted to thank RJ and JJ for traveling all the way to Texas to be part of the Academy. I can attest that the days were full. I only got a few hours of sleep Friday and Saturday night. The doors opened at 8:00 am both days and I know of people that said at midnight they were still talking Christmas. That is a full day! I really enjoyed RJ's discussion Saturday night. Even though I have struggled with all the terminology and how this stuff works together it was eyeopening to see what can be done. I think I will need to get in on the next order!

Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Gary on August 08, 2011,
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
xLights have partnered with me to provide the software utility to allow those using Lsp,Lor or Vixen to seqence to load the seqence to the conductor/slave units.

LSP has agreed to partner with us to provide seamless support for Conductor/Slave setup.

One of the major lighting vendors many of us use in the community has agreed to partner with me to have smart strings manufactored with the SSC built into the strings as one of the famous green blobs that we are use to seeing on the normal led strings. They are here in the states and will have them stocked. This will save in shipping and give us someone local to deal with and quality control being greatly improved. I believe this is all great news.

This all does sound fascinating. Specifically, does this mean that it would be possible to use LOR's Showtime software to do sequencing for Smart Strings? Would the conductor be a requirement for this? I'm using Vixen at this point for my 100 or so Express channels along with 5 Aethers, and don't think Vixen (the current version at least) will allow me to easily seqence a show consisting of several thousand individually addressed Smart String Pixels for "my fans" during the month of December. LightShow Pro sounds pretty good, but the requirement for a very fast PC along with reported bugginess seems to be a bit of a deterrent for me. Looking at the cool stuff that Superstar lights can do (which is now Integrated into LOR Showtime) with LOR's Cosmic Color Ribbons, it would be awesome if you can do it with RJ's Flexiable strips (or other RGB LEDs, or that matter). Lightshow Pro's ability to map video on RGB pixels seems pretty interesting, but it's hard to get long sequences of video to be in beat with the music. I'm not interested in having people to park in front of my home just to watch TV in low-definition.  :P

Personally though, RJ (if you're keeping track) I don't find much of a need of a standalone sequence player since I have a laptop set aside for only blinky flashy anyway.

But the idea of Smart Strings (and flexible strips?) with controllers built-in, at improved quality levels, and not paying for ridiculous shipping costs from China is something that I love.

P.S. Does LOR's ShowTime software currently support (natively, without add-ons) Express controllers, Aethers, and your Dongle? I suppose it does since it works with DMX?
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: RJ on August 08, 2011,
Wow this is a lot to try to answer in one post but I will do the best I can to answer the questions.

1 - There should be two ways to handle this. using Xlights or just using the Lor s3 that has support for E1.31 protocol. This is the protocol that the etherdongle uses itself. So the answer is yes.

2 - No the conductor would not need to be used. There are three ways to use the system only one does not use the computer.

3 - You may not want a standalone but many many people do and this plays into a limitation as we grow channels as the computer gets bogged down. The conductor removes this while providing hardware reliability to the scheduling instead of a computer and the issues that sometimes come with them doing it. Just do not use one that is the beuty of it. The system allows many ways to operate to work for you insteads of you having to work the way it does.

4 - Yes have a second way of getting the lights does provide a help. although users will still be able to order their own as we do now and build their SSC's themself this will not be going away it is just another options for those that would prefer to have it more confortable to them.

5 -The current version of LOR can not run my dongle you need there Idmx to get DMX from it. But I need to add the new version of LOR will run the EtherDongle directly based on the information they have already published of ther support for E1.31 protocol So it can be plugged directly in and used.  They also say they are coming out with a cheap DMX dongle to use with their software.

Gary thats the best I can do in short order but I will be posting more info in the coming day or so.

RJ
Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: Unibits on August 08, 2011,
I was there too. RJ's little and I use little totally in the wrong text here was like watching the pied piper.  Everyone followed with drool dripping from their lips.  An excellent display of what can happen when someone develops a product that simply fills a need. 

Much respect RJ.

Title: Re: Lone Star Holidays - Academy 2011 - Anyone going?
Post by: therealbigjim on August 08, 2011,
Thank you for the update. Makes me look forward to the Expo next spring even more.