It was a Craigslist find in 2004. I got two 16 channel boards, 2 dimmer packs and 2 relay packs plus a demultiplexer and an IF-501. I had NO idea what any of that was as I wanted some PAR 16 lights the guy was giving away and I went home with the rest.
I used the PARs for Halloween and the rest lived in a box in the attic. Cleaning said attic I pulled it all out, figured out what it was and decided to animate Christmas. Purchased Cakewalk and controlled the whole 2006 show with MIDI - YIKES.
2007 found Vixen, added some more dimmers (broken from EBay that I fixed) and went Vixen->DMX->MPX for 40 channels. 2008 44 channels.
Next year I'm planning on using the FG system and if wireless DMX is available, shooting data to the IF-501->MPX for the next door neighbor.
Long story but my lights flash!!!
Greg