[LCtalk] Re: Lanbox dissatisfaction (Was midi cue triggering)

[Natty Simson]

Rob--

	I want to respond to your comments in your last post.  Before 
I begin, let me say that I want to be very clear that this is not 
intended as a personal attack.  Whether or not my comments are 
helpful, and whether or not you choose to listen to them, I intend 
them as suggestions and evaluations of the situation, not as any sort 
of insult to you.  In fact, I agree with many points you've made. 
The manuals can be confusing.  The software can be confusing.  You 
may not immediately be able to create the same effects you can easily 
make with your other consoles.  Yet, I really do love using the 
Lanbox.

	Let me try to explain a few things, which I'm sure others 
will reiterate.  First, it takes a while to learn any new console to 
the point of being able to understand and be able to use all of the 
functions readily enough to tour with it.  You state that Compulite 
and Strand are much quicker at programming a show; I would hazard a 
guess that you've been using them longer than the Lanbox.  Second, 
the Lanbox is a much lower cost solution.  One of the ways the costs 
are kept down is that CDS does not employ droves of people.  Fokko 
and Matthijs put an enormous amount of work into this product on a 
daily basis.  I'm sure the manuals could be written better, the 
software written better, and the hardware made better.  Not only 
would large-scale improvement work drive up the costs to the end 
user, but it really wouldn't help the average user to learn the 
Lanbox better or use the Lanbox better to a degree that this would be 
worth it.  There are in fact regular improvements to all facets of 
the Lanbox.  If you read this listserve, you'll notice users asking 
questions, and Fokko and Matthijs responding with solutions and 
fixing problems.  Often I find this level of support and assistance 
much better than that of many much larger companies.  If you found a 
bug in another company's console, I guarantee a fix would not appear 
from them overnight, which is generally what happens here.

	Third, you also state that the Lanbox is unsuitable for 
theatre.  There are many users on this list that in fact find it 
perfectly suitable for their theatre work.  Furthermore, this list 
has been polled repeatedly as to what features should be 
added/changed in LCEdit in order to make theatre work easier with the 
Lanbox.  The last few revisions to LCEdit have seen most of these 
features implemented, and users have responded to the list with 
thanks.

	The Lanbox and LCEdit are still evolving.  If you are having 
problems using it, you find that additional features are wanting, 
here is what I suggest: take the Lanbox back down off the shelf, sit 
down with it and learn the features thoroughly.  If the manual is not 
effective, try out the features yourself when you don't have a show 
the same day and figure out what they do.  If that doesn't work, 
e-mail the list.  Many people will be glad to point you in the right 
direction.  Finally, take some notes on the manuals you don't like. 
If you find errors in them, send a message.  When you find an unclear 
section, write down what would have helped you once you figure out 
the corresponding features.  Send a message out.  I guarantee you the 
manuals will be fixed.  Same goes for software bugs, etc.

	The last thing I will say is that the Lanbox is different 
from other consoles.  Every console requires some time to get used to 
how it works.  Personally, I find the ability to control lighting 
through a graphical interface an incredible time-saver -- no more 
going through paperwork just to remember which channel controls the 
dark spot the actor is standing it.  This is a very different 
approach from the majority of other consoles out there.  If your 
objective in using the Lanbox is to exactly mimic a different 
console, you will have problems.  You need to stop thinking about 
exactly how your other consoles work, and concentrate on how the 
Lanbox and LCEdit can create the lighting you need.

I hope this is some help to you, and good luck in your endeavors 
whatever path you choose.

Natty