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Topic: New forum addition?

Heyward Garner
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 101
From: Winston-Salem, NC, USA
Registered: Jan 2001

posted 03-04-2001 02:58 PM

Wow...
I would like to throw in my two cents. I do believe that nearly evry single company will have a dissatisfied customer. Sort of like every movie will have people who both love and hate it. HOWEVER, it would be interesting to see how one particular problem with "dealer a" turns up. What if we find out through posts that several others are having the same problem with "dealer a", then that would be a warning for us to go out and tell "dealer a" that they have a serious problem which needs to be resolved. Therefor I would say go for it, and if it doesn't work out, then can it.

I would also like to add, that I am highly in favor of a "How-To" section. Like a Tool Time forum or something A forum where people can ask how to's like changing a solar cell, or aligning with a B-Chain... I like that idea... =)

John Eickhof
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 588
From: Wendell, ID USA
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 03-04-2001 08:19 PM

For Greg & Heward.. I think we already have the help section covered fairly well, At least I know that many calls for help on the forum are answered by many who actually provide do-able things to remedy a situation, but in-depth details of 'A' & 'B' chain alignment, or simular significant adjustments
would tend to get quite lengthy, and then there is the variable of 'person 'a' EQs this way...person 'b' does it that way...etc.. There are standards set for nominal major adjustments of both sound and picture equipment already published and available,
thus I beleive these types of adjustments be handled at training seminars and the like as offered by manufacturers, and dealers, and ITEA and such. I would volunteer for presentations at a 'Film Tech' technical seminar if one were to be arrainged, but there are many field variables and other
things that I think would hinder an overall effectiveness of such involved details on a forum. Of course, the individule 'HELP ME' stuff is great! as it brings a lot of great response from forum users, and it appears to get the job done quite well! (I've learned a lot about stuff I thought I knew since first
logging onto this forum!) Again I think, keep it as-is! Job well done by Brad!

------------------
John Eickhof President, Chief Slave
Northwest Theatre Equipment Co., Inc.
P.O.Box 258
Wendell, ID. 83355-0258
208-536-5489
email: jeickhof@nteequip.com

Randy Stankey
Film God

Posts: 6539
From: Erie, Pennsylvania
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-04-2001 10:09 PM

I'd like to see a "How-To" section because I want to see how other people do things like A-Chains. I have my own little tricks and y'all have yours.

Problem is, I find that in a lot of cases that I have to do a lot more work simply because somebody else tinkered with something. For instance, I had the A-Chain set up just the way I like it. A few weeks later I came back to the theatre and I tossed in a Dolby loop just to see how it was doing. It was Waaay off. I thought something was busted and I spent a whole lot of time trying to find out why the lateral guide rollers had moved. Come to find out that there was a "sound problem" in that house. The exciter didn't switch on like it was supposed to. So somebody decided to go randomly turning knobs and stuff. Boy! Was I peeved!

The point is that I'm afraid that putting up an in-depth how-to section would encorage that kind of tinkering.

What I'd vote for is more of a "troubleshooting" section that talks about things like "What to do if the lamp won't strike" or "Why isn't there any sound?"

How about a "nomenclature" section? How many people have you spoken to that use the wrong names like "GATE" when they mean "PAD ROLLER"? (Or "TAPE" when they mean "FILM? )

Rick Long
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 759
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 03-04-2001 11:36 PM

Re; the forum, if it works, don't fix it.

I have to agree with Randy on the "how-to" forum. A little (emphasis on "little") knowledge is a dangerous thing.

I too have had set-ups disturbed by well-meaning booth personel. I don't get upset at them, just patiently explain that there is a reason we use test-equipment when we do alignments, test equipment that the average theatre can't afford, and most of the personel would need training to operate. (Experience don't hurt either).

Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-06-2001 01:20 PM

On the "How To" idea:

How about a series of flow charts to help diagnose problems. You start with "No sound" or whatever, then progress thru yes/no answers to find the problem.

Matt Basford
Film Handler

Posts: 19
From: Nashville, TN, USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-06-2001 07:05 PM

I like Randy's idea for the "troubleshooting" section. I think this would be a place for good information but but 'too much' information.

Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-06-2001 09:15 PM

Brad,
I'd vote to leave things the way they are. I would still like to see a dealer advertisement page as many of us provide specialized things and services that others do not. I also like the idea of a how to page, and this simply goes back to my idea of having how to workshops at Showest in the future. I think there are many very capable people here that would be of great help to others.
It is also time that Film-Tech is represented live, and on-line, at both Showeast and Showeast.
Mark @ GTS

All times are Central (GMT -6:00)

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