hi everyone, i've been lurking (ok i've posted too) on this forum for a few weeks and thought i should really properly introduce myself. sorry in advance if this intro is all over the place (and i tend to be verbose too, fair warning
so my name is Alex and i'm from nyc (i live in brooklyn specifically, i don't think i have the new york accent but who knows anyway i've always thought lasers were some of the most impressive (yet still simple-looking) technology around and i guess you could also say that by trade i AM a technologist of sorts too.. (mainly IT specifically systems engineering, mostly unix). even got a standard red laser pointer a decade ago but it seems mostly everyone here is on another level than that, and i would aspire to be there some day, so i've been reading and reading (and occasionally posting the sometimes too opinionated comment) here and there. one other thing about me, i LOVE to learn new things, this kind of mental stimulation is a key to my happiness.. transforming myself into a knowledge-sponge is a great passtime for me.
as to what brought me here, well i first was reading LPF and i thought it was a good forum too but i think this forum is more in-tune with what i am/have become interested in lately, laser shows. music is an enormous part of my life and to be able to complement that visually is very interesting to me. i also dj as a hobby (but sadly not anywhere at a professional level), but again, anything music related is probably going to get my attention a few weeks ago my friend wanted to throw a party/event for new years eve, and i was in charge of the technical stuff (getting equipment/asking other friends i know to dj too/etc). i thought how can we make this more than just a regular party and i thought lighting would be key, so i started doing research.
so basically after learning a bit about lighting, control via dmx, i decided lasers would be the best way to make this event stand out. i've been to a few events myself that had laser scanners and they've always impressed me so i wanted to achieve something similar. although i did some research and knew what i was getting myself into, i still went and bought a laserworld projector RGB(V) 500mw and set out to learn how to control it via dmx for a mix i planned to play.. i got the projector for a decent price i think (maybe 20-25% of retail?) and yes being as how its laserworld, i'm not expecting much
long story short, the nye event was a success, but was far from perfect.. complications in people's schedules meant i didn't get to play my mix, but the lasers were a big hit (i made sure to position the projector to aim the lasers and mostly NOT scan where people's eyes were and reflect any stray beams away from the audience).
in any case, this experience has got my appetite wet for more, i definitely intend to build my own projector one day when i learn more (just gonna poke around the insides of the laserworld for now to get a sense of how it all fits together).. creating something with your own hands always fascinated me and i wish i could do this more.. plus learning more i intend and love to do! already have a sound card dac on order i'll be assembling (have basic soldering skills, maybe not that great, but practice makes perfect right?) and have win xp installed on my virtualbox (i'm a unix/mac guy) ready to dive into what ilda can achieve.
to wrap this up, i read on another thread about how it might be a good idea to go to a LEM to see in person what else can be done, and seeing as how i'm from NYC, i don't see any (too close) events happening near me.. wondering if anyone of knows any? maybe i can visit ctlasers some time (about a two hour drive).. another (wacky) idea is, i have a lot of vacay time at my day job and i need to use it (or lose it), and i was already considering visiting cali late jan/feb and it turns out they're doing a socal lem there.. hmmmmm any other ideas?