My wife calls me a workaholic. That may be true since I really don’t mind handling technical support emails over the holidays. I have to admit though, my motivation is not completely selfless. Our clients create the coolest projects in the world and if I get the chance to help resolve an issue with any of those, well, that gives me something to talk (maybe brag) about. My brother and I have had a pretty competitive relationship since I can remember. What better way to win the “who’s better” contest for the year than to say, “I helped make an attraction work better than ever that thousands, if not millions, of people will enjoy”. Yes, I think I can safely say that I don’t mind receiving technical support emails. 
Archive for the ‘Tips from our Engineers’ Category
Technical Support During the Holidays
Friday, December 18th, 2009Don’t plan ahead without looking back!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Jim Carstensen
Before our last company meeting, Jim Carstensen, our Director of Engineering, spent time reflecting on and documenting Alcorn McBride’s Engineering accomplishments. At the meeting, Jim shared his year in review. He began by looking at where the group had decided to go and recapped where they ended up. Not surprisingly, the team had accomplished everything they set out to do and much more. (Just look at the new products we released in 2009-all Jim’s group!) Looking back he noted the challenges, setbacks, and the many successes. After Jim captured the past, he was better able to plan his year ahead.
Worried about the flu? What about your projector’s health?
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Kidding of course, but we know that monitoring projectors and lamp hours is important to keeping your equipment in top shape. John Conley, an Alcorn McBride Engineer, offers these useful tips.
One of the exciting new features of the V16 Pro and WinScript Live is the ability to read incoming messages and use that information in your script. You can do math, make logical decisions, send alerts and do all sorts of other things with the incoming message. When combined with one of our ShowTouch panels you can create a powerful maintenance diagnostic tool…read the full article and download free software at:
http://www.alcorn.com/library/appnotes/QueryingProjectors/index.html
Design Your Own 4-D Theater
Sunday, October 11th, 20094-D theaters offer many benefits to museums and other small and medium-sized venues: they’re affordable, they’re flexible, and they generate high guest satisfaction ratings. In short, a 4-D theater maximizes your return on investment. It’s also possible to start small, and – as budget permits – gradually add features, such as better seating, in-theater special effects and so on.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to designing your own 4-D theater.
Step 1. Select Your Media
What is your show about? Will it change during the season? Will there be different presentations throughout the day? Showscan, and Iwerks are just a few of the many providers of 3-D and 4-D films available to you. There are also independent producers. Or, in this day of powerful PCs and home-based graphics designers, you can even have your own custom film made, probably cheaper than you’d guess. A good place to start researching is the TEA’s website at www.themeit.com.