One of the concerns for a newbie in automated lighting programming is deciding which console to master. There are over 100 lighting consoles or software applications sold around the world. But the lighting industry has embraced only a few. Be aware of the various consoles and their particular uses. Understand at least a little of each. Download manuals from manufacturer Web sites. Sign up for forums, and get in touch with programmers in your area who are using the particular console type you are hoping to master. They are usually happy to teach you, as long as you don’t steal their gigs.
—Brad Schiller, from Feeding the Machines, PLSN, Jan. 2008
