Once you know what you will be doing and how long you will have, it is vital to ask about the lighting equipment and the console. As a lighting programmer, you can usually request the console of your choice. If you always program on brand X and they provide you with brand Y, you will not be as efficient or knowledgeable. It is in the best interest of the client if they provide you with a console with which you are familiar and experienced.
-From Brad Schiller's February Feeding the Machines
