Please share: your to-do list as it exists today for your LOR display

[Guest guest]

I've just built my checklist for my remaining tasks. But I'm pretty sure I forgot a few things. If anyone else has a checklist, do you mind posting it to help us remember some of those last minute details we might otherwise forget?

1. Put rubber glue inside the important blackout caps.
2. Put up "LET IT SNOW" banner on house
3. Twist-tie lights alread on trees to help secure them
4. Build 3 channel star
5. Finish outlining windows
6. Buy WiFi card for show PC
7. Transfer audio/sequences/shows/software to PC
8. Mount LOR units outside
9. Wire LOR units to electricity
10 Wire LOR units to PC
11. Wire outside sound
12. Power FM transmitter (low noise 12vdc power supply)
13. Wire and mount FM transmitter. Audio splitter?
14. Put together the 16 mini trees
15. Take the mini trees outside and stake them
16. Hook LOR units up to all the individual lights
17. Put Sign in yard
18. Put lights out for sign in yard
19. Set up some remote console (vnc) software on PC
20. Trim the tall fountain grass in front that blocks the mini-tree view

EDIT: Added #20.

[Guest guest]

1. 
   
2. sequence
   
3. fix lights
   
4. re-attach lights on wire frame
   
5. get LOR working
   
6. wire up
   
7. get arch half going
   
8. re-do all sequences done so far to incorperate channel changes

and thats it

IF i can get LOR fixed or working.

[Guest guest]

1. Watch sequences run on actual lights late at night (so neighbors don't see) and make any adjustments necessary.

2. Buy some sort of cord to hang between trees to hang curtain strobes on.

3. Find last 6 batches of lights in attic boxes.

4. Switch plug on roof to the correct LOR channel. (OOPS!)

5. Watch sequences late at night again (and again, and again...)

[Guest guest]

1.) finish making 2 mini trees
2.) install the rest of net lights on bushes
3.) finish sequences with added channels
4.) wire up the lighted moose
5.) make cross
6.) make jesus sign
7.) finalize the show order
8.) make the lights dance all hours of the night till i cant take it anymore! :laughing:

this is the earliest i have been this close to being done.

[Guest guest]

DownTown wrote:

1. Watch sequences run on actual lights late at night (so neighbors don't see) and make any adjustments necessary.

...

5. Watch sequences late at night again (and again, and again...)

Now why didn't I think of that... what a great idea. Are you talking 'after Letterman' late, or 'here comes the newspaper lady' late?

Jeff in Raleigh

[Guest guest]

1. Watch sequences run on actual lights late at night (so neighbors don't see) and make any adjustments necessary.

I did this last year at 3am so I could get some video without traffic. I drank plenty of coffee, trying to stay awake, and finally made it to 3am. I took my camera out, turned on the computer, and started the show. No traffic in sight. Before the very first song was over, we had 3 cars blocking the camera shots. Needless to say, I didn't get very good footage last year, wish I could block the road off for an hour. :laughing:

[Guest guest]

1. After previous xmas season look for deals for lights next year - done
2. In off season purchase additionl extension cords - done (48)
3. Update previous yearss sequences from 16 to 32 channels for new controller - done
4. Create a few new sequences for this year - Working on.
5. Unpack and test a lights for this year. Also purchase additional lights for new channels - Purchasing done, testing previous lights in progress
6. Put lights up on house after testing - this weekend
7. Connect controllers to lights and laptop and cross fingers - this weekend.
8. Test FM transmitter for good station, and make sign for front yard- week before Thanksgiving
9. Connect laptop to fm transmitter and speakers - day before thanksgiving.
10. Start the show and watch with a few cold beers - Thanksgiving night.

Flanman

[Guest guest]

joshuashu wrote:

4.) wire up the lighted moose

I'm intruiged. Got a picture of this?

[Guest guest]

Good topic. I had forgot about the WiFi card until I saw this printed here. Would have had to make another trip to the store this week!



Action Items:

1) Find missing box of white lights, and/or buy more white lights.

2) Complete hanging of lights.

3) Install blue flood lights on upper level.

4) Make signs:

a. Tune to FM 93.5 (need to confirm freq)

b. Danger, High Voltage

c. Warning, Premises are video monitored.

5) Figure out how to permanently reduce hum in FM transmitter (it’s a “Belkin-mod” on a non-Belkin unit).

6) Move LOR controller PC to front room. Install WiFi card. Install LOR, test.

7) Complete sequencing.





Shopping List:

1) White string lights, 100 count.

2) Mountable floodlights for roof.

3) 2x 50’ extension cords

4) WiFi card for controller PC.

5) 2ea 4x8 wood for signs

6) 4ea 2x2 wood for support

[Guest guest]

1.) Sequence 6 Songs. Mostly done. 1 to go.
2.) Build Archway over driveway.. LIghts purchased just have to purchase PVC and Ready Rod.
3.) Finish installing ground lights and test inflatbles. (Todo)
4.) Tidy up electrical cords, extensions and balance light loads (todo)
5.) Get entered in the 2 local Christmas lighting contests.
(1st prize in one of them last year)

[Guest guest]

1. finish assembling LOR box

2. cut acrylics and build 3 gift boxes

3. make about 16 bows

4. Sequence everything

5. Actually put stuff up



Is it wrong to put my lights up before I actually do the sequencing? We are going to plan to put everything up this Saturday, then spend the days before thanksgiving doing the sequencing, then have it start next Friday. Now that we are close I'm feeling better about getting it all done in time. Micheal's was having a sale today on silk floral garlands and I snagged a whole bunch - I hope they'll do okay outside.

[Guest guest]

1. Finish building LOR controllers (4)
2. Finish stringing mega tree
3. Wrap trees
4. Put up all other lights up
5. Sequence atleast 1 song
6. Set up LOR
7.
8.

ACTUALLY, let me list what is done for this year

Set up mega tree 1/2
Build LOR boxes 1/2


So yeah thats it...

Zac

[Guest guest]

1) Hang Toys for Tots banner.
2) Finish 2 20 amp circuits of 6.
3) Finish Merry Christmas sign and hang.
4) Test sequences live.
5) Finish last few songs.
6) Hang wreaths.
7) Run all lateral power lines.
8) Finish Light Bars.
9) Hang lights in trees.
10) I'm sure I will have to buy more extension cords.
11) Update several sequences for additional channels.

We are pretty much completing everything, feeling good and getting very excited.

[Guest guest]

Bill Hoffman wrote:

1. Watch sequences run on actual lights late at night (so neighbors don't see) and make any adjustments necessary.

I did this last year at 3am so I could get some video without traffic. I drank plenty of coffee, trying to stay awake, and finally made it to 3am. I took my camera out, turned on the computer, and started the show. No traffic in sight. Before the very first song was over, we had 3 cars blocking the camera shots. Needless to say, I didn't get very good footage last year, wish I could block the road off for an hour. :laughing:

After Letterman, or actually, after the 11:00 news late... That way I can see it, fix it, and still get enough sleep to be productive at work the next day.

D.T.

[Guest guest]

I'm intruiged. Got a picture of this?

not yet but i will soon.. my son was born 7 weeks early so i spend most my time in the NICU. i will try to get one this weekend.

[Guest guest]

lol, I'm a college student, I like to procrastinate:

to do list:

1) find or beg for a single triac opto-isolator to replace the one I broke assembing one of the LOR boards
2) put the two finished LOR boards in enclosures
3) put up 15,000 Christmas lights
4) wire the 15,000 lights to the LOR boards using SPT2
5) gather up misc computer parts I have and assemble into a working computer, install win xp and LOR, and set up remote desktop
5) finish sequencing 4 songs
6) figure out a new way to build a mega tree as the ladder I used last year has rotted through
7) hack my radio transmitter
8) make a "tune to.." sign


So yeah...I've got a lot to do between now and the 24th.

[Guest guest]

Debut show is scheduled for 11-25 at 7pm. The STILL to-do list includes:

1. Purchase 8 strings of green mini-lights.
2. Purchase 9 strings of white mini-lights.
3. Send Radio sign and Donation signs to be printed.
4. Construct donation box setup.
5. Finish stringing remaining 200 lights in the "red" tree.
6. Mount the 3 LOR controllers in their assigned locations.
7. Move mega-tree out of garage and stake in place.
8. String lights on the mega-tree.
9. Set up angels and stake. (It's very windy around our house)
10. Set up the 10 mini-trees.
11. Run the extension cords (44) to appropriate controllers.
12. Hang 2 house wreaths.
13. Finish last song sequence for the show.
14. Create animation sequence.
15. Set up spotlights for signs.
16. Create the flyer for the neighbors inviting them to the debut.
17. Purchase hot chocolate for the debut.
18. Make cookies for the debut. (may have to buy them...)
19. Test....test....test
20. Video the finished product.
21. Sign up for local contests.
22. Update website and blog.
23. Enjoy!!!!!

While it may seem like a lot, we're actually making good progress. This weekend is supposed to be nice (translated means 50 degrees in the Philly area) and the plan is to have the tests done by Sunday. After all I still have to work to support my habit AND make Thanksgiving dinner for 16 people. :shock::happytree:

Good luck to all,
Sally

[Guest guest]

Let's see...I...

A) Finished sequencing the main songs I'm going to do. I'll listen to them again to make sure the lights light when they're supposed to light, and tweak what's necessary.
Consider adding one more 'Christian' song, to incorporate the nativity display a little more.
C) Last night, raked leaves from the front yard. Will do one last mow Saturday morning.

Now, I need to...

1) Perform Firmware update
2) Move LOR to front yard. Still deciding where/how to hide it.
3) Lay out some wires this weekend
4) Put up some basic light strands - trees, icicles, etc.
5) Find AC power cord for Belkin unit (rechargable batteries barely give me 5 hour operating time).
6) On Black Friday, along with wife, will set out all Christmas stuff. I really wanted to do this Thanksgiving evening throughout the night, but wife wants to get sleep to be ready for Black Friday shopping. Tried convincing her that if we stay up all night, we'll be ready Friday morning for shopping. She's not buying that argument! Instead, I'll probably be out Friday night for much of the night making sure everything's working, and will try to tape my sequences.
7) Wire up the yard. Starting anew this year with wiring, so that'll be time consuming.
8) Purchase additional wiring supplies as needed.
9) Purchase 1/2" metal tubing for new blowmolds for support so they don't fall over all winter.
10) Get decorations down from attic, make living room uninhabitable for next 5 days (I will do that Sunday after football games!).
11) Other stuff I'm not thinking about now.

[Guest guest]

sasmuse wrote:

21. Sign up for local contests.

How does one find these? Maybe I was using the wrong terms, but a google came up with nothing interesting.

[Guest guest]

this year wait till the 25 to turn on lights and watch

all tests are done lor up and running just waiting....



after xmas buy out every light i see half off