The website has again been updated with a few more goodies:
1. There is now a streaming webcam available during the Christmas season
2. The 2008 photo gallery has been created (with a single photo)
3. The videos page as been redesigned
4. There are now two new pages - Details and History - in place of the former 'Quick Facts' area.

I am now at the stage of choosing what is needed for 2008 such as new lights and computer controllers. There will not be too many new lights this year as new computer controlling hardware is necessary which will cost in the thousands. A record breaking $2600 is the estimate upgrading cost for 2008, providing I can pull together enough cash.

'It was the night before new years, when all through the garden, everything went dark...'

Ok, I made that up. Anyway, last night was the final night that the 2007 light show was operating. Over the next month the lights will be removed and stored until late September or early October.

Another vandalism attack occured during the display this year (with the other one happening last year) causing an estimated damage bill of around $100. I am hoping this will be covered by insurance again. Other problems such as melting light sets in 40 degree celcius heat will also be claimed for.

Over the next few weeks some plans will need to be finalised before further planning commences, such as what new features I would like, what improvements to existing features I can do, and - for this year most importantly - what sort of computerisation method will I use (Currently I use Olsen595 boards made by a friend of mine. There are several commercial products available that have more flexibility that I may well consider.)

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I would like to welcome you to the new year.

The lighting season kicked off extremely well last Saturday night, with a massive turn out eagerly waiting in anticipation for the grand count down and light up for 2007.

If you want to see the display in person, you can find us on Marquisite Drive in Salisbury East, South Australia.

This last week has been quite stressful as the first outdoor test with more than 28 computerised lights up and running returned a result that I was not exepecting. Some how the lights on the roof were following the flashing pattern of their own instructions (which is supposed to happen) and also a light set in the front garden's instruction (which was not supposed to happen. This meant that they would remain on for most of the time (If either the garden light or roof light was set to comeon, it would come on - so unless both lights were instructed to turn off the roof would remain on.)

But at last the problem was fixed after replacing a nusiance cable TWICE and getting a lot of components found on the 'brain' replaced. (The brain's job is to coordinate all the on/off signals and send them to the right light set).

Just need to say THANKS to Jumba.com.au for agreeing to host this website for free for a period of at least 18 months. Their paid plans are very cheap, starting at $29.95 per year, for any Australian residents looking for a reliable ad-free place to park their websites.
  |  related link