DaptoFunlandGuy

Oh for god's sake -this is seriously starting to crap me to tears. They have not put astroturf down mainstreet. The photos are done by a crappy camera, and crappy digital cameras tend to put a green tinge on dark shadow.

All i have to say to you Ash in relation to the previous discussions on Camera purchases, do not take the sales people's word over that of an accomplished expert who does not stand to gain anything except respect. Working in the industry of retail sales, I can tell you that a Salesperson in a specialty or department store is only concerned with how much money goes into their own pocket. Commission Commission Commission. A salesperson, as opposed to someone employed for their expertise, is only after the money. If there are 3 products that are of similar type, each with slightly differing options, and they make more money on one of them, they're going to hit it up every time. They will sell you something else only if you are insistent that you don't want what they are pushing. I can tell you that at the time you made your enquiries, the D40 had about $400 gross profit on the base model kit, and out of all the models we talked about, it had the highest markup. I'm not a big fan of FPS. On playstation, i tend to play NFS, and other similar clones, classic arcade \ platform games from previous consoles - (sega classics etc). I stick with PC for the majority of the other games I play - which are more RCT \ Warcraft \ StarCraft \ Command and Conquer style games. I couldn't tell you what is best for your needs, having not played the styles of games you like. I like the Idea of the PS3, just simply because of the ongoing abilities - Blu-Ray is happening, so it is a bonus in that regard. Sony is a life brand, and allows the cross compatibility with a lot of other sony facilities. I've never been a fan of Xbox consoles. It always seems as if Microsoft are just after more money. Their controllers have always been very poorly made. a friend of mine has a 360, and in the year or so he's had it, he's been through 5 geniune controls, and about 15 aftermarket ones. I've had my PS2 for 3 years and only bought one set of replacement controls, only because they came as a kit with a dvd remote and extension cables to move back further from the console. We use those new controls because they're more comfortable than the original ones. I just find the Sony products to be a better quality. I don't know about the PS3, but someone saying that the Xbox 360 has a benefit that "the new models have a LOWER failure rate than the old ones that were really high" doesn't seem like a benefit to me - it seems like a negative about them that they are so widely known to fail. Michael said he bought one that came out at launch, and had to repair it once - two years ago. I don't want to spend - well at launch it was in excess of a thousand dollars - on something that has to be repaired, and have the manufacturer accept the "failure rate" as just a matter of doing business. Obviously they've fixed a lot of the failures that were occurring, but to release a substandard product and then just worry about fixing the failures later - and accepting it as a cost of doing business means that they're just money grubbing. My next investment after the PS3 would probably be a Wii. I'm impressed with its abilities and its pricepoint, and it's had nothing but rave reviews. Everyone i've known to have an Xbox or 360 has had nothing but trouble. Just my 12 cents.

Well, I could bring up the D40, or I could talk about the Sony Video camera you wanted to buy, or we could talk about the "P23" you are considering now. One person did make the point - and that is why don't you ask the questions on the forums that are experienced in the topic you require. If you are considering buying a set of LSM's, OTSR's, or the seemingly endless supply of hydraulic launched packaged coasters from intamin, ask away. Wanna talk game consoles? i'm sure google could deliver a wealth of expertise. Don't like the responses you get from those that tried to help you, AND turned out to be right - either take their advice, or stop asking.

I see another one of Ash's "which camera is better" threads coming. This thread will end after everyone has voiced their opinions, and then Ash will buy something not necessarily recommended by those whom he asked the opinion of, and 6 months later the discussion will start up again when he decides what he bought isn't what he wanted, and he'll go for choice number 2.

Most rides do have their own generators, but for bigger showgrounds, the infrastructure is in place because the lands are purpose built for those kind of attractions. It doesn't take much for them to plug in to a three phase trunk. In the weeks leading up to a big show, the local electricity company normally trots out and makes sure the facilities can cope, and the show organisers\individual ride operators normally collaborate on their power needs, and equipment is hired, or supplied to run out three phase to where it is required, and then split out into individual GPO's for any who don't run three phase.

Well - that I know of - there's Clint and Nev, Myself, Flea (although i'm not sure if flea has kept going with these things in recent years - I do however remember a post from a certain someone how they used to smoke their house out with a fogger, and go crazy with disco lights). I'm not sure what other lighting guys we have on the boards... so technically its not that big a concentration, but i'd be interested to know any others out there...

My thoughts - to be quite honest - is someone is dreaming. I don't think for one second that this would be anything remotely related to disney, and besides, Disney would not be seeking outside investment for the infrastructure, only the attractions - and then on a sponsorship basis. Hell, I've got my accounting firm, and major project team right here, courtesy of Atari, and Tim Sawyer - It's called RCT 1,2 & 3. The thing I found more interesting than the Major project team and the Accounting firm was this: Sounds like a one-man instrument - especially the tagline of "thanks". The person posting has no collateral, no financial instruments, so you've basically got Martin luther king - "I have a dream, and if I can find over 13 investors stupid enough to give me $10m each, I'll get to play RCT without a computer." This sounds like something more worthwhile, and something that has a lot of thought put into it: I don't think we're going to see Spaceworld anytime soon.

Well, to be honest, that took more effort than the emoticons. I would like to see some photos of the roof as it is today, so post up when you've added them please. In terms of the Privacy issues surrounding MW, please - all employees follow the rules, follow your contracts. The last thing we want is WVTP knee-jerking on us like they did with the photos a year or two ago. I am not saying anybody has, or will break the rules, but for anyone contemplating it - please dont.

Perhaps Dreamworld is appealing to the half million people per year who visit the park, who either aren't with NRMA\RACQ, or don't live in an area covered by them, including internationals as well. People in NSW are quite often accused of it, but it would seem that QLD is just as guilty as losing sight of where the other 60% of the country (geographically speaking) is... Those that aren't in NSW or QLD.

Scooby - as you take your stuff with you, and there isn't really much risk to bystanders. I do have a POV of Lethal Weapon which was recorded using very sophisticated equipment - A recording device worn attached to my belt (which can only come off by removing my belt) and a very nifty fibre optic cable that runs from the device on my belt, under my sleeve and attaches to my wrist using velcro. The lens itself shoots over the top of my hand, and records wherever I point my hand. I have used this on Demon, Bush Beast and Probe, Cyclone, Lethal Weapon and Thunderbolt. Sadly, the last time I flew Virgin, the fibre optic was damaged, and as it is quite expensive, I haven't bothered to replace it. Without park permission, this is the only style device that I would use on an attraction with a no-loose-items policy, as it is, technically, not a loose item - its the same as a watch. I presume your intention is to use either a handycam or a mobile phone with video recording. Either way I don't recommend it. The risk to your personal property, as well as those around you is too high. The following is a list of rides at the various parks that you could probably use one of these on: Looney Tunes River Ride Scooby Doo Spooky Coaster Batman Adventure (although the legalities surrounding the proprietary video footage would be antsy) Wild West Falls Bermuda Triangle Vikings Revenge And at Dreamworld - the rapids, the log flume, ToT (I presume, since you take your items with you, and there is really only two forces - forwards, backwards, there would be little risk to anyone) And most flat rides at all parks. Recording on most coasters on the gold coast is generally difficult. When they are shooting for professional purposes, (and Nev is the one to talk about this one) there is quite a substantial rig to mount the camera on. It looks like a cross between a bullbar, tow hitch, and tripod. Due to the time it takes to fit the equipment and ensure its safety, most of these devices usually get used either before park open, or after park close - perfect examples would be Grant Denyer and Rove Live at Movie World - Grant in the morning before open, and Rove after the park had closed for normal trade.

I seem to remember in the distant past that the railing wasn't always there. Apart from keeping people away from the books, i think its also to allow the cast member to be able to make their way from the front door to the ladder without having to push past people - a little ingenious - when the ladder guy is in full themed costume like i remember they used to, and they had other people to close the doors, obviously it wasn't needed - but with a one-man show up front - you gotta get it done somehow....

Thanks Cadboy, but I think you should compare apples with apples. I referred to the track on the far left for comparison - not the second on the left. Attached is a JPEG comparison that won't take so damn long to load, featuring full size images from the site, and comparing apples with apples. (or for those of you who don't know what an apple is - comparing helix with helix, and not helix with overbanked turn.)

Gazza, track on the far left of your linked MDMC shot, looks like the track in your enlarged SW-JR shot - it looks 90 degrees.... on both of them... if not then close to it. I certainly hope Sea World has been smart enough to avoid the mistakes of MDMC. Its going to be a real shame if it comes out looking like MD... People are going to yawn and say it's just like MD - and that was slow..... At the very least if it does turn out to be another Moderate Coaster, the theming that WVTP are renowned for could at least make up for it - maybe close proximity will give the sensation of speed. I really hate it when two parks close together get rides of the same specs... sure theres a different course\track layout, but when its the same track design, etc, you don't feel the need to ride it because you've ridden the other one... This could backfire. Water Coaster would have been better.

LOL Joz - I think we were better off with 'die'

Speaking of things that are needed - Joz - your quote of the month is now almost 4 months old..... where is QOTM for June, July and August?

Interesting you should say that Rich. I knew a guy once who rented a kiosk in a small backwater shopping mall in Melbourne, outside a Strathfield Car Radios store (melbourne equivalent). He sold Mobile Phones back in the day before pre-paid. People would come to the mall to visit the Strathfield store, and in passing him, would come and see what he had to offer. He'd do the contract and process the connection, ask the customer to come back in 15 minutes, and then he'd drive to another retail shop, purchase the phone from them, come back - and customer happy On his own, he had no chance - he didn't even stock the mobile phones, he only bought them as he sold them, but his success came from the fact that he was right outside the big strathfield juggernaut. People would not come to him if he was on some corner, but being right next to the big store, people detoured to him - "because he was there". And it worked.... Speaking of Entrepreneurial Legends - the guy's name was John Ilhan AKA Crazy John.

Ummm....... Am I reading that right?

Well for starters the kid was too small to ride. The harnesses on these attractions hold you in position. Watching it slo-mo, it looks as though he was trying to get out of the harness. At any rate, his father was the one to catch him, so I don't see this as being anything wrong with the ride, just the size of the kid. Ash - have you ever watched a funniest home video show? Well, whether you have or not, the premise is that lots of people getting hurt are funny - why? because it isn't YOU. If you don't get hurt, its funny. Thats where the expression comes from - it's all fun and games until someone loses an eye. I watched that video about three times. My first reaction was to laugh - it is ridiculous seeing this oversized merry-go-round spinning while this kid dangles below it. The second time I wondered whether or not the kid was hurt, or if it was just a few bumps and bruises. Third time I wondered how a ride operator could admit someone that so clearly could get out of the harnesses - and to laugh about it again. Of course, if it were you falling off the ride.... i'll get back to you on how i'd feel about that.

Actually, if you consider that 4000 square metre figure - two chairs, side by side in conference \ theatre style seating, would only be 1 metre wide, and half a metre deep. Allow another space of the same size in front for legroom, and you've got 1 square metre. So theoretically, if you were to seat people in that fashion, you could fit up to 8000 people. This means however, there would be no room for aisleways (fire code) or a stage at the front that the people would be watching, so if you allow 1000 square metre for stage, and associated back of house, 500 square metre for the plaza outside ricks, another 500 square metre for the aisle down the middle, and cut 1000 square metre off the back for the dogleg \ plants and other themed items down the street, leaving you only 1000 square metre of actual seating space, you still have the ability to seat 2000 people. Of course, these are random made up figures - so I don't want anybody walking down main street with a sports tape measure trying to prove the figure wrong - fact is 2000 is an easy number. Even if it was set with Banquet style seating (round\oval tables with chairs all round) I still think you'd fit 1000, or 800 with cabaret seating (same style, except two chairs are removed from each table - the ones that would have their backs to the stage or the screen.). Most people wouldn't really think of how much you could fit in that street, and you'd really have to see it when it's set for a major function before you could really visualise it, but trust me - it's big enough.

I heard it was a giant roof that went the length of mainstreet that would provide shelter from the elements, and maybe allow more theming during nighttime events. A friend of mine from WVTP told me, but I don't know if its true.

Not anymore....

is it just me, or is the picture linked with this news story not quite appropriate?

I don't think we can expect that Gazza, The "ridge" they talk of is right behind a number of Aussie world's main rides, so they will need to clear the way for a splashdown pool. The park map you posted shows the pub in the middle of the map (at the bottom) and the whole aussie world park as it stands today is mostly directly behind that... its main street buddy... and its all gotta go. I would have thought "normal waterpark" could include Jamberoo. Pretty sure EVERY slide they have fits into the landscape - maybe village have learned a few things from their southern neighbours. A spaghetti of support beams is also a lot more expensive than running it along the ground too. (although most slides have support designs pre-fabbed for a flat surface - so maybe it costs more to custom design it around a hill?)

just to clarify - company taxes are not fixed across the board. They are quite variable. Power wise, The lasers would use less than a typical household lightglobe - the ancilliary usage however - cooling fans and servos to move the mirrors would bump it up to be somewhere in the range of a household lightglobe. Lasers are rated in mW, mine for example is 1200mW, and as far as I know, the wattage escalates the same way that bytes do. I agree with Clint that it is more down to the operators. AV would be checking this stuff every morning, so anything that isn't working would be logged and fixed. If it's just running out of fog juice, or overheated, and they don't notice it - it won't be fixed until the next day.

I have to disagree. Anytime someone is willing to seek help, to ask for, and accept it with a sincere intention to improve and make themselves better for it, I will offer. I do not consider it to be nitpicking. He enquiry was in relation to the quality of his posts. I pointed out a few simple tips. Most were to conform with the community guidelines, as is REQUIRED to post here. He readily accepted the advice, and the compliment. Nobody said they have to be perfect, and I didn't point out anything about capitalising the letter 'I', as that is frequently my only issue. I don't think the community guidelines say they have to be perfect, and I think in an older version, before your time here Ash, Richard did say something about "it doesn't have to be perfect". But I will say, it is not annoying in the slightest to have someone ask if there has been improvement. It was definitely more annoying to try and interpret what was being said in chatspeak. Sure - it is better asked in a separate thread, so as not to interrupt the flow of the topic, but come on, how many threads de-rail and sidetrack into something completely different? this wouldn't be the first, and it definitely won't be the last. I'm actually debating whether it is worthwhile asking this can have a new thread for this topic, as it seems there could be a reply or two to come, or whether we can just leave it. I would be interested if you could pm me with some examples of mistakes in my posts though - other than the capitalised 'I' as I said before. Again, I don't claim to be perfect, but spelling and grammar is definitely not my weakest attribute. I might also point out that I did actually compliment, and thank Klassen for the improvements made. I have seen this happen numerous times on these boards - a member joins, posts unintelligibly, other members dip in and politely provide some advice, which either leads to the member improving their post quality and resultingly adding a worthwhile contribution, or the member gets the poops, and flames the board and we never see them again. Either way, the end result is a good quality board, with good quality info, which is what makes Parkz.com.au's community what it is today - what is WELL KNOWN in the industry as THE source of information if you want to go to a theme park. I have seen an influx of people in recent times that have not been in the typical 10-20 year old male demographic that was so common on the boards in its earlier years... more recently we have seen mums planning holidays, and families asking for advice on how to get the best out of the particular park they are considering going to. Parkz has become a one-stop-theme-park-shop, and it is because of the quality, and calibre of our membership that this is so. Poor quality posts that nobody with an education can understand mean people will go elsewhere.