Funnelators Thread! (discussion, photos, sarcasm, etc)

[esquire]

^ Further to your point, I wish the city hadn't been so aggressive about stamping out lighting and signage on commercial buildings. They add so much life and vitality to a street scene... it's hard not to mourn the big bright signs that Winnipeg had everywhere up until the 70s. Nowadays, when offices and shops close, the lights go out and the streets are really dark.

Not that we ever had anything like what there is in the larger global cities, but these days, people gravitate to places like Times Sq., Piccadilly Circus, Dundas Square, Shibuya, and other places where you have all of that urban signage... it does have a certain appeal.

The best part? The public doesn't have to pony up a dime for any of it.

[cllew]

How much of the signage going dark was due to the environmental movement and or cost cutting. The old neon and incandescent style of lights cost a lot to run and apparently there are not that many people who know how to build or fix neon signs now.

One building that has gone down at night is the electric railway chambers building just off Portage and Notre Dame. From my office at night it looks like at least half the bulbs have burned out. They would be better off not to light it at night until either they get a budget to relamp it with traditional bulbs or try using something like led lights. It use to be nice to see the lights cascade up and down the building.

[Biff]

Originally Posted by cllew

One building that has gone down at night is the electric railway chambers building just off Portage and Notre Dame. From my office at night it looks like at least half the bulbs have burned out. They would be better off not to light it at night until either they get a budget to relamp it with traditional bulbs or try using something like led lights. It use to be nice to see the lights cascade up and down the building.

Funny, because I know they went through that exercise for the Pan-Am Games in 1999 by fixing all the lights....it looked great. This is one building that I would like to always look its best.

[cllew]

I did not know it was related to sprucing up downtown for the Pan AM Games. I remember seeing them do it and just thought that it was a heritage restoration for the building.

[trebor204]

It looks like they are reinstalling the Funnelators:

Picture from Last August (after the fire)




Pictures today

[CoryB]

Anyone starting a betting pool on when this one stops working?

[trebor204]

The funnelator is now working.

[Biff]

I know I am going against the grain here, but I happen to like them. Downtown needs more colour and flash.

[esquire]

The one by the library looks OK, but we've been hearing hype about them for so long now that it's no surprise people are rolling their eyes at the fact that there is just the one. And it always seems to be malfunctioning for one reason or another. When are all the others going in? Aren't there supposed to be some that double as various kiosks/vendors?

[CoryB]

I have wondered about the viability of operating a cone shaped video screen outdoors in Winnipeg weather since before the first failure. My thinking is if the frame had lights similar to those by the Concert Hall instead of a video screen there would be fewer issues while making a similar contribution to the streetscape.

[esquire]

Originally Posted by CoryB

I have wondered about the viability of operating a cone shaped video screen outdoors in Winnipeg weather since before the first failure. My thinking is if the frame had lights similar to those by the Concert Hall instead of a video screen there would be fewer issues while making a similar contribution to the streetscape.

Is it really any different from one of the umpteen jumbotron-type screens scattered around town, though?

And is it just me or does the funnelator screen seem pretty low-def?

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by esquire

Is it really any different from one of the umpteen jumbotron-type screens scattered around town, though?

I am not an expert on the subject but the cone shape of that screen would seem to increase it to exposure to the elements. If the cap/roof fails the design would also work to concentrate rain or snow contact with the screen. Most other outdoor screens are relatively thin and vertical so they would face a slightly different challenge.

[Riverman]

There is a lot of salt mist in the air on warm days. Electronics and salt water are a poor mix so sealing from the environment is essential.

[buzzg]

Thought this may be the best place...

New SHED street lights are up on Graham between cityplace and MTS. It's funny because they're in different places than the old black transit ones so it looks very odd right now, obviously that will change. They seem to have fittings for a fence or something to go up between them.

Also noticed the bumpout at Graham and Hargrave that was repaved last year has a massive brick SHED logo... thought it was just a big blob.

[Cyro]

Bumping Funnelator thread for obvious reasons..

[HomeInMyShoes]

^What news of Funnelators?

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

^What news of Funnelators?

Apparently only 1 has been installed since the concept and plan was revealed..otherwise they can't figure out how to get them working en-masse?

[HomeInMyShoes]

Ah, I was busy searching the Web for news and couldn't find any.

I still need to go take some photos of the artwork around Regina's downtown. Soon. Soon I shall do so.

[Cyro]

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

Ah, I was busy searching the Web for news and couldn't find any.

I still need to go take some photos of the artwork around Regina's downtown. Soon. Soon I shall do so.

There isn't any..

Love to see some artwork from around Regina, post it when you have the time..

[OverUnder]

The funnelator has a white plastic tarp covering the top, I assume to ensure water and snow don't damage the electronics. Certainly takes away from the "cool" factor.