In honor of Mr. McKernon's birthday, I've added a poll to this thread. I used ALDpro from 1990-94, then used FilemakerPro and/or MS Excel, until LW4. In all of LW's versions, the default was to use parentheses around channel numbers, and I've always done it out of habit, with whatever program I'm using. I've seen other Lighting People, even some who've never used Lightwright, do the same. I find it amazing the influence that John McKernon and Lightwright have had on the stage lighting industry.
Oh, and I finally watched LW's start-up screen and saw what the rest of you were talking about. Heretofore, I'll have to pay closer attention. I usually fast forward through opening credits on TV shows too.