I want the 2003 SIM .pdf, do you?

[PhillyKev 0]

Sorry for the cross post, but wanted max exposure. As discussed in the S&T forum, the 2003 SIM has not been posted in .pdf form for download. The majority (but not the whole) of it has been posted as a series of .html links on the uspa website. Personally, I don't like staring at a computer screen to read lengthy documents and would prefer to print them out. It seems the USPA decided that they want to raise funds by forcing those of us who want a complete printed version to buy it. I can understand charging for their printed version to pay for binding and printing, but why not let us use our own resources? The .pdf document already exists, they just won't post it. Chris Needels has also contacted people who have zipped up the .htm version for people to download and told them to remove it because it violates copyright laws. Didn't our dues pay for the compilation of the information contained in the manual? I just don't get it.

Considering we all have ballots in the latest issue of skydiving, I think a few emails to the appropriate parties may help get a simple link to a .pdf put up on the site as was done for the previous version. This is just lame, we could always print out the individual pages, but that's a hassle. Why won't the USPA share the information in the easiest way for its members to view it?

Email addresses that should be used include
Executive Committee ,
Kevin Gibson ,
Jim Crouch ,
Larry Bagley ,
Full Board ,
Board Candidates

[skybytch 273]

Hm. When I started jumping there was no USPA website to download the SIM off of. I paid for my copy - actually I've paid for 3 or 4 copies over the years. I certainly didn't expect it to be free because I paid my membership dues.

imho, be glad it's available online at all. If you want the full version, buy it. If you just need to look something up once in awhile, don't buy it and use the html version that has been made available to you.

[quade 4]

Ok, my guess is that they actually made this switch based on skydiver input. I don't know about you, but to ME the HTML version is a hell of a lot more user friendly than the .pdf and if I wanted to I could simply suck the entire thing down and print it out anyway.

It ain't rocket science!

This is SUCH a temptest in a tea-pot.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[PhillyKev 0]

Lisa.....what's upsetting to me is the attempted gouging of members. They don't have a problem posting the info publicly, but won't do so in a convenient format for downloading, and go after people who do. The only reason is to raise revenue by selling the printed version. I don't remember seeing that decision in the minutes of the BOD meetings. They don't have to do any extra work here other than make a single link (instead of the dozens for the version they put up). I understand that the .pdf of the entire book is already created as it was used to print the hard copy.

I am glad it's online at all, but I don't like the tactics that are being used. Can you offer a good reason for restricting its availability other than trying to force people to buy it?

[PhillyKev 0]

Quote

Ok, my guess is that they actually made this switch based on skydiver input.

Well, I'm a skydiver and I'm giving my input. I don't like the new format.

Quote

if I wanted to I could simply suck the entire thing down and print it out anyway

Me too, but it wouldn't be formatted nicely, or have page numbers, etc, which the .pdf does. And make sure you don't share that download with anyone or else you'll be contacted about violating copyright laws.

How will they next try to nickle and dime more money out of the membership?

[skybytch 273]

Quote

The only reason is to raise revenue by selling the printed version.

And what's wrong with that? Do we not want USPA to stay in the black? How much do you think they are making off each copy?

Quote

Can you offer a good reason for restricting its availability other than trying to force people to buy it?

I don't feel anyone is being forced to buy it. If you need specific information from the SIM it is available online. If you feel that you want a complete version to look at when you aren't at your computer you can buy one.

btw, the online version is available to non-USPA members too - if you feel your dues entitle you to have free access to it, then shouldn't you be up in arms that something you "paid" for is available to people who haven't paid?

[pilotdave 0]

I agree that PDF is a better format than HTML for a document of this type. If they have it, I don't see why they wouldn't put it up on their site. On the other hand, the html version they have up seems perfectly reasonable to me. Yes, to print the whole thing you will have to click on 12 links and print 12 separate sections and you won't get page numbers. The html version is clearly designed for online use. But it's there and free. USPA is a big business, not some non-profit organization to promote skydiving safety, right? Pretty nice of them to give us anything with our dues.

Dave

[pilotdave 0]

[replybtw, the online version is available to non-USPA members too - if you feel your dues entitle you to have free access to it, then shouldn't you be up in arms that something you "paid" for is available to people who haven't paid?

[moodyskydiver 0]

Eh, I didn't see the big deal either way.I knew it'd be useful to have on hand so I just went ahead and bought one. It should be here next week.

"...just an earthbound misfit, I."

[RevJim 0]

Quote

Eh, I didn't see the big deal either way.I knew it'd be useful to have on hand so I just went ahead and bought one. It should be here next week.

I've expended too much energy this week at work (yea, I'm still working, this post is coming from a hotel computer), but this deserves an answer also.

The SIM in general, and the BSRs (contained in the SIM) are chocked full of information we are EXPECTED to know. These are rules, regulations, programs, and suggestions the we, as members of the USPA, paid to have researched, formatted, and assembled.

How many of the questions on a B, C, or D liscense are directly SIM and BSR related? Hmm, if you want to be technical, all of them.

The BSRs also let us know EXACTLY what is expected of us by the US Government, typically in the form of the FAA. These are skydiving specific rules and regulations. Many of them reference specific parts of the SIMs.

Yes, boys and girls, if you want to stay legal, you need the SIM.

Remember, your dues paid for it.

Now you get to pay for it again.

Think about that.

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1

[Jimbo 0]

Hey Rev,

Agreed.

The fact that they've gone to more trouble to make it available via HTML than they would have had to do to make it available via PDF really says something.

USPA for jumpers? These days, laughable.

Get out and vote people, it's time for new blood at HQ.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[Spy38W 0]

Quote

USPA for jumpers? These days, laughable.

Get out and vote people, it's time for new blood at HQ.

I used to wonder what you guys over at wreckdaht were babbling about, and now I'm starting to get it...

--
Hook high, flare on time

[Jimbo 0]

Quote

I used to wonder what you guys over at wreckdaht were babbling about, and now I'm starting to get it...

For the record, I am not the Jimbo over there on rec.skydiving. I took this name before I knew he existed.

-
Jim

"Like" - The modern day comma
Good bye, my friends. You are missed.

[PhreeZone 20]

The Jimbo from Rec. posts on here as Bozo. He's got some stories to tell if you search the archives there.... or talk to him in person.

And I used to be laughed at for posting stuff like that on here... (I HATE the GM program....), elect some new blood...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skybytch 273]

Would it make you feel better if I laugh at 'em now, phree?

[PhreeZone 20]

Your the one that did all the laughing the first time around too...

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skybytch 273]

Quote

Your the one that did all the laughing the first time around too...

Damn you kids! You remember stuff far too well. Now go drink a whole buncha alcohol and kill off a few brain cells so we'll be closer to equal turf.

[PhreeZone 20]

Sorry Lisa... I'd have to drink Vats to catch up based on how many you had to kill at WFFC this last year alone.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[WFFC 1]

Quote

Sorry Lisa... I'd have to drink Vats to catch up based on how many you had to kill at WFFC this last year alone.

***Disclaimer
No brain cells were intentionally killed/maimed or otherwise harmed in the creation of the ultimate boogie. This does not include any braincells killed by debauchery at any Rodriguez Brother or Hell Fish initiations...

-----
~~~Michael

[RevJim 0]

Quote

Hey Rev,

Agreed.

The fact that they've gone to more trouble to make it available via HTML than they would have had to do to make it available via PDF really says something.

USPA for jumpers? These days, laughable.

Get out and vote people, it's time for new blood at HQ.

-
Jim

That's right!

I urge everyone here, get out your November Parachutist, tear out the ballot, fill it in, and MAIL IT! Remember, it HAS to be in HQ BY Dec 31st, or it gets marked as invalid. Nice how Mr. Needels commented this month in his "Crapital Commentary" that we have until the end of the year to send it in, think it over, ect. He's wrong, and quite possibly trying to cut down on the number of votes that can be counted.

Remember, this is NOT the IRS. Postmarked by such and such a date does not cut it with them.

Figuring the typical lag in our postal system, coupled with the holiday season, all ballots should be IN THE MAIL no later than Dec 15th.

You people actually interested in taking back the USPA in the name of the jumpers? Well, remember, you have 8 votes for National Director, but you need not use all of them. In fact, if you only see 2 or 3 candidates that you agree with, by all means, vote only for them!

For those of you unsure as to who are for the jumper specifically, here's my ballot:

Chris Welker. Vote yes. Anyone who runs that is endorsed by Mike Mullins has my vote.

Danny Page. Vote no. Conflict of interest. He is an instructor Examiner and thus an employee of the USPA. Pure financial motovations. Also, he is a former board member.....FORMER.....is there a reason for this?

Jan Meyer. Vote yes. She has some financial interest related to skydiving, but not to the extent of a drop zone owner. She will vote with the jumpers interest first and formost.

Mike Mullins. Vote yes. 'nuf said. Yes, he is a multiple DZO, but he has the individual skydivers interests in mind, always. He's working on getting our SIM in *.pdf as we speak. Besides, are either of his DZs Group Members? Hmmm? That says alot right there.

Glen Bangs. Vote no. Another IE. Just reading his statement raises the hairs on the back of my neck. Look for higher dues to support his ambitions.

Madlyn Murdock. Vote no. Former DZO. Former BOD. Former Executive committee. Sorry, no second chance here babe. Nix the executive committee and ya might have had a chance.

John Desantis. Vote no. GOD NO! The man couldn't even write his own candidate statement!

B J Worth. Vote no. Former President? There is a reason for all these formers. Get the point yet?

Larry Hill. Vote no, just because I like Mike Mullins, and Larry has plenty of money without the ego trip of the USPA BOD. This is by far the biggest financial conflict of interest on the ballot.

Alan "Buzz" Fink. Vote no. Mandatory CYPRES ring a bell? It should, you need one to jump at his DZ. Do you want this kind of leadership dictating rules for the entire association?

Winsor Naugler III. Vote yes. One of, if not the brightest candidate, this man is pure fun jumper. Maybe you met him in the low timers tent at Rantoul? Highly intelligent, and would make an excellent spokesman for the fun jumpers.

Don L. "Treetop" Jardine. Vote YES! You may know him as Treetop Lord of the Sky over on the rec.skydiving newsgroup, or as Cloudseeder over here. You may love him. You may hate him. One thing is for sure, this man is a pure fun jumper, and he knows our governing rules and regulations better than our present BOD AND THEIR LAWYERS! He will raise hell. Probably call people names. I'm sure he'll stir up some serious shit, but through it all, he will have US in mind, not some dollar sign.

Remember, these are my opinions. They are factual, but may not agree with your views.

Please, PLEASE, regardless of how you feel about the candidates, how much you may hate them or love them, how much you may hate or love this long post, no matter what, VOTE!!!!!

It's your life, live it!
Karma
RB#684 "Corcho", ASK#60, Muff#3520, NCB#398, NHDZ#4, C-33989, DG#1