Cajones

I should've done this before Safety Day, but all this talk about cutaways has spurred me to start a valid thread about experiences. I have a few cutaways, including one tandem reserve ride. One of these resulted in a main (Spinletto) lost in the swamp. I had 7 or 8 jumps on it, so it really hurt financially. I know it's sad that money forced me to rethink emergency procedures, but it has saved me from at least one cutaway. After chopping my spinning main and losing it, my emergency procedures include some new (very well rehearsed and tested) options. Keep in mind any information here is based on individual experience. Use it at your own risk. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

There are several solutions that may meet your needs. If you are just going to encode the captured video and convert it to MPEG to burn on CD's and publish on the web, you can get by pretty cheap (compared to the $1k price point you mentioned). I've used a few of the Dazzle products with very good sucess, and I do know they are compatible with both NTSC and PAL. I believe it was Bodypilot who recently picked up one off of e-bay (from memory, so I may be wrong on who it was). The better models do full frame and resolution (if your computer can think that fast), include some basic editing software (which is very easy to learn/use, include DVD authoring software, and do hardware MPEG encoding. The hardware MPEG encoding can really speed up the work it looks like you want to do. I'd recommend the Dazzle 150 and, if your computers are not equipped (which if they're more than a year old, they probably aren't), put in a USB 2.0 add-on card. Simple and very cost-effective. Edit to add clickies from Best Buy: Dazzle 150 for $150 Siig USB 2.0 5-port card for $40 The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

First important question: What's your budget? Second important question: What's your final product? Third important question: You have some unused x86 boxes; Do you know what's inside (what's under the hood)? The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

This does hold some truth. The focus on the platform really revolves around the expansion of instruction sets on todays non-RISC platforms. By optimizing the code to more efficiently take advantage of the instruction sets embedded on the Intel, especially (ever notice the Adobe software checking processor architecture and instruction set on opening), more work can be done with fewer clock cycles. By definition, these instruction sets are not found on RISC processors. Data may have to make ten trips through the processor to make the same changes a single trip through the Intel processor does. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

http://store.yahoo.com/edigitalcity/caeos10dkitd.html The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

It ain't so smart! Try "00." The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Bring it on! If that's what it takes to get you people to boost the team up... Get folding! I wouldn't mind if you guys blaze past me like I'm sittin' still! The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I'm with Ray. Probably a policy setting on the network. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Hyperthreading under Windows 2000 is not quite as good as under XP. Under XP (and Windows 2003, apparently) the gains are much better. Under Windows 2000 Server, the losses can outweigh the gains in some applications. I won't get into it too deeply, but it basically depends on what instruction sets are being used within the processor. This coordination within the processor is much better manged with XP and 2k3 than under 2k. The gains with 4-way processing with Avid and After Effects (the two programs I use most) are measureable, even though I use Windows 2000 Server. I haven't benchmarked this with Folding@Home, but it's probably faster to do two at a time with hyperthreading disabled under Win2000 (since Folding uses such a limited instruction set). Because of the virtual processor management of XP, Folding should be overall a little bit faster, though. Although it's probably faster overall to disable hyperthreading and just fold two units at a time, I don't want to reboot my computer just for this benefit. I leave it running 24/7 and the hyperthreading makes me more productive editing - and I need all the productivity I can get there. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I'm only running it on two computers. An old Pentium III laptop Lew gave me for my birthday (my Compaq laptop died on my birthday), and my edit station. I wish I had the loot to upgrade my edit station - it's running on slow processors that could be bumped up another 667MHz, if someone wants to sponsor me. As far as setting up Folding as a service, I'll write some detailed instructions on my next break, including the files you'll need to generate. I'll include how to set it up on multi-processor machines in case there are some out there... The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I got a request for an update on the Photo/Video Forum, so I'm guessing I've been a tad behind on posting an update. The Eloy Boogie video is plugging along. I have some new things I'm trying to do with multiple angles that've created a pretty steep learning curve. I can picture it in my mind, so I'm sure there's a way to make it happen on the screen. I spent a few hours today just doing color correction and enhancements on captured footage, so that the angles will be closer in terms of color balance and contrast. I'll post a more accurate delivery date within a few days. By then I'll be ready to find out how far the duplicators are backed up. I've also been investigating the idea of making a limited run of DVD's. These would not be factory pressed, so compatibility would not be guaranteed with all set-top DVD players. No extras, no fancy chaptering - just a few DVD's for those who don't have VCR's and others who'll watch their tapes so much they get worn out. An additional note I neglected on the Photo/Video Forum... Another skydiver has hooked us up with an excellent band! This will be one video you will not want to turn the volume down on the TV to watch! I have moved some other music around, and dropped a track or two that were not to my satisfaction - replaced by some very sweet stuff from California. Just as a mention - I still do not have my laptop back! They repaired it, and it died again while they were testing it. More parts have been ordered, and who knows when I'll get it back. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

The Eloy Boogie video is plugging along. I have some new things I'm trying to do with multiple angles that've created a pretty steep learning curve. I can picture it in my mind, so I'm sure there's a way to make it happen on the screen. I spent a few hours today just doing color correction and enhancements on captured footage, so that the angles will be closer in terms of color balance and contrast. I'll post a more accurate delivery date within a few days. By then I'll be ready to find out how far the duplicators are backed up. I've also been investigating the idea of making a limited run of DVD's. These would not be factory pressed, so compatibility would not be guaranteed with all set-top DVD players. No extras, no fancy chaptering - just a few DVD's for those who don't have VCR's and others who'll watch their tapes so much they get worn out. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Both Lew and I have the iRiver, also. Works very well running/working out, and has an FM radio. The FM radio is nice to have. It doesn't have a slot for additional media, but it has plenty of built-in storage (they have up to 512MB!) and a high transfer rate (up to 6.4Mbps). Super compact. One drawback to the iRiver is the armband. It is rather large for Lew. At the smallest setting, it is still too big for her bicep. The largest setting can fit around my thigh. Just looks like an engineering oversight - making the elastic far too long for the avarage person. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

This is exactly the sort of operation I have been talking about. Shutterfly is one of many web based print labs offering this sort of service. They also allow the option of a "portal" to their website from your own. A better solution might be to talk to local print labs with a bit of internet presence that'll work with you to the same end result. Having a local company can save a bit on shipping charges and resolving problems may be easier when you can walk through their door. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Yes, that was a great time, and looking at the view from your camera is even more entertaining, in that I am laughing my ass off, with my eyes closed, keeping Sangiro in-frame the whole time (must've been luck). In defense of my personal attack on Sangiro, I have more footage of him grinning ear-to-ear, including skydives that couldn't possibly be fun, and I had my goggles on the whole time. As far as too much fun... Yea, I have that footage, too. It might be worth big money, someday. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Are you going to build your own, have a local computer store build you one, or get one from Gateway/Compaq/Other? PM me with what you want to do, and I'll give you some suggestions. Make sure you include if you need a new monitor/keyboard/mouse (or keep the old ones), and what your budget is. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

There seems to be a lot of projects ending, and new ones replacing them at the folding project. I have received 8 genome units, with 3 more woking right now. I have two processes set to ask for the Genome units, and received Folding units on those more than 50% of the time. The sudden increase in Genome assignments may be the Folding server having trouble (it was down completely a few days ago), and the Genome server fulfilling requests in its place. Those who have trouble with the graphic client (the "recommended" installation on the Folding@ Home website) may want to switch to the text version. The text version doesn't have the easy interface and kewl pictures of your protein folding, but is more stable than the graphical client. For those of us folding on our work computers, you may consider using it as your screensaver. The screensaver has a history of bringing new users into the fold (pun intended), when they see it and ask what it is. It does slow down the process a bit (it takes a bit of computer power to generate the pictures that could be used to fold), but can generate overall returns for the project by getting new users into the project. It should be noted, folding should not be run on computers you don't have permission to use. I'm sure as skydivers many of us know the philosophy of "easier to ask forgiveness than permission." I am a bit suprised Kev has his client set to Folding only, and still received a Genome unit. There are some pains expressed on the users forum for folding@home about these problems. Most of these posts reflect users pain about not getting credit on their stats for this work. As TB99 politely pointed out - it's not about the "credit" - it's about helping for most of us. Kudos to everyone who does. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Wow! A bit suprising that Adobe put this on their website. I can remember the days when Adobe was all about the Mac, turning their nose up at the "compatibles." It should be noted this test uses the Intel 850 chipset, not the much more common 845 chipset. If you go out and buy a Pentium 4 3.06GHz from your local merchant - chances are it will NOT be built with the 850 chipset - and you won't see these performance numbers (as well as greater chances of compatibility issues with Premiere). There are higher benchmarks coming from the new 7205 chipset, with dual-channel DDR. This chipset does not get along well with Premier, either, so don't jump into the cutting-edge stuff without bracing yourself for a trying battle with Premiere. On the much higher end of Intel, the 7505 chipset (Xeon) also has trouble with Premiere (but can be tweaked or hitched to work very well), but works well with Avid, including on-board firewire (with certain boards). The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

As a general rule: dz.commers rock!!! I've met and jumped with a bunch of us here, and gotten some great insight/advice from several of these fine people. I try not to participate in the war threads for personal reasons, so I'll bring my personal attack here: I was looking at footage from the Eloy Boogie (which rocked - thanks again to Betsy!) and I noticed something that really primed me for this personal attack... Sangiro - you smile too much! I was working with the clip of our Horny Gorilla with Lew and Betsy and you laughed and smiled the whole time! What is wrong with you??? Are you some kind of freak - how dare you enjoy skydiving with your friends??? Don't get me started... edit to add: Special thanks to all who are on the dz.com folding team - helping to save lives and prevent suffering. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

Don't you know how to tell a Hellfish??? I even got to pick a number - #357 The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I think $10 is a reasonable price to add stills to a jump (if you're giving up time and producing a half-dozen nice prints), but here are some things to consider... When I was shooting 35mm stills, I charged $10 extra, and they got the roll of film. From this roll, I'd tell them to expect about 10 good (framable) prints. They almost always got more, but they were a little extra pleased when they got 15 or 20, instead of expecting all of them to be good. They paid for processing, including the time to drop-off and pick-up. They could also get all the reprints/enlargements they wanted. Very little time (except to load/unload film) invested, and a small investment in film per jump. Now we're in a time where digital is doable for skydiving. No more laying off the tongue switch to save film - click away, and sort them out later. Almost no investment on each jump, but the up-front costs are much steeper than a good film camera. The strategy I work with... Take digital stills on EVERY tandem/AFF. Even if they didn't pay for it. It'll cost you a little time, but it pays in the long run... Buy an easy to remember domain name, or forge an agreement with your DZ to use their website. Put up a storefront or forwarding portal to a web based print lab. Print up a bunch of business cards that point customers to that website. They buy prints and enlargements - you get a check from the printing service. There are a number of services out there. Some charge to setup everything, and there are various price schedules. If you have a local photo lab with a good web presence (the service already in place) you may want to develop a relationship with them. It's much easier to resolve problems when you can walk in the door, than waiting on an e-mail response from a lab in Somewhere, Oregon (unless you happen to live there). You will be quite suprised that people will still be ordering prints from months past (and I've heard from the guy that turned me on to this strategy - a year later) of their skydive. Nearly EVERYONE buys at least a few prints when they take just a few minutes to browse over to your storefront. That includes the customers who said "no" to stills at the DZ. I think part of this is the suprising cost of that first jump to many. They shell out a couple/few hundred clams and get hit-up for the "upgrade" packages... "How about a video of your Tandem?... It's only $75 more... How about photographs?..." I think they feel like they're negotiating buying a new car. When they can recover from the sticker shock, and hop on the web at work... "Wow! I need that to hang up in my cubicle." Much more attractive than hanging a VHS tape on the wall. And family members buy them, also. Sort of a follow-up gift for the great Mother's Day gift. Especially if you click away on the people that come along for support (and why not? it's digital - click away). It's not without its investments. It takes time to sort out the useless shots and upload the rest. It's also much like film in that you have to change film (use two cards and a card reader - copy one to a laptop while you are jumping the other) and keep on top of batteries. This' just what works for me. It's working for others, too, but your mileage may vary. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I don't think I can answer all of your questions, but AD will only see the machine connecting to it. If you are using terminal services or another thin client to connect to a computer in the office, and then using that computer, in turn, to connect to AD - AD will only see the computer in the office connecting to it. Some firewalls (the better ones) would see the masquerade if you try to connect through them from the office computer, though. There're some good open source sound drivers out there - just look a little harder. I've seen a box that does 5.1, but I'd suspect they may not be freebies. Not sure why you'd be opposed to a legal version of Win2K. It's quite solid in stability terms, highly compatible with all but the oldest games, does sound and DVD burning in a rather easy GUI, and you can connect directly to AD, without the extra terminal hop. Have you put it to work folding? You should have that nice new box working to save lives, when it's not contributing to geekiness. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

These were taken with a CoolPix 5000 (digital). The light was pretty crappy, and I was hesitant to use a flash, as it might distract the players. I shot them at ISO 800 (the highest this camera goes), with manual color balance and used assorted focal zones to prefocus the camera and "lie-in'wait" for the shot. There's more at Lew's website. Not my best work, but with the lag in the shutter release (variable - up to more than 1 second from shutter to photo) and constant motion and changing focal distance, I think I did well (about 60 times). Id've been better with a good 35mm camera and a good zoom - Or better yet, anyone wanna' get me a EOS 1Ds? BTW - Isn't she sexy? The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

F@H is not multi-threaded, so it does not use more than one processor. You can run multiple instances by setting processor affinity as Jerm mentioned. I have it running four ways on my edit machine, and wrote a script and registry edit to run them as services. This only works with the console version, so you lose the pretty pictures. The strange unit TB is working on is most likely a human genome unit. The human genome project and folding project are closely related (refer to the humongous cut and paste in an earlier post), and folding clients are sometimes given genome units (I've done 4 that I am aware of, and have two processors set to ask for them - if they are available). I do not think you get F@H credit for genome units. It may be because I asked for the genome units, though. If you need some help setting it up on multiple processors, let me know and I'll send the scripts and some step-by-steps. The laws of physics are strictly enforced.

I agree. I don't want to turn this into an internal competition. It's nearly impossible, for me at least, to not make most everything competitive. I choose, instead, to look at our team standing. Currently we are #792. We joined as team #31515, so I'd say we're doing well. I am thinking, instead, of giving some free internet time at the WFFC to anyone who is a team member. Nerds, like me, with a multi-processor folding machine should not be encouraged by prizes like girls (especially since I already have the best one). The laws of physics are strictly enforced.