pilotdave

Odd. I was getting that all day yesterday from work. The problem is your domain name servers haven't been updated to reflect the change. Should start working soon. Try hitting reload.

Thats a hard question to answer. I don't pay for the hosting (thanks to mcrocker!!!!), I don't pay for the domain name (thanks cpoxon!!!), and I didn't design the vast majority of the site (thanks lingobaby!!!). But uhhh, I guess I run the show. Or at least they let me pretend I do.

...for those that missed the last post. Very few downloads today so I'm just guessing lots of people didn't notice. http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2 And if you uploaded a video during the 3 days the site was open in February, they are probably missing. Happy downloading, Dave

FYI: uploaded vids are available immediately in the uploaded files category. Even after the video gets approved and moved to the proper category, the link to that file won't change, so you can post a link as soon as it's uploaded without waiting for my slow ass.

Gotta agree too! I'm still waiting for my new container to arrive (gonna be shipped any day now), but arlo has gone WAY out of her way for me. Just made the whole rig buying process really easy. Not to mention also hooking me up with awesome tunnel coaching. And not only is the service unbelievable, their prices on everything were the best I could find. Definitely recommended. Hey Sangiro, how about gear store reviews? I wanna give them 6 stars! Dave

Yeah, that's one of the missing files. Try some of the older ones. Files uploaded around 2/23/04 will mostly be missing. Files never stream from skydivingmovies.com, so you're right, media player doesn't even attempt to open until the download is complete. It can't be part of the problem. Dave

Is that the mantis position?

Yep, that'll be coming along someday. Movie duration might also make the list, for those that like the longer movies. Dave

Ahh that's probably it. I'm sure we use an old version of media player. They won't install any software until it's been thoroughly tested. For example, office 2000 has some known bugs, which were fixed YEARS ago by a service pack. In my case, Outlook schedule reminders come up late. So instead of installing the service pack which fixes this known bug, they bought me a palm pilot. And yeah, if kennedy's talk is as embarrasing as it sounds, I'm going to need the high quality version.

Happens with all wmv files, or just some? Keep trying. Files that are missing from the server might do that. Which files is it? Dave

I dunno what you said, but I know its going in the next Maryland Skydiving intro video! Dave

Hey, any clue why I'm getting only sound and no picture? (Well, I'm at work and don't have sound hooked up either, but I asume its there). Any special codec? I can't install codecs here anyway so I guess I just need to wait till I get home... Dave

Alright, the site is back up. NOW WHERE ARE THE CHICKS I WAS PROMISED!?

Have the beer sent to mcrocker! Dave

Dontcha love that?? I was getting over 500 in testing yesterday, and I even hit over 1000 from work today. Expect the site to start generally running faster (other than download speeds) by tonight or tomorrow when we switch database servers. That will probably also solve the filesize not showing issue. Anyone found anything else that doesn't work properly? How about the different languages? Everything look right? Dave

I had no problems flying into and out of the DC area in January with my (cypres-equipped) rig in a carry-on bag. I checked the rest of my skydiving stuff. At the x-ray machine I was prepared to argue my case, but I might as well have been carrying a bag full of underwear. Absolutely no delay, questioning, or inspection at either end. Some people have had different experiences, but it's not all bad. Dave

EXTREMELY glad to hear that! I was wondering why the site ran so slow and the downloads were so fast. The database changeover will be done tonight. Dave

I do still have the codecs pack. I was trying to find a good one I can link to instead of putting it directly on the site, but I might be able to temporarily. It's called Ace Mega Codecs Pack if anyone wants to try to find it elsewhere. Kazaa Lite also used to have a codecs pack on their site if anyone can find that. It's called K-Lite Codecs Pack. Dave

Those files are just missing and need to be uploaded. Dave

even with /ver2? The DNS change just took place. It might just take a while to propegate. Try again in an hour...or 10 minutes if you cant wait that long. Dave

SURPRISE! Weeeee're baaaaaaack! http://www.skydivingmovies.com/ver2 Special thanks to mcrocker, who has donated EXTREMELY generous hosting. Also thanks to lingobaby who designed just about the whole site. He also made the WONDERFUL catch that the previous host never actually shut off my account to the database server, saving the "meat" of the site from being lost forever. The last files to be uploaded are gone and will have to be reuploaded. Also there are still a few issues with some of the scripts (file sizes don't show up every time), and I'm sure there are files listed that no longer exist on the server. But these things will get taken care of. The site is again only linked from dropzone.com for now. PLEASE give me feedback on any bugs, or anything that you think should be changed. Again, I know that file sizes dont always show up, and it would be nice if they showed up in the file lists. Working on those. Edit: If the site appears to be completely broken, it's probably the database server cutting us off... long story but it'll be fixed soon if it's broken! Have fun, happy downloading! Dave

Yes, I have an update. Dave

Infinology (wont even bother posting a link) has very cheap hosting (under $7/month for 9 gigs of hosting), but they're lying bastards out to steal your money... at least as far as I'm concerned. Stay far far away! Edit: Just to be more specific... under 33% of the traffic from your site must be html files. Thats why they can offer 9-35 gigs of space. It's virtually impossible to actually use that much space because of their rules. If you want to have a gigantic site with nearly all text and a few pictures, then fine. But damn near any site that big is going to have more other stuff than text. Dave

Yeah, I gotta agree with skybytch about demoing everything before you choose. It can be hard to do when you don't own a container. You could possibly buy a container and reserve first, and use it to demo canopies. I was really ready to buy a spectre based on everything I read about it. Even after jumping it I was pretty sure it was what I wanted. Then I tried the Sabre2, which I was barely considering because of the higher performance that I didn't want, and changed my mind completely. To demo a canopy, you'll need a container, deployment bag, and pilot chute. You don't need risers. The dbag and pilot chute should come with any container you buy (new or used...buy used!). I'm sure there are places you can demo canopies and containers. Might want to ask at your DZ. Dave

I agree with anyone that says not to do more dangerous jumps just because you have a cypres. But Bill goes way beyond saying that. It sounds to me like he's saying that jumpers have something to prove by making a single jump with no cypres. I don't think that proves a thing. Odds are, on my next jump, I won't need my cypres, pretty much no matter what I plan to do. So does making that one jump without a cypres prove anything about me? I wear a cypres on every jump because on some random jump, when I least expect it, I might just need it. Knowing that on some random jump they might lose altitude awareness or get knocked out, a lot of people choose to ALWAYS use a cypres. I simply can't see how that is bad. Now I think Bill's point is that when we jump with no cypres, maybe we'll be more altitude aware and not take as many chances. I agree that we should be just as altitude aware and not take those chances even if we have a cypres. But I don't agree that a single cypresless jump proves a thing about anyone or makes them a better skydiver in any way. I see the point about jumping with no altimeter, or the altimeter covered. I wish he'd caveat that with the recommended experience level to start pulling without looking at an altimeter, since I don't really need a bunch of people pulling at 7k by mistake when I'm above them. But I don't see a parallel to the cypres. Jumping without a cypres isnt a skill, it's simply an extra risk (at least in some peoples' view). Dave