MWGemini

From what (little) I've seen, the HC series seems to be wider, and less easily side mountable (which seems like a more common configuration, at least at my DZ). Another thing I thought of is remote control issues. Have any of you ever encountered a problem where the remote for one system (say the camera or DV player) sending a signal to another piece of equipment (VCR of DVD recorder, for instance)? With our current setup, we use a remote for the camera and I don't know of any problems, but if we were to get a Sony DV player and a DVD recorder, that might change. I've worked around A/V for a long time and have not seen or heard many problems along these lines, but I'm not very familiar with the more modern equipment. Thanks, Mike

As I am new to the sport and have not been to many DZs (mine and Deland only), I can't compare sizes, although we are moderate to large, I would estimate. The DZ owns some of the editing equipment (maybe all) and some of it (I think) is owned by the videographers, but I could be wrong on that. You recommend a tape player. I've seen a miniDV player mentioned here a few times, but no brand suggestions or comparisons. Do you know what a good brand/model is, and roughly how much they cost? Thanks, Mike

I know this has been posted a hundred times, and I've spent the last week reading threads in this forum. I'm currently up to about page 30, with 100 more to go. Let me try to explain the situation as briefly as possible. I am probably going to be getting a job at my DZ in the very near future editing tandem videos. Right now we have a few dedicated videographers, but it would be more cost effective for them to hand their tapes off to a dedicated editor, and I am learning the process. We currently use a linear set-up (3 actually), with digital video mixers, audio mixers, titlers, and a vhs as output. In the near future, they are planning on converting to a straight to DVD set-up and eliminating the vhs system entirely. I'm considering purchasing a camera so that I can begin getting used to having my own equipment and getting to know it well. From reading the many threads on this topic, I think the pc-105 is the best bet for what my goals are (initially, just a player for editing the videos, and eventually, to put on a helmet and film with it, but that is a long ways off). The former lead videographer at my DZ had (I believe) an extra camera that he was going to let me use to do the editing with, so that the others would just have to give me their tapes, but he died last week, and we did not work together for very long, so there is a lot that I don't know. So I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if the 105 is a good camera for this use, and for camera flying in general (I prefer the single unit, non docking station cameras, but have almost zero experience with these cameras), and would it be worth it for me to purchase one in the near future (finances permitting) for my own use, or would it be advisable to just use another spare around the DZ for the editing, and purchase a newer model in another year or two when I get ready to begin jumping my own camera? Thanks, Mike Edit: The videographers at the DZ currently use pc-109s and pc-9s I think, possibly a 105 or two in there. I know some of the freeflyers have 109s and 101s also, but can't give much more detail than that.

Over the last two days, I have been sending out the same attachment to several people. It appears (and I may be wrong) that every time I send this attachment (all done via PM), that it is uploaded from my hard drive to the server. So what is happening is that the server now has a dozen or so copies of the exact same file, and has wasted the bandwidth of transferring that file multiple times. Disk space is not a big issue, but bandwidth is expensive. Maybe there is some way to recognize repeated files (which may require special user input) so that bandwidth is not wasted. I'm sure that over time, it adds up. Mike

All great suggestions, including the ones I've received via PM. Does anyone have any suggestions (besides what's been posted) as to what to dip? Thanks, Mike

My wife and I got married skydiving 1/1/05 down at Deland. While in Orlando, we went to a place called the Melting Pot, a small fondue restaurant with really good food. Neither of us had ever had fondue before that, and it was really cool. So..... My wife put a little fondue set in our gift registry thing, and somebody bought it for us. Do any of you have good fondue recipes/suggestions? Thanks, Mike

The paper is due tomorrow, and I've got it done (I hope). The professor has made me re-write it more times than I can count, and I think I have lost my ability to look at it objectively. I'll send it to anyone who is interested. Mike

I'm finalizing the last draft of a paper I have re-written almost a dozen times and would like to have a professional look it over one last time. I think I have passed the point of being able to look at it objectively. PM me if you would be willing to read it within the next hour or so. After that, I'm going to bed. Thanks in advance, Mike Edit: The paper is about BASE jumping.

I've driven heavy rigs too (although not nearly that heavy). The issue is not the truck drivers, or with people trying to cut them off (although that sucks), but people who are either too stupid or afraid to SPEED UP when getting on the freeway. It seems like people don't realize that traffic is moving at the posted speed limit, and often above it. So they try to merge onto the freeway going 45. I've seen several accidents caused by people doing this, and nearly ran over somebody one day when I couldn't stop in time (and I was only hauling about 30,000lbs at the time). Luckily I was able to drive into the ditch next to the road and not kill anybody. Larger rigs may not have that option. Mike

Hmm. It appears the CSS e-mail address is not working right now. Does anyone know of an alternate? Thanks, Mike

I know I haven't been part of the CSS group for very long, but I knew Steve well enough to know he will be missed by a lot of people. It occurred to me today that I may have been one of the last to see him alive Sunday. Steve was teaching me how to edit videos, and it was really fun listening to him talk about it, and seeing the way his face lit up when he described how it felt to make a great video. It really seems like he truly loved his job and his life. There aren't many people who can say the same. BSBD. On a separate note, I have contacted Nancy about creating a designated driver call list. I don't know if the DZ already has one, but as of now, whether it exists or not, my name is on it. If anyone ever needs a ride late one night, call me. I'd much rather get up in the middle of the night and drive out of my way than attend another funeral. Be safe out there, guys. Mike Edit: I heard this song on the radio on the way home, and it just seemed fitting. http://www.lyricattack.com/g/goodcharlottelyrics/thedaythatidielyrics.html

As I said in the post, it was just a joke. My riggers are very knowledgeable, and I trust them tremendously. I think the biggest issue with the difficulty I have in closing the container (which isn't that bad, really) is that my packing skills are still lacking, as I am still pretty new to the sport, and I am flying the largest canopy that Mirage says the container can hold. No safety issues here, but every little trick to make packing easier certainly helps. Mike

I tried the 550 cord yesterday, and it wasn't much easier than using the packing tool. I was talking with my riggers, and one joked that when he last packed my reserve, he replaced the closing loop as well, so it will be tight for a while. He says that he doesn't feel safe unless he has at least a three second pilot chute in tow on every jump, and the super tight closing loop helps to stage the openings. Seriously though, I wasn't able to get much more leverage with the 550 than the packing tool, but maybe I just need to find the right technique. Mike

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm probably going to try to sneak out of getting pied by you guys. I've seen (and smelled) what you put into those things. That's worse than the chemical weapons training we had to do in the military. Mike

I've got one, but it isn't very useful for the carpet we have in the packing area at my DZ, plus there are a lot of weights around (including the lead safe I wear to do RW). It is in my car right now, but PM me and I'll get the name for you if nobody else replies before tomorrow. Mike Edit: typo

23 years old and I've been doing it since I was a kid. Doesn't really bother me, although I would like to be able to stop for good (I've stopped countless times, but never stick with it for some reason). It's one of those unconscious habits. The good thing though, is that there's not enough nail for any dirt/grease to get under. This is especially nice when you spend a lot of time working in those environments. Mike

Heh. I TRY to do that, but I'm stuffing a Spectre 170 into a Mirage G3 M4, and it's a fairly tight fit. Sometimes I can get the loop through pretty easily, other times it's quite a workout. Mike

I sent you a PM shortly after you posted this. I tried writing a simulator for a game engine a while back, but I'm not a good enough programmer to pull it off. The control scheme would be fairly simple and fairly robust/realistic at the same time. The difficult part comes in turning that game into a simulator that can be used as a training device, but I've got ideas for that too, just not the time or money to back it. Mike

I've got a pack like a pro and fly like a pro VHS tape, but the problem si they are in PAL format. I bought them off E-bay cheap a while back, but can't watch them. Mike

Either get a REAALY good discount or trade up for the new ones at the same price . Seriously though, people die, that's life. If the vehicle isn't damaged, what's the problem? Mike

But he already HAS gear, so it's not his first. Or am I missing something? In fact, he has a LOT of gear. 23 jumpsuits and 3 rigs now? . Don't worry too much about the paper, but I'll definitely read it if you can send it my way. I've got a few ideas I can discuss with you about this weekend. Don't want to post about it though (yet). Mike

I bet the penalty for failure in that class is pretty painful . Mike

I'm not familiar with line types, but 550 doesn't take up much volume either, especially when gutted. It could easily be used as an "emergency" pull up cord for off landings and what not, especially if you use it as a shoelace (I've had to use 550 cord to lace up boots when the laces got shredded on concertina wire, so I know it can be done). Mike

http://pages.ebay.com/treasurehunt/getclues.html 25 clues a day, random times, $1000 per clue, you can only win once. It lasts for a week and started yesterday. Apparently a lot of regular sellers are pissed because the servers are getting bogged down with people doing so many searches, and nobody is buying anything. Mike

I think you're starting a revolution. I have a feeling me and my 1500 foot roll are going to be making new friends at the DZ in the near future. Mike