AllisonH

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Everything posted by AllisonH

  1. AllisonH
    Uhh... I have an almost 3 year old Averatec laptop (will have this one for another year and a half or so, then replace when I get a real job that comes with a real paycheck). It has a couple of USB 1.0 ports, a USB 2.0 port, and some sort of Firewire port that I've never used. I have an AT&T wireless router - that's about all I can tell you on that one, I was just glad to be able to get it running. I do have 2 hard drives in my desktop that I'd be willing to take out since I never use it anymore, but I'm pretty sure they're too small to be of much use. Don't remember the specifics, but I'm pretty sure they hold less than my laptop, which has an 80 gig HD.
  2. AllisonH
    Seagate and Western Digital are the 2 I've read the most about. Both seem to have a pretty even balance between people who really love them and people who've had them die in less than 6 months. I'm hoping this is because those who are pissed are more likely to report it? If not, then reliability appears aweful.
  3. AllisonH
    I don't think I have anything THAT important. Having stuff saved in 2 places will be enough for me.
  4. AllisonH
    I'm looking for an external hard drive to use primarily as a back-up for files that are on my laptop, and also to store some old files (that I also have copies of on DVD) that are important but not being used at the moment, so they won't be filling up my laptop's hard drive. Doesn't matter if it's a portable or not - will just be using it at home. Probably looking for something in the 120-300 gig range, less than $200. Currently have ~50 gig of stuff to put on it, but want a little room to grow. The problem is - every one I've found has horrible reviews. Any suggestions on one that's easy to use and reliable?
  5. AllisonH
    It's not supposed to get above 30 on Saturday in Ann Arbor, so I'd be pretty surprised if anyone in Michigan were flying.
  6. AllisonH
    Any chance you want to clone yourself and send a few copies to Michigan? We could use some more people like that!
  7. AllisonH
    Last time I moved, the thrift store in town (I don't remember if it was a Salvation Army or Goodwill or what, something like that anyway) had a sign on their door saying they weren't taking any donations. I ended up giving a bunch of stuff to my friends, their friends, anyone who would take it with them.
  8. AllisonH
    All I know for sure about Oxygns is that the manufacturer told me that if I bought a used one they could change the liner and make it any size (which I ended up not doing). Attached is a photo of my head looking gi-normous. I'm very happy with the way the inside of it fits, so I probably won't be replacing it soon, I just think it makes me look ridiculous.
  9. AllisonH
    I actually have an XS Oxygn that I really like, the only problem is it makes my head look gigantic! I guess if I ever get hit in the head, I'll be glad I have that extra thick padding...
  10. AllisonH
    Are there any full face helmets where the shells come in different sizes? I know sizes on Z1s and Oxygns are determined by the liner - are they all like that?
  11. AllisonH
    Skydive Tecumseh would fly if there were a weekend with decent weather, but it's been a long time since we've had one of those. By decent weather, they mean no low clouds/high winds, ground that's dry enough to not be torn up when the pane taxis, and temps ~40.
  12. AllisonH
    Student Cypres activation is split into 2 altitudes. At normal freefall speeds, it fires at 750 feet just like an Expert Cypres. The higher firing altitude is for partial malfunctions that haven't been cut away, or speed that is higher than flight under a "good" canopy, but lower than freefall speed. See this thread: http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=479307#479307 for further information and links to the manuals.
  13. AllisonH
    I agree. My first H&P was no big deal - I did the exact same thing I'd done on the previous 3 jumps. They did take us up to around 4,000 feet though, and that made me a little nervous because at that time I thought higher was scarier!
  14. AllisonH
    Is there a list anywhere of those who were on the various record formations?
  15. AllisonH
    Sorry, wasn't really meant to be sarcastic - I guess the tone of voice was lost in the typing
  16. AllisonH
    In the video of the meeting that was so kindly posted on YouTube, they clearly said that if for some reason you lost/destroyed/didn't get/etc. your ballot that was send in Parachutist, you could request a replacement ballot. Presumably this would also apply to those members who've asked to not receive the magazine?
  17. AllisonH
    At my home DZ I have been known to on occasion leave my gear unpacked in the packing room overnight. Of course, these are generally the nights that I'm sleeping IN the packing room, so I don't worry about it too much...
  18. AllisonH
    Dang...I'm thinking that sales lady may need to learn a smidge more about her product line! I'd sure hope she isn't trying to tell little girls & their moms that they need to appear more 'womanly'. Last time I was looking at these with my little sister, they had two kinds: one was the "lined" kind (which is what I got her), and the other was clearly marked as "padded" and was intended to do a bit more than cover things up.
  19. AllisonH
    This is an interesting question. My father (not my stepdad who I talk to all the time, but my biological father who calls me on my b-day and Christmas if I'm lucky) called this morning. He said he'd just been thinking how it would be nice to get his daughter something for Valentines Day, and what would I like? Would I prefer something like earrings, or a gift card for Best Buy? It was the oddest conversation, but kind of cool I guess. I was just glad he had thought of me, a card saying that would have been a very pleasant surprise.
  20. AllisonH
    Really? Why not? I say don't buy used unless you're on a tight budget that forces you to buy used. If you can afford it buy new. I generally recommend buying used for new jumpers (although I didn't) but I think military jumpers may be an exception to that. Call around to a few container manufacturers and see who's still offering military discounts. There used to be a really good discount on Wings and a couple of others, maybe Mirage? You can always get used canopies/AAD to put inside.
  21. AllisonH
    I saw it - very cool to see tunnel flying getting some TV time.
  22. AllisonH
    I don't know what the rules are where you live, but at my DZ all students who've been away for jumping for that long would be required to sit through the ground class again. It's pretty common for them to have 4-6 months off over the winter here, then they have to go through the class again in the spring.
  23. AllisonH
    The DZ the original poster is referring to is a small club DZ where things are done differently. Though the DZ is open to the public, it is owned and run by a college club. In order to keep things affordable for college students, they all pitch in and do much of the work around the DZ together. Because of that, many people (including myself) who would not otherwise be able to afford to jump have been introduced to the sport.
  24. AllisonH
    Apparently we really won't be traveling with the tacky hot pink suitcase anymore! Haha!! That suitcase is awesome - maybe they have one like it that's a size smaller?
  25. AllisonH
    I don't mind paying more for extra luggage if it helps keep ticket prices down. I'd much rather pay for services I actually use (when I use them) than for those I don't. If it's just about weight though, why does my ticket cost the same as the person sitting next to me who weighs a good 100 pounds more than me? They certainly aren't going to let me check 100 pounds of extra luggage to even things out!