nacmacfeegle

Yeah, sorry for the impact damage Jeanne, but like you infer, better to get it straight from the horses mouth. BTW I heard 80% of the forces in Afghanistan were 'contractors', whether that means mercs or support people I don't really know. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"the 2 names mentioned in this article are the 2 people who wrote the article in this months BPA Skydive Magazine" According the Honcho San, they are dotcommers, so I just want to reitterate what HH said over in Incidents on this matter....... I'd like people to refrain from making wild statements or launching personal attacks on these two individuals. Even though they have been arrested, they are entitled to due process, if it comes to that also fair trail and is innocent till proven guilty. I trust everyone will act in that manner. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

And Halliburton's latest internal missive on the subject.... FROM: Dave Lesar, chairman, president and CEO SUBJECT: Explanation of Iraq oil transport contract Last week, I sent out a message concerning inaccurate and misleading statements that have recently been made about our fuel procurement and delivery in Iraq. I would like to explain a few of the key elements in our contract to import fuel into this region. Because of the wartime emergency situation, the Department of Defense asked Halliburton to provide emergency services in Iraq. One of these services is to provide short-term reliable fuel procurement and distribution support for the Iraqi people. KBR has been directed to acquire, transport and distribute fuel through a hostile environment and deliver it on a reliable and timely basis to various locations within Iraq. KBR was tasked with importing fuel in the region until transition to “in country” companies -- such as Iraq’s state-owned oil company, State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), is feasible and reliable. It has been reported that SOMO can provide these services for a lower cost. Let me explain how this is being misunderstood. A key element of this contract is not just cost, but being a reliable source. KBR is bound by guidelines in its contract to negotiate fuel prices on a short-term basis only from suppliers acceptable to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Contractually, KBR has been prevented from procuring fuel contracts for longer than a 30-day period. In addition, all services and their associated costs to execute the mission are subject to the same 30-day procurement limit -- including trucks, trailers, depots and labor. Simple economics dictate that companies who are not bound by these guidelines and are able to negotiate price on a long-term contract basis can negotiate lower prices. KBR continues to negotiate fair and competitive prices to provide fuel to the Iraqi people. KBR used a sound procurement process that was approved by the government for procurement activities and is subject to government audit. Through an open and competitive bid process, KBR awarded the fuel acquisition contracts to suppliers who could meet the very demanding requirements defined by the client, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The contract allows for billing solely for costs incurred plus a two percent fee. The Company's two percent fee is less than the markup for products at a local gas station or supermarket. KBR has a good working relationship with SOMO and has coordinated effectively with it since the fuel services mission was issued by the client. SOMO is a likely candidate to assume the task of supplying fuel to Iraq as soon as the client and the Coalition Provisional Authority decide they have the capabilities to continuously supply the quantities of fuel mandated on a reliable basis. Until that time, our employees will continue to work in hostile environments, where the risk of being killed or wounded is ever-present, in order to bring fuel to the Iraqi people. Please join me in supporting them in their worthwhile mission. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"the easiest way to do it is to record the video from a VCR to a MiniDV camera, then use Windows Movie Maker to bring the video into your computer and edit it. " Kaaaching! This is by far the easiest way to do this. Although you can use whatever software you like to play with the captured DV movies. Take it from someone who cut their teeth with an analogue card (DC30+) then got hooked on firewire (DV300) about 4 years ago. If at all possible use the SVHS connections to minimise generation loss, but I doubt that your everyday VCR machine has these. Assuming the original is not copy protected with macromedia or such like... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

and to get back to the fuel debate.... FROM: Dave Lesar, president, chairman and CEO SUBJECT: Response to inaccurate statements about Iraq work I would like to respond to inaccurate, misleading and unwarranted statements made this week about our fuel procurement and delivery in Iraq. KBR is successfully helping to deliver this needed resource to create some sense of normalcy for those who have suffered losses in Iraq. Halliburton is proud to offer our global resources at this critical time in the Middle East. Because of wartime emergency, the U.S. Department of Defense asked Halliburton to provide emergency services in Iraq. One of these wartime emergency services is to provide fuel distribution support for the Iraqi people. KBR has been directed to acquire, transport and distribute fuel through a hostile environment and deliver it to various locations within Iraq. Through an open and competitive bid process, KBR awarded the fuel acquisition contracts to suppliers that could meet the very demanding requirements defined by the client, the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The requirements included the ability to acquire the necessary and large quantities of fuel on short notice and the ability and willingness to deliver it in a hostile environment. The cost calculations that have been reported for the fuel mission are inaccurate. Contrary to what many have reported, the fuel mission is not limited to the procurement and delivery of gasoline only. KBR was tasked to procure and deliver a variety of fuels, ranging from gasoline to liquid propane gas (LPG) to kerosene and diesel. The costs associated with this effort are not limited to the price of the fuel. KBR incurs costs for transportation, storage, distribution, quality assurance and labor required to manage the operation. Including these mentioned expenses as well as the price of the fuel and the company’s two percent fee, the average cost for the mission is approximately $1.59 per gallon. This is less than the current cost of a gallon of gas in either Washington, D.C., or California. To allege that KBR is overcharging for this needed service is an insult to the KBR employees who are performing this dangerous mission to help bring fuel to the people of Iraq. The drivers transporting the fuel face the real risk of being killed or wounded, and vehicles and contents being destroyed. The contract allows for billing solely for costs incurred plus a two percent fee. The company’s two percent fee is less than the markup for products at a local gas station or supermarket. I want to emphasize that KBR continues to negotiate fair and competitive prices to provide fuel to the Iraqi people. Safety and security of our employees in the region is Halliburton’s primary concern. Since this mission requires extensive travel in a hostile environment, the names of countries and contractors providing the fuel have not been publicly released in an effort to prevent delivery routes from being attacked and ambushed. Halliburton is prepared to meet the challenge regardless of the difficulties and risks involved. For the record....the price of gas (petrol) at my local station in Scotland is about 3 bucks a gallon. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Okay, let's face it, I'm not a big supporter of our political decisions to occupy/liberate Iraq. However once our path was chosen by the break down of diplomacy, I have supported our people out there 100%. Now then, Halliburton pay me, so does anyone want to know what the guv'nor has to say about all this.... "Halliburton was handed the contracts without the normal process of bidding." I understand it was put to tender and competitively bid, so lets put that one to bed. FROM: Dave Lesar, chairman, president and CEO SUBJECT: Defending our Company Last May, I sent you a copy of an editorial that I wrote for the Houston Chronicle responding to criticism of our work in Iraq. (It was subsequently run in other newspapers.) Today, we are still faced with some of the same criticism. As chief executive officer and proud leader of this great company, I have written an editorial that appears in today’s Wall Street Journal. (I’ve attached a copy at the end of this message.) The criticism that has come our way is unfounded. You know it and fortunately our customers know it, too. Without exception, they have told me they understand what we are doing in Iraq, and they appreciate our work there supporting the troops and improving the lives of the Iraqi people. When I see the allegations repeated day after day in the press, I am offended, and I know a lot of you feel the same way. But remember, because these attacks are less about us and more about external issues, we must react in a way that is not challenging, but that presents facts. Regardless of our individual political views or opinions about U.S. foreign policy, it is obvious that these attacks are inaccurate and unwarranted, and not based on the realities we face in Iraq. In order for people to know the truth, we need to be proactive in getting the message out in a thoughtful, non-confrontational manner. Key facts the public should know: -- Halliburton makes our troops more comfortable in a difficult environment by bringing shelter, supplies, clean uniforms and mail from home. -- Halliburton is proud to offer its global resources at this critical time in the Middle East. -- Halliburton has successfully helped to restore needed services in Iraq that will help bring some sense of normalcy for those who have suffered losses. -- Halliburton helped build U.S. warships in World War II, as well as projects in Somalia, Rwanda and Haiti. It also put out more than half of the oil well fires in Kuwait during the 1991 Gulf War and now is working in Iraq. -- Halliburton’s skills and abilities make it one of the few companies in the world that can do the work needed by the U.S. military. Every day in Iraq we: -- Transport 500 million gallons of water. -- Deliver 92,000 pieces of mail. -- Do laundry for more than 100,000 troops – and that involves water, power, detergent and waste water management. Over a year, this is 73 million pounds of laundry. -- Feed 95,000 troops in 57 dining facilities. -- Since May, we have cleaned up more than 45,000 barrels of oil in Iraq, and our work restoring the infrastructure has resulted in the export of more than 36 million barrels of oil -- Helping to create jobs and a functioning economy. The facts are on our side and when they are rationally and calmly presented, the public will see the difference for what it is. We should avoid stooping to our critics’ level of dialogue, no matter how tempting that may be. * * * * * * * * * * * * * The following opinion piece, written by Dave Lesar, appeared in today’s Wall Street Journal A Halliburton cook in Baghdad is a VIP in the Middle East. Just ask the soldiers she serves. She has never met Richard Cheney, the former CEO of the company who now is the Vice President of the United States. Our cook has one mission, to help the troops by delivering meals, as only she can do, and assisting other Halliburton employees to make life easier for soldiers in Iraq. On special evenings, she delivers a little bit of Louisiana to Baghdad. In fact, she delivers lagniappe, the word used in Louisiana that means “a little bit extra.” In wartime, “a little extra” means getting mail from home, wearing clean uniforms, taking a shower, eating hot meals, providing water and electricity, and consuming an occasional platter of Cajun delicacies. For her and all Halliburton employees, lagniappe is her job. And she does it on special occasions for the young men and women working to keep the peace in Iraq. The cook I mentioned is one of thousands of Halliburton employees who are proudly serving in the Middle East at this critical time. Her skills, as well as other employees’ expertise and our extensive experience doing the difficult work that must be done in Iraq, make Halliburton uniquely qualified to serve the Armed Services. We have done this vital work for years, serving both Republican and Democrat administrations. In World War II, we built warships. In Vietnam, we constructed airfields and port facilities. In Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti and the Balkans, we worked alongside the troops to help provide a sense of normalcy to those countries. In 1991, during the first Gulf War, our people helped extinguish over one half of the oil fires in Kuwait. The company was founded in 1919 and has primarily focused on business-to-business relationships. Many people have never heard of Halliburton, despite the company’s worldwide reach and long service to the government. But now, because of politics, that is changing. It began in August 2000 when the company’s chairman, Richard Cheney, became a vice presidential candidate. At that time, Mr. Cheney totally removed himself from Halliburton’s operations. In short, Mr. Cheney has no financial interest in the future success of Halliburton. Despite these steps by Mr. Cheney and the great work of Halliburton’s employees in Iraq, the company’s contract with the government has become a political target. The question raised is not about Halliburton’s capabilities to do the job. The company is one of only a few that actually can successfully accomplish all the work that needs to be done. Let’s be clear. This is not a vacation escape. Our folks deliver the essentials, build the transmission lines, dig the ditches, keep open the communications lines from home, and they have a host of other duties. Our Halliburton employees live in the same conditions as the troops. The particular contract that has been used in political banter is actually an extension of an earlier competitively bid contract. When we were awarded the contract to provide logistical assistance, Halliburton was told to develop an emergency plan in case of war with Iraq. Specifically, we prepared a contingency plan to extinguish oil field fires and rebuild infrastructure that might be destroyed during the war. Everyone remembers the damage from burning oil well fires in the first Gulf War. The hostilities caused some of the damages, but internal saboteurs contributed to the destruction of road, rail and communications systems in Kuwait. The Armed Services wanted to prevent significant environmental damage which would drain that country’s most valuable natural resource. When the Iraq War began, the Department of Defense asked Halliburton to implement its wartime emergency plan that was approved under the existing and competitively bid contract. It is critical that the Defense Department be able to quickly respond to the needs on the ground as they arise. Those who were fighting the war, and who now are trying to keep the peace, needed a support system right away. A lengthy bid process simply wasn’t feasible. There have been allegations from politicians earlier this week about the cost of procuring and delivering fuel in Iraq. We awarded the fuel acquisition contract to the suppliers who could meet the very strict requirements defined by our client, the United States Government. The requirement included the ability to acquire the necessary quantities of fuel and the ability to deliver it in a hostile environment. We continue to negotiate fair and competitive prices to provide fuel to the Iraqi people that will help create a sense of normalcy for those who have suffered. Even our critics concede that Halliburton has the right skills to perform the work. Our employees are there to make the troops more comfortable in a difficult environment by bringing them shelter, supplies, clean uniforms and mail from their loved ones back home. And, we are building roads, putting out fires, and restoring services in Iraq. The goal is to create a sense of normalcy for those who have suffered. Halliburton’s work with governmental contracts is a small but important part of our overall operations. Halliburton is one of the world’s largest oil field services companies, and it is a premier provider of engineering and construction services. We build pipelines and bridges, and we contract with other companies to deliver much-needed energy supplies to parts of the world that are sorely lacking in these services. The services for the military, in fact, produce a profit of only a few cents on the dollar -- we do this work because it is important. And, it has been proven that when Halliburton provides these backup and support services for the military, lives are saved because fewer troops are placed in harm’s way and more soldiers can stay home with their families. Our people are brought in to get the job done and they do it well. Frankly, I know the political attacks will continue. As chief executive officer of a great company with 100,000 employees, I am extremely proud of our work and our ability to do the tough job -- we thrive on the challenge. Every one of us will be resolute in our commitment to deliver the essentials to the men and women who are serving our country. They deserve nothing less. To the soldiers in Iraq, you can count on us. You have earned your claim for a little “lagniappe” like mail, meals, electricity and life support systems. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

I tend to avoid the 'domestic' debates, eg will Arnie make a good governor? type stuff... I do like to hear what like minded ordinary people from different regions and cultures have to say about global issues though, it helps me form balanced considered opinions.... "it's because I hate the fucking Yankees" Ya fuckin' redneck... Joking aside, we are from all points around the globe, its good for us to talk, regardless of our own standpoint. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

I have several international rugby shirts....(I support Scotland and whoever is playing against England!) I will be wearing the Springboks colours, as I just can't bear the thought of supporting the 'Auld Enemy'...

"i just hope i won't have problems with the fact that i installed the premiere on the same drive as the system... " Hi Unue, You should be okay (I'm no XP guru, I still run with 98 SE!), but it IS a good idea to have your footage, preview files, project files etc, all stored on either a separate partition, or a separate physical drive if possible. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"they're not even wearing a rig, is there even the slightest chance that someone could live if they hit the ground?" Yes, more info here http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=267960;search_string=survivors;#267960 -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"Guess everyone now has a place to stay when they plan a trip to the tunnel." There's a tunnel nearby? Fandabbydozy, now I have something to do when I come and visit Andrea! -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Pah, pooters, I fly em, I don't fix em... check the 'about' tab the author's e-mail is there, and he says he will give you the 'source code'. I'll look for the back up calc stuff somewhere else meantime. I'm sure its been posted.

something like this...? http://www.dropzone.com/files/ffcalc20.zip -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Packing, landing, controllability, and price issues aside... A round reserve might keep you on the ground if winds are marginal. Just something else to consider. I know from personal experience that being on the ground because the wind is out of limits for round reserves, while your squared up friends are frolicking, really sucks. I can't see a good reason for jumping a round from new, and I'd be reluctant to have one in my front line rig.. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"When "God" - i.e. an AFF I - tells them they'll be just fine under something they'd load at 1.2 at 20 jumps, why would they listen to some chick at the gear store? " Why don't you get a waiver type document written up, then have the would -be purchaser and their 'technical advisor' both sign it in your presence, you sign as a witness?. Include lots of scary lawyer speak, and a used gear valuation / buy back option with deductions for blood stain removal. You keep the original, the AFFI keeps a copy, and a copy is posted to the NOK.... You've tried reasoning with them, we've talked about legislating, we've talked about educating, fuk it, its time to scare them...... Just as a laugh.........Because it shouldn't really be like this. Maybe 'God' will think more seriously about his/her responsibilities to their clients...... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Ian, you need to let us know what it is you are trying to do.. If you are trying to watch an NTSC tape on a PAL cam etc... And what are you trying to watch it on, you may have to have it converted.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Its hazardous, certainly, but not overly 'risky'. 'Whats the difference?' I hear you shout... A hazard is a particular outcome from a group of events that is undesirable. The risk is a compound of the scale and nature of the hazard, and the probability of it occurring . EG, one hazard in skydiving may be hitting wildlife in freefall, eg a bird. Hazardous yes, but a very low risk. So you need to define 'risky' compared to other similar activities, which I see you've done on your survey. You need to also define risk acceptance criteria, aversion to risk, implied cost of risk reduction etc, it may also do some good to research the principles of ALARP (as low as reasonably practical), and its legal definition. (the HSE -UK govt.-home pages are good for this) You need to actually measure risk in order to make an sort of valid comparison, this will be difficult to do for skydiving as the data is way to spread out and influenced by many factors. eg opportunities for.... avoidance/minimisation of the hazard. control the effects of the hazard. mitigate the hazard. recover from the effects of the hazard. At the end of the day, you need to balance perceived risk against perceived benefits, and then throw a little chaos theory into the mix. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

What camera model are you using Stubbs? PM me to discuss... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"nick buckley on this site... has he got a handle??? does he still have small ears and a big nose?? har har " And a rig in Irn Bru colours.....I ran into him in San Marcos a couple of years ago.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"It should really have a name. " What about 'the Gibbet' Surely you can lay the flash unit flat, that might give you more room for more cameras! Or at least lower the lever/moment effect on your neck. Edit to add Henny's pic... mind its not as bad as Henny's set up.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Pac 750? -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Ruger Hauer....Roy Batty. Scene number?, oh c'mon I'm a geek, not a freak. Based on Clay's favourite bedside scifi reading...."Do androids dream of electric sheep" -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

"It appears that skydiving has started to make a mark in the marketing of editing equipment." Good news its all good publicity. DVC (systems builders) in Brighton here in the UK have been using screen shots of our Red Devils (think GKs on a budget) for a couple of years, certainly since about 99. The magazine 'Computer Video' have done a couple of articles on using NLE suites on DZs etc, and "Camcorder User" has also done a few articles on NLE and filming skydives, again with our Red Freds featuring heavily....

All this talk of ADDs is distracting me from work.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

Yeah, that sample is used at the start of Civil War. -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson