antonija

So what??!? So your base for all your beliefs is faulty and contains errors even those most loyal to it can not explain. It is a very significant event and an evidence that all is not right in that book. And since there are at least some of the part that are clearly bogus and have no business in there, how about revisiting your beliefs in other parts of the text to see if "little awareness of original language, historical setting, relevant cultures, idioms, etc." maybe wasn't such a good explanation in the first place. [rant] Don't get me wrong: teaching people to be good to each other is all fine and dandy (I do it in my spare time), but honestly there is no need for any supernatural element to achieve your goal. Let alone the need for multi million dollar organisation full of (maybe not full of, but certainly has a fair share of) immoral power abusing paedophiles. It definitely does not need political presence in any country. Nor did it need the wars it spurred and fought vigorously, killed and maimed many people in process. In the name of love and faith. Having a get together of fellow thinkers is one thing, but what we have today... you gotta draw the line somewhere, wouldn't you say? Where is the line for today's Christians? [/rant] I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Do you know what happens to a civilian that tortures other people? We're talking about military here, the disciplined trained and oh-so brave and honourable men and women. I also believe army law is much more strict when it comes to breaking it. As you say: "The Commanding General, BG Karpinski, US Army Reserves, was relieved of command, demoted to Colonel, and subsequently retired.". Oh the horror. He retired. That must suck for him. What about being in jail for the rest of his life or being executed? You know, for breaking the law in most horrible way imaginable? I always thought that we are all equal in the eyes of lady justice, but each and every day I find that some are more equal than others and what's even worse people seem perfectly fine with that, they even approve of it!! I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

I saw that wings design at our DZ and it scared me a bit... thanks for all the info. It makes me like vector a little bit more I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Let me get this straight: You can understand the will of god except you can't. I find that very confusing... to understand something (to me) means that I can find logical explanation of causes and effects. God is angry -> we get hailstorm would be one such (fictional) example. But the author of this topic was asking about Noe and his arc. He also quoted (I think) the part of the bible that described (very detailed description I might add) of how that was supposed to work. He and few others fund that very hard to understand and were given the explanation that bible is in fact just stories, so it's quite safe to safe that it never happened or that it happened on much much much smaller level so it's probably not worth mentioning (after all a man putting few animals on a small boat is not nearly the same as someone taking every single animal in this world on a single boat for duration of... don't really know how long that flood was). Yet after saying (I think it was you who said it) that bible can not and should not be taken literally you still claim to have studied it? I don't mean to disrespect your beliefs but everything said does not make any sense at all. So what I would really like is just a simple straight answers to some basic questions like "can a man understand a will and plan of god?" and "is bible just collection of stories (used to illustrate some mans view of the world) or are they facts" and so on. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

So a man can understand will and plan of god? Because that would negate so many statements I heard from various people... and they "studied" it far longer than 9 months, some spent their entire lives and still say it is not possible to understand the will of god. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

It was you who said you studied gods plan and will. I don't recall hearing that gods plan is above human understanding directly from you, but I've heard it so many times I thought it was agreed between christians that is the case. So how could _you_ study something that can not be understood by a man ever? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

How on earth can you study something that is be default incomprehensible to all mankind? Or is it that all men are created equeal, but those that study Genesis are more equal than others and can actually understand gods will and plan? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

The picture they had on their website is gone (most of the "options" pictures are gone). I would like a picture of how they attach handle to the PC. Is it attached via the bridle or is it sewn on PC full length like mirage? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Anyone still fighting for the people that torture other innocent people with no one taking responsibility (and I'm pretty sure the CO of those accused in Abu Ghraib was in it as well, just covered his ass better). Not to mention all other atrocities that media has no access to, as a soldier you should be familiar with them. I will skip this obvious flamebait as it has nothing to do with this thread. I was hoping you as a serving soldier will be able answer these questions for me as I (as stated) was able to and neither were others involved. I would very sincerely like an honest answer why people still go abroad for no obvious reason and/or benefit. Well formulated and logical response. No, my father explained to me that it does get easier as individual people turn to statistics. I guess he quit the army when he was ordered to kill people who used to be his countrymen (countries do brake apart and usually shit follows). Most people involved in army are not capable of this. And I never said I have the answers, I was simply asking anyone that has them to provide them. Of course it would. But somehow I don't feel it's up to any army to decide if what I'm doing is right or wrong (as a mere idea of a totalitarian organisation deciding rights and wrongs is perverse to say the least). If I'm breaking the law, feel free to report me to proper authorities (that is why they're there). If I'm threatening your human rights or maybe even your life with my actions in my backyard, you're also free to report me. However I do expect (just like you do) to be trialled according to the law, have proper legal representation and a chance to present my case. You would agree this is only fair, wouldn't you? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

There was a big pile of metal being squashed and generally FUBARd. Try taking few tons of steel, drop it from WTC height and then drop some more tons of rock over it. Wait couple of weeks so the puddla has a chance to cool down (thats right; no fire, no explosion and it still takes very long time to cool down) and then look at the pretty iron spheres that formed. You might be surprised. Now lets try new experiment: try to find arguments that does not support your theory and then try to dismiss them (don't bother with counter arguments, just try to figure out why the original argument/evidence is shite). Then please post the arguments and your findings why they are false. Only then you may present your arguments which will fit into the big picture much better than the old one did. Now that's science!!! I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Although I wouldn't put it as blunt as some people did I'd have to agree that the blind trust in the army values, politicians' decisions, etc. that I can see lately is repulsive to say at least. During first world war soldiers were told that this would be the war of all wars, so big and horrible that it would prevent any future war. While this idea certainly sounds pleasing and maybe even worth dying for (even to me and I am not prepared to die for sociological idea that we call Country) it was a lie... a big fat lie. Then came another big one, even more horrible than the last one despite having restrictions on most "inhumane" (you gotta love it when someone distinguishes between humane and inhumane weapons) weapons such as gases and other non-discriminative shit. Now the point of the WW2 was to free the world from fascist and social nationalist (nazi) threat. As far as I know idea of socialism is very much alive in just about every country in the world and is put to work even in the most "free" countries like US. Idea of nationalism seems even more popular these days. Combining the two is really not that hard and funny thing is we all know (or should know) how an experiment like that ends (Nazis are not the only example in our history). Then we stumble upon "modern" wars where there is no such enemy as there used to be during "the big ones". The fact that US has been involved in majority of this conflicts does raise an eyebrow or two, but in the end it's just statistics and their involvement could be interpreted in different ways so lets not go into that now. The point is that a guy (or gal) on the ground with a bullet in his/her head basically has no idea why they are even there. Sometimes they don't know who they fight and they definitely don't know why they fight (except for PR buzzwords like "freedom of speech" and "democracy" and other "meaningful" words). Here is where I get puzzled. My understanding is that there is a part of population that values the idea of country above their life, part of population that loves discipline and order and there is definitely a part of population that just likes to kill shit. The people that like to kill will kill any time, anywhere. No questions asked. The people that like discipline and order will feel really really good if they'll be able to complete their orders and I can understand that this (selfish, egoistic and overall bad) feeling can overcome the reasonable choice not to kill fellow man unless they are trying to kill you (self-defence; not breaking into their house and expect coffee and a cookie). Then you have the nationalists. The patriots. This group is (for me) most difficult to understand. They fight for an idea (surprisingly similar to the one today's terrorists fight for) with no regard to cost (either material or human lives). I also can't understand why the phrase "if you don't want to get shot don't serve" got so much responses as it is nothing but logical conclusion. It's merely cause and effect. The author of that phrase (at least I think it was him) then explained that there are many other ways of how to show your affection towards your country in a non-military way (so the chances of you dying are lower) and without killing other (often innocent but always forgotten) men. And he got shit for that too. In the end I have to admit I have never served in the army. All I have to go is my fathers army career as an high ranking officer and most of my friends being stationed all over the most shittiest places on earth. Yet none of those has been able to come with a reasonable answer why do they do it (kill others and allow themselves to be killed) for no reason/reasons they do not know and will most likely never find out. I also understand the comparison between terrorists and invading armies. Again I wouldn't put it as blunt but the point is the same. No-one should be allowed to just walk into my front yard with a gun and tell me what to do. Americans should be familiar with this concept even more according to the news. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

I recall a post about a camera mount that is able to track a target (target wears a tag). I believe it was being marketed for mountain bike crowd, but they mentioned it was extremely well built and robust so it should work in other sports to. I'll post a link if/when I find it. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

While we're on this subject... Is there a way to request a new feature for search function? Like "sort by" field? You know, sort by date, # of posts, stuff like that? I do love to read 1996 threads about which container is best for freeflying but it honestly does not help with buying new one in 2009. Just a thought... I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Thank for the info. I hope I get a chance to talk to pilot that flew during wingsuit boogie in Hungary and ask him what type of equipment they used and did he have any problems with his GPS due to antenna on board. Back to legal issue: Would airplane hull be considered a "shielded room"? It's impossible to get GPS lock in there unless you're in the cockpit next to window, so I'm guessing the hull is equally capable of shielding reradiated GPS signal from leaving the aircraft (especially with those 2m radius antennas). BTW, I was thinking of getting this thing for our DZ. Any thoughts? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Can you explain more about legal issues? I'm asking because you can buy GPS repeater for in-car use with no legal restrictions (and it also rebroadcasts GPS signal but on a very small area, just like the one in the airplane should). Also how can repeater affect GPS on the aircraft? Apart from giving it a second set of the same data it gets from satellites... I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

I just got response from Claude from trackingderby about the GPS repeater they use in the planes. He says it's a 1500USD worth of equipment but it's portable and doesn't need any modification to the plane. I also contacted organizers of wingsuit boogie that was in Hungary last weekend and his reply was that he just used what they sell in any GPS store but he doesn't know the manufacturer/model or the technical specs, so I'm assuming they used GPS repeaters you can buy for in-car use with up to 2m radius. They were operating Turbolet L-410 which can take at least 18 skydivers and apparently it worked. P.S.: I know this thread is old but I want one of these at our DZ too I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Actually... you can. It's just not practical as comparison of values alone will give you no benefit at all. pH is nothing more that negative log(10) value of H+ ion concentration and that can be determined in almost everything (including solids). I shall now retire back to my troll cave. That is all. As you were. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Get Win7 instead of vista. Much lower resource hog. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Jan/Feb will be quite cold in that region... If you're not very close to Adriatic sea it will be below freezing point. That said you should have some options as far as DZs go, but I'm not sure which close down for the winter and which don't. In Italy you have http://www.skydive-venice.com/ (no english translation, sorry). It's a Pilatus Porter PC-6 DZ. They _should_ be opened all year round. This should be the closest DZ in that area. Then you have few options in neighbouring countries (Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, maybe even Hungary if you're willing to drive for 5+ hours) but most if not all will be much colder than skydive Venice (unless someone decides to organise a boogie on Slovenian or Croatian coast in which case you'll get a chance to do some of the most beautiful jumps in your life). Make sure you reply in this thread a week or so before you arrive and I'll give you fresh info. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

So this would be the correct point? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

Again, you CANNOT measure YOURSELF. At least get someone ELSE to hold the measuring tape WHY NOT!? jesus, operating a measuring tape is kinda not the same as operating a nuclear reactor.. you might encounter problems with the legs tough.. I guess the problem is that you have to stand straight up when being measured and you cant measure yourself while standing straight up. Now about those special points... any idea how to pinpoint them? I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

By "self measuring" I ment someone not skilled in proper measuring measuring me. I think. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

I'll hijack this thread just for few sec: Most (probably all) rig manufacturers use couple of "special points" to take body measurements. What makes this points "special" is the vague description of how to find them and wide interval of results that one can come up with using different interpretations of these points. Here are the two most confusing for me (taken from UPT website): Now I know my bones quite well but hipbone does not for a point. It is nicely rounded piece of bone as can be seen below: Hipbone If you look closely you can see a small thingy pointing out of the hipbone at mid-height and far front, definitely not at the top. If someone (preferably some who is good at measuring people for UPT rigs) could just draw a mark on the picture linked above to define this point I'd really appreciate it. The second special point is the collarbone dip. This one I can find just fine but I'm confused as to where to place the tape. Is it flat on the bone (so it points directly upwards), is it on the top edge of the bone (so it point into the neck; adds few cm), ... The last question is about the inseam. On UPT site it seems they can not stress enough that this measurement should be taken I'm guessing this means that the end of the tape should go all the way to the point where inner leg and genital area meet (which should be "high in the crotch" unless you're willing to put that measuring tape into the wrong places...). After reading about people getting wrong sized rigs even when measuring at the factory will self-measuring really be that bad? Disclaimer: I do not have experienced rigger or anyone experienced in taking body measurements in my area. I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne

The reason lenses are constructed from many elements is the inherited design flaws in each piece of glass. These are not shortcomings of the designer/manufacturer but more the property of the material these elements are made from. In other words: Whatever material you pick it will never have ideal properties and will start causing problems in many fields if you shoot for very wide/tele range. Be it focus blur on edges, colour spectra split, etc. Do keep in mind all these things are addressed when lens is being constructed. Then you have to add the little things like glass purity, allowed tolerances in manufacturing process, etc. In the end most manufacturers decide to give to the public the shittiest product that still meets all criteria they assigned to it at the beginning (which makes sense because no one wants to throw away money on overkilled and redundant thingies nowadays). This in turn led to conversion lenses that were good enough so SD cameras did not notice how bad they suck (they did their job just fine). When HD sensors came out (with higher resolution) the current conversion lenses showed their true craftsmanship and lenses from olden days (celluloid film has kickass resolution so lenses back then were generally better constructed within technological limits) ruled the world again. Some time passed and manufacturers decided that they will provide public with new products: HD conversion lenses!!

I never got this whole "breath" thing.. It's not like people stop breathing.. Actually it is... I don't know why but some people start breathing really shallow and fast and that just promotes stress. Breathing slowly on the other hand makes you more relaxed (something to do with our brain firmware, kinda hardcoded to these silly things). So if you feel tense... BREATHE!! I understand the need for conformity. Without a concise set of rules to follow we would probably all have to resort to common sense. -David Thorne