What can we do about Skyride?

[slotperfect 7]

Keep it on topic, please.

Arrive Safely

John

[kelpdiver 2]

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Compare the directions (from Huntsville) to the "two" DZs:

Not to defend but from what I recall (having been to Pell City before it was an ASC conglomerate) the directions were if you were coming east or west. It just saved time driving. The old DZ website had similar directions.

I don't think so. Both were "directions from Huntsville"

[AndyMan 7]

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That his occupation is "Spy"?

I know Brian. He's one of the good guys here.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[PhreeZone 15]

If any somewhat computer savy people really want to help on this and some underlaying issues with Skyride please PM. I am working on something that could prove to be a huge asset to those that are mad at Skyride but its going to take some time to do it.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[Greene 0]

*bump*

[popsjumper 2]

Could there be any relationships here?

www.ascskydiving.com

www.soaringsports.com

www.skydiveatlanta.net

This last one is of particular interest in that Skydive Atlanta (.com) is a REAL competitor...WTF, eh?

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[WFFC 1]

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www.skydiveatlanta.net

This last one is of particular interest in that Skydive Atlanta (.com) is a REAL competitor...WTF, eh?

Multiple domains get multiple listings in the search engines. If you click through the link, you'll go to ASC anyway.

[ianmdrennan 2]

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This last one is of particular interest in that Skydive Atlanta (.com) is a REAL competitor...WTF, eh?

They're banking on grabbing a few jumpers from entering the incorrect domain name.

Slimey, but not unexpected.

Performance Designs Factory Team

[popsjumper 2]

Exactly my point WFFC and Ian....exactly.

You can look up who owns the domain names....it's revealing.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239

[firstime 0]

I called them on Staurday 11/20 to inquire about a
skydive in close proximinity to where I live (Long Island NY) and was told that DZ's dont exist on Long
Island because of high winds and "Thermals" and I wouold have to travel to a DZ about 2 hrs west of Philly in order to do a skydive. This is hands down
total misrepretation, rather than "we are not affiliated
with this DZ". This is a bunch of bullshit.


**** For every click on there web site it cost them
$2.13, so lets do it and clicky them into default.

[lewmonst 0]

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**** For every click on there web site it cost them
$2.13, so lets do it and clicky them into default.

Do you mean from google?

http://www.exitshot.com

[WFFC 1]

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**** For every click on there web site it cost them
$2.13, so lets do it and clicky them into default.

Do you mean from google?

If he's talking about the Overture or Google sponsored links, they're not that expensive.

[Levin 0]

what do those sponsored links cost? google and msn.

[slotperfect 7]

Question posed specifically to the USPA BOD Candidates HERE.

Arrive Safely

John

[WFFC 1]

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what do those sponsored links cost? google and msn.

Depending on volume, words, when you signed up, etc., ) 10 - 15 cents I believe. Let me track down the login info for one of the sites I maintain and I'll know more...but, you only pay when someone clicks on your link, not before.

[BillyVance 34]

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Could a lawyer or anyone that knows clarify if just anyone can report a copyright violation or if the owner of the copyright has to be the one that files the complaint. Also is there a precompiled form that you have to use or will anything work?

Here's a story I found on cnn.com. Not all of it is relevant, but there are contentions as far as copyright violations are concerned with stolen photos. See below...

Blue Skies
Billy

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - A California-based pornographer said Monday it has sued Google Inc., alleging that its Internet search engines are illegally allowing people to view hijacked versions of its nude photos and to access its Web site with stolen passwords.
Perfect 10 said in a lawsuit filed Friday in a Los Angeles federal court that Google's image search engine gives users illegal access to photos it owns and produced, violating copyrights and harming its ability to profit from the distribution of the photos via its magazine and Web site.
Further, a Google Web search for "perfect10.com passwords" serves up a list of usernames and passwords that would enable searchers to access Perfect 10's Web site and bypass its $25.50 monthly membership fee.
"They're showing the pictures from my magazine and my Web site for free, so there's no reason for anyone to buy my products," said Norm Zada, president of Beverly Hills, Calif.-based Perfect 10. "To add insult to injury, they give away my user names and passwords."
Zada added that his company had sent almost 30 formal requests to Google, asking the newly public company to remove the photos and password lists from its search results. He said it sued after being dissatisfied with Google's response.
In its lawsuit, Perfect 10 charges Google with copyright and trademark infringement and circumvention of copyright protection systems. It further alleges trademark dilution, unfair competition and violation of rights of publicity.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.
Google (Research) had not reviewed the lawsuit, said a spokesman, who declined further comment.
In 2002, a federal appeals court ruled that Web sites may reproduce and post "thumbnail" or downsized versions of copyrighted photographs. Nevertheless, it said displaying full-sized copies of photographs is a copyright violation.

Google's image search results show photographic thumbnails. Some of those thumbnails link to sites that Perfect 10 said are illegally displaying full-sized photographs it owns.
Earlier this year, Perfect 10 sued Visa, MasterCard and other financial institutions, alleging they facilitated and have profited from the illegal sale of pirated sex images flooding the Internet and thus should bear responsibility for any related copyright violations.
Google, which went public in mid-August and runs a very profitable advertising business, has been hit with several intellectual property lawsuits from advertisers seeking to protect their trademarks.

"Mediocre people don't like high achievers, and high achievers don't like mediocre people." - SIX TIME National Champion coach Nick Saban

[CSpenceFLY 1]

I would hate to know that my lifestyle was resting on something that soon could be yanked out from under me.Internet law is fairly new and some people are going to get a rude surprise when it catches up with the rest of the legal world.

Stop Skyride!!!

[PhreeZone 15]

Well, in addition to just stealing photos ASC/Skyride are also stealing Student manuals from other DZ's and stamping their name on it as their own work.

You can find Zhills/Skydive City's manuals here:

Incorrect URL referral emoved by slotperfect, by request
http://www.skydivepennridge.com/AFF%20Student%20Guide%20Pennridge.pdf Here as Skydive PennRidge's.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[ripcords 0]

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**** For every click on there web site it cost them
$2.13, so lets do it and clicky them into default.

Within google, companies can set a daily limit of spending, so that will not put them into default, but will increase their click through rate. This will help to keep their rankings up.

From what I have read on google, their advertising practices are considered less than ethical and they can be removed from the search engine for them. It would be helpful to notify google that these practices are going on, such as multiple bogus web sites, false associations. These work to fool the robots that are used to determine rankings during a search. It's not nice to fool google and they don't take it lightly.

If you believe that their internet practices are fraudulent, contact google and let them know so that they can research the situation and make a judgement.

Also, remove all links that you have to their websites, since they also helps move them higher on the list during a search.

[benny 0]

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I called them on Staurday 11/20 to inquire about a
skydive in close proximinity to where I live (Long Island NY) and was told that DZ's dont exist on Long
Island because of high winds and "Thermals" and I wouold have to travel to a DZ about 2 hrs west of Philly in order to do a skydive. This is hands down
total misrepretation, rather than "we are not affiliated
with this DZ". This is a bunch of bullshit.

So let me get this straight, if you ran a business say, selling hotdogs, and someone called you because they wanted a hotdog. Would you tell them, "man, I personally feel that our hotdogs are the best, but you live so far away, there are some other hotdog places that may be just a bit closer to you"? Nope, you're in business, you're not going to send them to a competitor when it is you that they called after all. Expecting skyride to do any different is bullshit.

Never go to a DZ strip show.

[PhreeZone 15]

>Expecting skyride to do any different is bullshit.

Actually when closer places have agreed to accept your certificates if there is a referal in their area it's not.

So let me get this straight, if you ran a business say, selling hotdogs, and someone called you because they wanted a hotdog. You have agreements with other hotdog vendors in the area to accept your coupons and to give you a cut of their profit from those sales. You send them referals until you open a hotdog stand up near them. Then you keep telling you will send them referals with instead send them you to new stand where you get all the profit.


When the cards are all on the table when this is over there are going to be some very upset jumpers out there I think.

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[skydivegirl 0]

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http://www.alskydiving.com/alabama_aff_student_guide.pdf as Skydive Alabama's

No.

Alabama Skydiving Center & Skydive Alabama are not the same dz. You got this link from Alabama Skydiving's website (which is in Pell City and owned by ASC). Skydive Alabama is a completely different dz in Cullman.

Pink Mafia Sis #26

[PhreeZone 15]

Grrr.. thats confusing as hell again Its on the Alabama Skydiving Center site... John can you correct my earlier post?

Done - SP

Yesterday is history
And tomorrow is a mystery

Parachutemanuals.com

[jumpervali 1]

Here is a copy of a letter I had to write for a student who fell victim to their tactics.

To Whom It May Concern:

This letter is being written and placed on the behalf of **** Sparks. Mr. Sparks contacted Sandor Vali of Georgia Skydiving Center, Inc. located in Rome Georgia in the effort of booking 2 tandem skydives with video. Mr. Sparks was booked for his jumps to take place on 10/30/04. After reporting for the jumps that morning he and his girlfriend were trained. It was then found out that they had called to confirm their appointment just prior the date of the jump, and were mislead to believe that he had again contacted Georgia Skydiving Center. The phone contact person for ASC pressed Mr. Sparks for a credit card number and he in good faith submitted it. A charge was placed for the full cost of both skydives. I, Sandor Vali after being told of this called ASC. They did in fact have Mr. Sparks on their records as having a transaction and said that “he would have to contact billing to cancel the payment”. In my conversation with the operator at ASC she admitted to being vague or misleading when enquires ask “is this the skydiving center in Rome”. A call was received by me from Mr. Sparks requesting this letter because the matter is still unresolved. I placed a call to the billing manager Kelly who was the contact point for Mr. Sparks hoping I could speed this up for him. In a recorded conversation with Kelly (who refused to give her last name) I informed her of what had happened. She said Mr. Sparks will still need to send her a letter from me. It is known know that the billing office I had to contact is 1-800-skyride. Thought ASC, CASC and 1-800-skyride are different companies it seams that the transactions create a direct link between them in financial operations and accounting. ASC and CASC have on recorded enquiries clamed to be the operators for their competing centers in the state. This confusion on the part of the buyer is intended and perpetuated to the point of them paying in good faith for a service they believe is at the center they though they were contacting. With a proliferation of the internet and fraudulent booking personnel ASC, CASC and now 1-800-skyride is suspect in as many as 24 such accounts. A class action on the behalf of the patrons who were mislead into fraudulent bookings, Georgia Skydiving Center, Inc. and its subcontractors is being pursued.



Respectfully
Sandor Vali
CEO Georgia Skydiving Center, Inc.

[benny 0]

Just to clarify, when you call skyride, you don't get ASC, you get a reservation sevice... ASC is a dropzone, not a reservation service. Many people seem to have the two confused. Although some of the players may be similar, the two are not the same. Many of the people who jump and/or work at ASC have no clue who even works at skyride. Once again, ASC=kick ass DZ, skyride-equals nationwide res. svc offering skydives, balloon rides, etc...

Never go to a DZ strip show.