spage

Ubuntu is one of the most user-friendly distributions around, and a great way to get started with Linux. That said, I'd highly recommend a dual-boot setup if this is your first time using a Linux distribution (Unless, of course, this is a spare machine). The Ubuntu installation will handle all of this for you, down to the partitioning and the boot menu. I have never had anything go wrong during this process, but would recommend a backup beforehand just in case. If you just want to try it out before installing it, you can boot straight to the CD and run Ubuntu without any installation. It is very slow this way, but it gives you a minimalistic view of what your default desktop setup will be like.

+1 The initial correspondence is textbook copy-paste scam correspondence.

That looked like so much fun! Where's the pie video?

The "7 words" bit is a very minute portion of what Carlin did, however it got a lot of media attention. I admire the man for being able to step back, objectively observe society, and provide entertaining commentary on the lunacy that we live in. We, as humans, partake in a lot of ridiculous activities that make no sense whatsoever. Many of his routines are nothing but objective observations about humanity, and that by itself provides for grade-A comedic material.

My mother is the same way. She did not approve at first, but is slowly starting to take an interest in my weekends at the dropzone. I've tried to emphasize the parts that don't sound scary - instead of saying "Mom, I took up skydiving" I said "Mom, I'm spending a lot of time learning how to fly a parachute. It's beautiful up there!" Explaining what an AAD is and why we use them really helped a lot. I think the turning point, when she finally started to show interest, was when I shared a few DZ pictures where I had a massive ear to ear smile on my face. She's a great mom and wants her kids to be happy, so when she saw how happy it makes me, she saw the positives of the sport.

Another fantastic cartoon! Love it, keep 'em coming

Amazing... that is one smart monkey! No way I could do that.

I've met a few people dumber than apes... Do they get smarter under stress??

IIRC, that is the HUD that Jeb Corliss uses for his jumps. I'd be interested in trying one of these! After getting a few hundred jumps, of course

Forgive my noob question, but why is this a concern? Is it simply due to the potential for human error, or is there another reason?

I had the same struggles during my static line progression - legs searching for ground. Jumping out of a plane is not something that comes instinctively to land mammals! Keep at it - as you get more comfortable, it is easier to be more aware and in control of your body position. I'm a new jumper in no position to offer specific jump advice, so I'll just say this: It does get easier!

Was going to vote for "inner skier," but we hardly had a winter at all - skiing in the US was no good. Yes, it was a long wait! 4 months here. Nailed my refresher dive, and have been embarrassing myself on every dive since since

This bagging method is great, thanks for this thread! I've struggled with the traditional bagging method, but practiced this method a few times last night. So much easier, and it looks so much cleaner.

Dude, you stood up your first landing? That by itself warrants a big congrats!

I went through this recently as well, this helped me out a lot: http://www.chutingstar.com/expertadvice_en/buying-gear/43-gear-price-comparison-info.html The general rule is $1 to $2 off per jump, depending on wear and DOM. Also, ChutingStar has an escrow service that rocks for used gear purchases! It is well worth it, if you need someone to inspect the gear and make your purchase safer.

Saw this today. He really is a hero to the kids he visits! Good read if you have a few minutes: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/rosenwald-md/post/who-is-the-route-29-batman-this-guy/2012/03/28/gIQA8nPjgS_blog.html

Hi there, I live in Columbus as well, and jump at Skydive Greene County. Granted I'm a noob and have only jumped at SGC, but for what it's worth I absolutely love this place. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming, I have never run into the skygod mentality. There is also a heavy emphasis on safety. After just a few months there, I have made some great friends and truly feel at home hanging out at the DZ for the weekend. I have nothing but good things to say about the operation and those who run it and jump there.

My first car was my baby, a 1982 Datsun 280ZX. I loved that car! White with the black hood vents, and a red interior. It had T-tops and talked to you like KITT when you left the lights on. Later in life I bought another one, just to relive the fun I had in that car. It just wasn't the same though.

I love lucid dreams! Sadly I usually forget (or don't have time) to write them down in the morning, and by the time I am out of the shower they are forgotten. If you haven't already, check out dreamviews.com for some great info. It is a fairly active forum dedicated to lucid dreaming, with some pretty interesting discussions.

There's skyride for ya.

Bummer . Guess I have pegged myself as a noob, because I am many hundreds (if not thousands) of jumps away from being a great flyer. Thanks for the advice. I'll accept my place as the obvious novice - maybe that is a good thing, as I will get advice suitable for a novice. Sorry for the tangent, OP.

Great read! I enjoyed it, and learned a few things along the way. I appreciate the fact that you emphasize the gravity of the situation (no pun intended) when a new jumper decides to take up skydiving. There is risk, and it is not to be taken lightly. Chapter 2 made me sad, though... I just invested in my first rig, and because I am a perfectionist, I got a matching jumpsuit, container, and canopy. Is matching gear frowned upon in this sport?

Maybe it's time to broaden the definition. If a non-skydiver is a Wuffo, a non skydiver who's snotty about it is a What-the-F**cker.

Congrats!!! Looking forward to that moment myself

Someone sure brought this thread back from the dead! Wuffo comments don't really bother me unless they are both ignorant and judgmental. If you're going to talk smack about an activity and those involved, you should at least be educated before making said comments. The one thing I feel obligated to respond to is wuffo's tendency to fear the equipment - mostly due to the "chute didn't open" stories that seem to be so popular. I make sure to explain that the equipment is the least common point of failure.