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J2Ski Forum Posts and Replies by smartski

Messages posted by : smartski

Unauthorised absence of children
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 38 Replies
As others have said, it has been the case for a number years that absence for holidays will be marked 'unauthorised'.

But just because it not authorised, it doesn't mean you can't choose to take them them out. That is parental choice. We just advise the head teacher of the relevant dates that they won't be in school.

The first time we took ours out we did "ask". The head teacher replied, "Sorry family holidays during term time cannot be authorised by the school. Yours Sinc. Mrs Head. PS Have a nice time!"

What does become a problem is too many days missed, then it becomes 'persistent absence' and you'll probably be under investigation by the school/authorities. Our school sets 19 days missed as 'persistent'.

As for kids affecting 'adults' enjoyment of holidays, yes some might whinge & run a-mock, but in my experience plenty adults are as bad if not worse and more offensive. My kids will give many adults a lesson in dining etiquette and manners.
Chalets
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 22 Replies
If you are looking at Les Balcons in Val T, I stayed there when it was First Choice (its Crystal now). Most the bedrooms had en-suite with toilet, except one which had to use the shared WC off the lounge. Wasn't ideal for the unlucky allocation.

I always make sure it's full en-suite if its a mixed 'stranger' chalet.
Val Thorens Jan. snow and weather cond?
Started by User in France, 44 Replies
daved wrote:I should be there on jan 11...the answer to your question...it depends on the weather

And the weather depends on the dance, does it not?

8 cm forecast for the next 48 hour (through 15th September) but nothing showing at all afterwards. :shock:

Get Dancing
First visit for a while
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 19 Replies
Yeay, another year. Once again we're like migrating birds starting to head back for the season. Of course there are clearly some resident species around as well.
Sleeps till ski time
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 2661 Replies
Are people still going skiing? Good grief...21 sleeps til my SUMMER holiday :D
GoPro HD Video Camera
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 92 Replies
Great family vid. Those kids are way too "cooooool" -)
GoPro HD Video Camera
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 92 Replies
Ian Wickham wrote:
smartski wrote:I found using my new Gopro Hero3 (Black)fantastic, easy to set-up and to ski with (head mount & chest harness mainly) however I am struggling to get anywhere playing or editing my footage ...frankly I think it is just too good for my existing PC set-up.

1) At HD 1080 settings the mega file sizes filled up my hard-drive - had to buy a 1TB external drive. And most players/editing software doesn't seem to support the GoPro's original file, so you have to convert everything first - so that's twice the number of files. The conversion software is free from GoPro.
2) But the resultant files are then mega memory hungry - 3GB RAM won't play the '1080' movies properly, certainly can't edit even a 2 minute footage.

So I'm now looking at a desktop upgrade....thinking going to Apple Mac. GoPro suggest 4GB Ram, what's the minimum spec machine anyone else is using, is 4GB really enough?

Help/advice appreciated!



I have an iMac 4 gig memory, 2.5 gig hz, and it handles all my movie editing ok


Oh ok, sounds hopeful. What footage resolution is that at 720p? 1080p? At 1080 I'm getting 1gB file sizes per minute footage...does that sound right? (sounds a lot to me!)
GoPro HD Video Camera
Started by User in Ski Chatter, 92 Replies
I found using my new Gopro Hero3 (Black)fantastic, easy to set-up and to ski with (head mount & chest harness mainly) however I am struggling to get anywhere playing or editing my footage ...frankly I think it is just too good for my existing PC set-up.

1) At HD 1080 settings the mega file sizes filled up my hard-drive - had to buy a 1TB external drive. And most players/editing software doesn't seem to support the GoPro's original file, so you have to convert everything first - so that's twice the number of files. The conversion software is free from GoPro.
2) But the resultant files are then mega memory hungry - 3GB RAM won't play the '1080' movies properly, certainly can't edit even a 2 minute footage.

So I'm now looking at a desktop upgrade....thinking going to Apple Mac. GoPro suggest 4GB Ram, what's the minimum spec machine anyone else is using, is 4GB really enough?

Help/advice appreciated!