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Storage…I finally bit the bullet

Taking pictures in 2012 with a 21 Megapixel camera starts to use up a lot of disk space.  My Mirrored (RAID 1) 1 TB DLink NAS drive (Network Attached Storage) was finally nearing capacity, so I decided that it was time to take the next step.  I did the homework and settled on a brand that I didn’t know much about.  It wasn’t cheap, but it was an investment.  It was the Synology DiskStation DS1512+.  It blew away the competition in all of the reviews.  This is a 5 Bay, dual Nic, dual fan NAS drive on steroids.  So far, a few months in, it’s beaten my expectations hands down.  This was a good investment.  It will allow for growth as well as provide everything that I need and more in the mean time.  It’s interface is via a web page and it basically looks like a desktop.  Here’s a snapshot:

I filled it with 3, Seagate Barracuda 7200RPM, 2 TB drives in a RAID 5 config for redundancy, that gives me 4 TB of usable space, AND 2 open bays for future expansion.  The nice thing about this device is that you can connect an additional 2, 5-Bay arrays to just keep expanding your current array if the need arises.  Those bay only add-ons are a fraction of the cost of the main system.

The main features I’m currently using are obviously a file share, for storage of images and other data, an FTP Server for submissions to media outlets, the Media Server so I can stream videos, photos and music across my local home network and basic AntiVirus.  There are so many more options I can install down the road if I have the need, like an OpenERP solution, Surveillance Station, Mail Server, VPN Server, Syslog Server, Auto backup and the list goes on and on.

If you have any questions about it, feel free to ping me.  I’d be happy to point you in the right direction.  My old 1 TB NAS drive will now be living across the country and has been setup with a scheduled backup so that my really important data is not only backed up, but also geographically separated.  Basic disaster recovery.  Bad things do happen, and this is a little insurance to guard against that.  The base system (Synology DS 1512+) with drives (Seagate 2 TB) was just over $1,100, but after getting it and migrating my data to it, it’s well worth the investment.

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Why we jump….

Almost as soon as I met my friend Jonathan Pears, I knew he was going to have a major affect on the sport. His talent in creating videos that evoke emotion and deliver a punch at the same time never seem to cease.  For the past year or so he has begun the process of applying his skills to the world of skydiving, and for that, we will never be the same again.  I’m looking forward to more of his work as time goes on, but for the time being, please enjoy his latest create “Why We Jump” where I was lucky enough to make a few contributions.

Thanks Jon!

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The Color Run in Denver

I found out at the last minute that The Color Run was happening just a few minutes from my house in Denver.  If you’re asking what The Color Run is, take two minutes and watch their promo video:

NOW that you’ve seen the video, here are some of the choice shots from the event.  And if you want more, check out the more than 100 shots I’ve posted in my gallery.  In the mean time, here is a teaser:
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Carolina Fest 2012

I just got back from my third Carolina Fest at Skydive Carolina.  Every year I go I am taken back by how well organized the event is, how well run and how much fun it is at the same time.  James La Barrie deserves a Standing O’ for all of his hard work and lining up 22 Load Organizers and making things happen.  It’s a well oiled machine I tell ya…..

With that said, I’ve just posted up a Gallery of Pictures from CarolinaFest.  There are over 100 shots there and you can order prints and other products directly online as well as share the photos on several social media sites to your hearts content.  In the mean time, here are some of the highlights.  This years theme if you couldn’t figure it out, Hero’s & Villains.  (Photo Booth Shot coming soon)

Thanks for the jumps and see you again next year!

Again, to visit the Full Gallery of Pictures from CarolinaFest Click Here.