Friday, 24 July 2009

Magazine - educational


A friend of mine once remarked that CR seesm like a great magazine "until they write about something you actually know a bit about..." and that's the problem with CR. They're great when it comes to quantifiable things like repair frequency, reliability, warranty information and so forth. They're much less useful when it comes to reporting on subjective things, or on technical matters. That's a problem with trying to review every possible consumer item; you can't be an expert on everything. Sure, CR has their own labs and testers, but they're as likely as not, when confronted with something they can't quantify, to come up with some arbitrary measure and then rate products on that. For example, I've read some hilarious HiFi reviews that never involved actually *listening* to units. Instead, they take some statistic they consider to be critical and rate all units on that. Computer reviews often are very superficial- you'd do far, far better with PC or a similar magazine. And some of their financial advice on life insurance, mortgages and investment has been rather narrow, preaching single solutions for all. So yeah, read CR when you're buying that next vacuum cleaner, or toaster, or popcorn popper, but before making any major purchasers or investments I'd look a bit further than the pages of CR. Consumer Reports (1-year auto-renewal)

As a 25-year reader of and current subscriber to Consumer Reports (CR), I find the magazine quite informative and money-saving, despite some flaws, which I discuss below. CR covers a wide range of consumer goods such including automobiles, small and large home and garden appliances, consumer electronics, groceries, and more. They also cover a variety of services such as car insurance, hospital billing, mutual funds; and issues such as consumer privacy and safety. I enjoy their clear writing style, informative photos, charts that pack a lot of information into an easy to understand format, and helpful index of products covered in the past year's back issues. Each month I first check their "selling it" section on the inside back cover, where they chronicle "excesses in the world of marketing" with photos and delightfully sardonic yet understated comments.I consider CR's product testing and research of tangible consumer goods to be among their strongest assets. When I bought my car and digital camera, CR was the first place I turned for market research. The product tests, comparisons, and recommendations are first rate. Also, CR gave this tool-clueless read a good education on cordless drills. :-) CR buys all consumer goods themselves and doesn't accept gifts or advertising, which helps them maintain impartiality. CR does have some biases though. They're very luke-warm toward any type of alternative medicine. Several years ago, I laughed when they pronounced acupuncture, practiced successfully for thousands of years, a sham. Overall, they're quite mainstream, not taking into account purchasing factors increasing numbers of people now consider, such as whether an item is made with slave labor or tested on animals. Often, they'll only review a token "green" household product made of recycled paper or non-toxic ingredients. However, they do cover hybrid automobiles, but not fully electric ones. You may not always find the brand you're looking for within a product category. Their report on luggage might not cover the brand of suitcase you're evaluating, but does provide good advice on what to what to look for when choosing a suitcase. Recommendations: There's probably less of a need for CR now that one can find so many reviews and testimonials on the Internet. Yet they're fabulous for side-by-side professionally-conducted product comparisons of features and performance, as well as information of interest to consumers. If you only want to consult CR to research an occasional purchase, it may suffice to check CR out of the public library. But if you like to keep up on product technology and issues of importance to consumers, you may benefit from a subscription. When making a purchasing decision, don't automatically buy the best-rated item in the category. Carefully evaluate how the product features fit your lifestyle, plus any price/feature tradeoffs. Two years ago, I purchased the top of the line digital camera, found it difficult to use, and traded it in for an easier to use digital camera rated a bit less highly but which works better for me. Overall, despite its flaws, CR is one of my favorite magazines and I read it cover-to-cover the day it arrives in my mailbox.

Consumer Reports is in a league by itself. Where else are you going to find reliable information and comparisons on consumer products without the conflict of interest of paid advertising? However, it's a small monthly magazine; so don't be surprised if (1) several issues review no products you're interested in and (2) the item you're thinking of buying was last reviewed six years ago and the information is completely out-of-date.A less serious problem is that the magazine's reviews occasionally give a product a mediocre rating for reasons that I find picky or insignificant. However, their criteria are clear, so it's not hard to know when this is the case. From time to time, they also seem to miss the point. For example, a faucet-mounted water filter is said to clog easily, when in fact it's designed to cut off after so many gallons. Removing the filter cartridge and reinserting it--which the manufacturer understandably advises against--takes 10 seconds and returns the flow to normal.Nevertheless, I like the idea of what Consumer Reports offers and represents. That alone might be a reason to subscribe, if you have some disposable income for a good cause.I don't subscribe and as someone who lives and earns modestly by choice, I probably never will. Instead, I consult Consumer Reports at my public library whenever I'm considering a purchase that the magazine might be helpful with. This has two advantages: (1) I save the price of a subscription and (2) I feel less disappointed and frustrated when it offers no useful information on a particular product (about 60% of the time).If you buy a lot of consumer products beyond the essentials, then your chances of finding the magazine helpful are increased, the price of a subscription perhaps no problem, and the magazine is probably for you. If you're not sure, consult the magazine at the library before you're next couple of purchases. Then you'll know for yourself whether it's worth having your very own copy in your mailbox every month. - Educational'


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Magazine - educational educational Magazine - educational

Nice Package Of Picture Hooks And Pins I... - picture hangers


The picture hooks firmly hold the wall pins in a plastic block which stops them getting separated and makes it even easier to hammer them into the wall. The tidy tin is a neat idea, though it took some time, effort and ingenuity to open it the first time. Altogether a neat idea. OOK 50607 ReadyNail Conventional Picture Hook Tidy Tin Supports Up to 20 Pounds, 30 Pieces, Brass

Read carefully the description. When it says "pieces"

it counts the each nail as a piece. When it says

you're getting "30 pieces" it means you are getting

15 only; the other 15 are the nails! Deceptive? I think so. - Picture Hangers'


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Nice Package Of Picture Hooks And Pins I... - picture hangers picture hangers Nice Package Of Picture Hooks And Pins I... - picture hangers

Canon Digital Camera Battery - canon battery, canon


This item is not as critical as a backup because the SD700 has an improved battery life but it is still a great item to carry because you may find yourself running more video on this camera.



However, also consider the: Canon Digital Elph Accessory Kit for Canon SD700 IS Camera which includes a battery pack, a nice leather case and a few other items for not much money than you will spend for the batter alone.



Cheers - awesome camera! Canon NB-5L Battery Pack for Canon SD700IS, SD790IS, SD800IS, SD850IS, SD870IS, SD880IS, SD890IS, SD900, SD950IS, SD990IS, SD970IS & SX200IS Digital Cameras (Retail Package)

I decided to buy the Canon battery instead of a generic battery because a store "expert" told me the generic batteries don't last nearly as long. I recently went to Greece for one week armed with 2 batteries. My husband and I took many pictures with our SD900 (257 we kept- we "trashed" countless others) and viewed them at the end of every day. Our first battery lasted 4 days (200+ pictures and at least 4 viewings on the lcd screen) and the second battery never ran out during the week. Buying the battery through Amazon cost half the price of buying at the major electronic store. I would buy this battery again. The second battery is very useful in another country if you don't want to use a voltage converter plus a plug adaptor. Plus if your battery runs out while you are sightseeing you can still get pictures. To be fair, I've never used a generic battery so I can't compare the battery life of generic vs canon. I can only say the battery lasted through 200+ pictues (4 days of pictures).

I got this as a backup for the Canon PowerShot SD800 IS camera.

Canon PowerShot SD800 IS 7.1MP Digital Elph Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Image-Stabilized Optical Zoom



The battery has worked great so far, you can shoot probably 250 photos per battery, so one battery is often enough, but having a space is good insurance.



In the past I have bought non-name brand batteries for digital cameras and have had checked success. Since these are OK price from Amazon, it's much lower risk.

I bought this to go with my SD700IS because I wanted to keep it all oem and just as the one that came with the camera I have to admit I have never seen a battery last longer I have had the camera for almost 4 months now and between the 2 batteries I have only charged both 1 time and believe me I use my camera allot!

The Canon NB-5L Battery purchased is OEM. The capacity is 1120mAh. Last a long time using my SD800 IS camera. I've taken about 300 shots (about 1/3 with flash) before having to recharge the battery. It's good to have an extra battery anyway and because it's small, having an extra battery in the pocket is not a problem.

Worked extremely well with my SD800IS. Bought it as a spare for a weekend getaway. The camera itself gives little notice of a low battery but, the battery itself holds a charge wonderfully. I only swapped the batteries out twice (so, three full charges) and took over 350 pictures over 4 days. Not to mention the price was great for something that I couldn't find locally.

The packs works well and charges relatively quickly. I always carry a spare battery pack in case of problems or emergencies or I use the camera alot. O have had no problems afer one years of use with the battery pack. i have had a number of different kinds of battery packs and I would suggest that the packs be replaced when you have difficulty in holding a charge or a long period to recharge since it may be approaching the end of its useful lifetime and fail when you are taking picture.

I have had 2 different Canon SD cameras, and the difference between the Canon and Best Buy generic replacement batteries was night and day. The increased confidence that my battery wouldn't crap out at the time I needed it most was worth the slight extra price. Though, here on Amazon, the factory is cheaper than at Best Buy.

I bought this battery as a spare to use with a Canon SD870. As far as I can tell, it is the same as the battery that came with the camera. A battery like this has advantages and disadvantages. It is small and flat, so a camera using this battery can be compact and slim. On the other hand you can't just run into any convenience store and buy a replacement like you could for AA batteries. Since a replacement might be hard to find on short notice, I think a spare is a necessity. Both the original and the one I bought from Amazon work great. They last a long time before they need to be recharged. The only problem I have with the battery is that it was very expensive. I haven't tried any cheaper batteries from other companies to see how their performance compares, but if I were to buy another battery for the SD870 I'd try a cheaper copy. - Canon - Nb-5l - Canon Battery - Camera Battery'


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Kindle Devices - ebook, kindle devices


Can't beat it!



Air tools are rated to run at 90 PSI. They all work, but I haven't had the chance to actually use them on something.



The only thing to complain about is why they left out an air chuck for pumping up tires?



I had to buy one separately.



Nice kit, and the hose is a rienforced braided, inner and outer layer type not just a rigid, coiled, solid nylon tubing.



Smooth running and has a all metal screw in air filter (into the head) with a replaceable inner paper cartridge.



Quality is very good on the compressor and the tools.



Even has a thick blue metallic paint job on the tank and thick, silver metallic paint on the handle!



Perfect for a starter kit for someone like me using it occasionally and without any prior air tools, etc.



Small and compact. Well thought out. All brass fittings and copper tubing. The chrome plating is even good on the chromed parts.



Came with staples and brads too. Nice metal lever ON/OFF switch. No cheapo type plastic parts all over, except cover to direct cooling air over the cylinder and head, and it's not a cheap plastic. It has separate motor cooling and cylinder & head air cooling. Air blows out of the crank housing through two slats and air blows up the ramp cowling and over the head and cylinder. It also has two hose connections as well.



Nice little, quality setup for the money. Guess Hyundai wasn't going to just stick their name in big letters on a piece of junk.



Break in period is to run it with the tank drain open for 15 minutes. Hyundai HPC6060 6-Gallon Air Compressor Kit - Ebook - Kindle Devices - Drm - E-reader'


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Don Coscarelli - elvis presley, horror


In the tradition of the "Evil Dead" movies, Bruce Campbell is back in true form in this horror/comedy/drama flick that's a roaring good time. You just don't know what to expect next once you start this bad boy. Filled with laughs, horror and surprisingly, heart, "Bubba Ho-Tep" is everything you'd want from a B-Movie and more.Campbell stars as an elderly Elvis who lives in a Texas retirement home. People keep thinking he's just an impersonator off his rocker, but in reality he had traded places with an "Elvis" impersonator so he could get away from all of the fame and hardships of a rock-n-roll star. However, something strange has been happening in this retirement home. Folks are dying mysteriously every night without any clear explanation. As it turns out, an Egyptian mummy is the cause for the deaths and it needs to feed on their souls to stay alive. It's up to Elvis and his buddy, JFK, to take on this monstrous foe before it slaughters every living person in the retirement home. The end results are unpredictable and off-the-wall.The premise alone intrigued me to see it. That, and Bruce Campbell. I'm always in the mood to see a good funny horror movie, and this movie did a great job of fulfilling that need. Not one minute went by where I was bored or disappointed. While the story may be over-the-top, it's done in such a creative and clever way. The movie has fun with itself and it's very easy to see. Bruce Campbell does a marvelous job as "Elvis," and let's not forget the great Ossie Davis as the one and only "JFK." The movie combines elements of comedy, drama and horror. It doesn't know what it wants to be at times, but the cast knew that from the get-go and they even goof on that fact (watch the featurettes and listen to the commentary).The DVD has some outstanding features. The movie sounds and looks really good for a flick that was done under such a low budget. The commentary tracks are definitely worth you time, and you MUST listen to the commentary track where Bruce Campbell does it as "The King" and stays in character the entire time. It is the funniest thing I have ever heard. Other extras include featurettes, a music video, deleted scenes, the original trailer and more. All of this makes one heck of a great package."Bubba Ho-Tep" is a great time from Campbell and company. Any fans of the "Evil Dead" movies will definitely want to put this on their list. Just keep in mind that this is a movie that you watch to be entertained and nothing more. This movie was pure enjoyment from beginning to end. It's bound to become a classic sooner or later. The King still lives, Baby! -Michael Crane Bubba Ho-Tep (Limited Collector's Edition)

I read about Bubba Ho-Tep in a magazine review which, naturally, highlighted Bruce Campbell's spot-on Elvis. The review did not prepare me for the mix of emotions evoked by this odd and even sweet film. Imagine Elvis and JFK living in a tired old-folks home in West Texas. Now imagine a cowboy-booted mummy who's made the home his personal feeding ground. If you can do that, you've got the odd part down. The pathos that comes from setting, from the failing health of its heroes, not to mention the sense of loss so well portrayed by Campbell....lost relationships, lost chances, lost life....makes for some very sweet, but never maudlin, moments. Of course it wouldn't be a movie about old folks if there weren't a bit of crankiness. Again, Campbell comes through with some very funny takes on an old man's obsession with bodily functions. Finally the movie is surprisingly moving. The real enemy is death, and the only thing worse than death is a wasted life. Elvis is given one last chance to end well.



One could watch Bubba Ho-Tep and see only a self-conscious B grade horror flick. I suspect that approaching the film with such expectations could lead to disappointment. There are better made, more expensively produced such films to choose from.



But if one watches Bubba Ho-Tep with a bit more care, one may find instead an odd, sweet, sour and wierdly moving meditation on aging, death and (yes) the meaning of life.

Don Coscarelli, as much as I love the "Phantasm" series, hasn't offered us much more than those films over the last thirty years or so. Come to think of it, Coscarelli took his sweet time bringing us the few sequels to the first "Phantasm." Doubtless he had problems securing financing, always a serious problem for an independent filmmaker operating outside the secure bubble that is the studio system. Now that I think of it, I know for a fact he has serious problems raising money--his long promised "Phantasm 5" has been languishing in development limbo for what feels like an eternity. While those of us who adore the Tall Man, Reggie, and Mike wait for the conclusion to a wonderful ride, we can content ourselves with the amazing low budget film that is "Bubba Ho-Tep." The hype concerning this project reached levels of hysteria on various Internet sites the likes of which I haven't seen since...well, ever actually. Cult film fans went nuts over "Bubba Ho-Tep" before a single frame went before the public eye. It's not difficult to understand why: Coscarelli directing, genre favorite Bruce Campbell starring, and the plot provided by eclectic writer Joe R. Lansdale.



"Bubba Ho-Tep" lives up to the hype, if not exceeding it. Imagine if you will a story involving an aging, far from deceased Elvis Presley (Bruce Campbell) pairing up with a black guy who thinks he is President John F. Kennedy (Ossie Davis) in order to fight an evil, soul sucking Egyptian mummy who preys on the elderly residents of a Texas retirement home. Wow. That's a plot that only someone who took the brown blotter at Woodstock could come up with, right? Not when Joe Lansdale is at the helm. I've only read two of his books to date, "Sunset and Sawdust" and "A Fine Dark Line," neither of which had anything to do with horror, Elvis Presley, or mummies. But the oddball characters and situations in those two stories did hint at a writer willing to take a few chances with tried and true formulas. From what I've gleaned over the last year or so, "Bubba Ho-Tep" isn't Lansdale's weirdest story. He apparently wrote several short stories and novels consisting of historical figures in unlikely alliances embarking on some strange quest. One of the great extras on this DVD version of the film is hearing Lansdale read the first chapter of "Bubba Ho-Tep" while storyboards of Elvis lying in bed pass by on the screen.



Speaking of Elvis in bed, the film begins with a despondent and supine Presley wistfully recounting the ups and downs of his life as the threat of cancer rears its ugly head. We discover exactly how the King ended up in a retirement home instead of a grave in the late 1970s; Presley, weary of fame and his life on the road, switched identities with an impersonator. This fake Elvis was the one who passed away from excesses while the real Elvis cranked out the hits at county fairs and other small venues. It was during one of these performances that he fell off the stage and broke his hip, an injury that kicked off his long, slow decline into infirmity and old age. Of course, no one in the retirement home buys for a second that he's the real deal, and no one really cares about him. He's just another old guy with no one coming to visit him. Then the home's death rate soars thanks to the arrival of the mummy, and it isn't too long before Elvis teams up with the aforementioned wheelchair bound President Kennedy to battle this ancient evil. Bubba Ho-Tep is a scary chap; a desiccated, shuffling creature sporting boots, a cowboy hat, and a face that could birth a thousand screams. As Presley and Kennedy form their alliance, they slowly come back to lives filled with purpose and meaning. They also come to an understanding about their mortality and each other.



"Bubba Ho-Tep" isn't so much a horror film as it is a comedy of epic proportions. How can anyone watch a film that features Elvis battling a mummy with a walker without laughing? Or fail to chuckle about the great bit of dialogue between Elvis and Kennedy as they mull over the possible meanings of some hieroglyphic graffiti scrawled on a bathroom stall by the mummy? Coscarelli's film is so hilarious that I often set in open-mouthed wonder at the shenanigans unfolding onscreen, too overwhelmed by the plot's cleverness to laugh until later. I'm going to go out on a limb here by saying that the film's greatest strength, at least for me, is how Campbell and Davis made the whole thing so darn believable. Did anyone else experience this phenomenon? I had to laugh at myself for so totally buying into such a metaphysically bizarre storyline. The government covering up the JFK assassination by dyeing the president black, putting a bag of sand in his head, and depositing him in a retirement home? Sure, I'll buy that. The movie makes you believe in a way few fantasy films do.



The amount of extras on the disc take forever to wade through, but is well worth the effort. The commentary track with Coscarelli and Campbell is great, but even better are the audio comments from Campbell in his Elvis character. We hear the King snacking away on chips while he takes the film to task for its strong language and violence. The featurettes are wonderful, describing as they do the special effects in the film, the costumes and makeup, and the awesome musical score. Whether Coscarelli ever makes "Phantasm 5" is open to debate, but he's definitely back in the game with this masterpiece. "Bubba Ho-Tep" is one of the best films I've seen in the last couple of years. - Horror - Comedy - Elvis Presley - Cult Classic'


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Military History - third reich, pictorials


As a history buff, I truly appreciate DK's new WWII book.



Unlike many history books,this collaborative effort combines a world view of the war. Utilizing newly released archival photographs and reports, the events are reported in a largely unbiassed perspective. The team of writers takes readers from 1914 (WWI) to 1950, and the aftermath of the many political events and agreements.



There are many features that make this book unique. The various time lines included detailed history month by month for the various camps during the war. The sheer number of remarkable photographs probably numbers in the 1000's. Rare German medals, personages, allied tool kits, and on-field documentation (German/Japanese/US/British/Italy) are sprinkled liberably over the 360 plus pages. Quotes are well chosen and the different campaigns are covered.



It is truly amazing that information of this quality is now available. Moreso, the different reports and original material must have been staggering.



No WWII history class should be without this book.



Tim Lasiuta World War II: The Definitive Visual History

XXXXX



"The treaties that ended World War I left many countries bitter and resentful and failed to establish a lasting peace. In the political and economic uncertainties of the time, right-wing Nationalist parties had a strong appeal, most ominously Hitler's Nazis in Germany."



The above is found on the cover-page entitled "The Seeds of War 1914-1938" of the first chapter of this amazing, comprehensive book that details World War II (WWII), "the largest and most destructive war in history." This book was assembled by DK Publishing.



This book consists of two intermingled parts:



(1) IMAGES. It is packed with images, even "rarely seen" color photographs as well as maps and graphics. Thus, they're not kidding when they say in this book's first subtitle that this is "the definitive visual history" of WWII.



(2) TEXT. All these images have to be organized and this book's text does it very effectively without overwhelming the reader with excessive detail. The text throughout this book is concerned with the following:



(i) Events: WWII began in 1939 and ended in 1945. Each chapter (that is, the middle chapters) is concerned with each year of the war. As well, there are two additional chapters. The first chapter (whose title and summary is given above) discusses the build up of hostility in the years (1914 to 1938) leading up to the war. The final chapter explains the aftermath of the war (years 1946 to 1950).



Each chapter is divided into subsections. Each subsection is composed of a double-page layout. For example, the chapter for the year 1939 (chapter 2) has nine subsections with two of these profiling people (see below) and one of these profiling weaponry (see below).



(ii) People: The most influential individuals of WWII are profiled, revealing their personality, etc. Most important, the critical roles they played in the war's outcome are explained. For example, Chapter 2 (the year 1939) profiles Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin in separate subsections.



(iii) Eyewitness Accounts: Dramatic episodes in the war are brought powerfully to life through first-person written accounts. What is sad is that some of these people who wrote these excellent accounts did not make it through the war.



(iv) Quotations: From political leaders, combatants, and civilians. Here's one of my favourites by Winston Churchill (October 1939): "I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma."



(v) Factoids: Interesting facts are peppered throughout the book.



(vi) Weapons and Technology: Weaponry, aircraft, tanks, submarines, etc. are showcased as well as code-breaking communication devices and medicine. For example, chapter 2 has a subsection devoted to rifles.



(vii) Key Moments: Critical moments in the war are highlighted.



Each chapter begins with a double-paged introduction and a double-paged timeline.



The introductions have a colour-coded world map for a month (usually December) in a particular year and superimposed on the map are explanations (with pictures) of key events that occurred in that year. For example, chapter 2 has an introductory map entitled "The World in December 1939." (At the bottom of the introduction is a brief summary of significant war events for that year.)



Finally, there is a timeline of significant events for a particular year. These timelines are divided into months so finding information is extremely easy. For example, for the 1939 timeline, when did Germany invade Poland (thus starting WWII)? Answer at a glance: September 1. When did Germany's Blitzkrieg (mentioned on the book's cover) begin? Answer: May 10, 1940. When was the first atomic bomb (again, mentioned on the book's cover) dropped (thus beginning the "nuclear age")? Answer: August 6, 1945. (Note that pictures are superimposed on these timelines.)



In conclusion, this book effectively organizes a vast amount of material into a slim volume. For those who want to know, understand, and SEE what happened during World War II, this is the book to get!! I leave you with the very last factoid found in this extraordinary book:



"559. The number of cemeteries that have been created by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to commemorate those who lost their lives fighting in World War II."



(first published 2009; forward; 9 chapters; main narrative with images 350 pages; index; acknowledgements)



<<Stephen Pletko. London, Ontario, Canada>>



XXXXX

For the first time in my 38 years, I better understand the time-line of events throughout WWII. The book goes just far enough into the details to give an understanding of the what and why things played out. The calendar timelines for each year helped me to understand when events played out.



I did find it interesting that it seems that most photos in the book are used twice... Once as a small image somewhere in descriptive before/after panel, then later as a bigger image elsewhere in the book. This did not negatively affect the overall impression of the book but was just something that I noticed.



I borrowed this book from my local library, but I'm thinking I may purchase my own copy to keep on my shelf. - Third Reich - Germany - Pictorials - Military History'


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Akiho Yoshizawa - earphones, in-ear


A good portion of my wallet goes to audio products, specifically earphones and ancillary equipment. I previously owned the Klipsch Image S4 series, but found the bass too muddy and looked for IEMs with more sonic accuracy.



So I went up several price brackets and tried these: Shure SE530, Etymotic ER4s, Klipsch Image X10, Klipxh Image X5, Phonack PFEs. Needless to say, I feel in love witht he Image X5s.





The overall sound signature is not cold and lifeless like the Etymotics. Most of you can get a decent fit with the stock tips included with the X5s, the oval shape really fit my ears nicely, and the nice bass will add just the right amount of warmth as intended by your music, drums strikes are individually discernible, the kick drum magnificently reminds you its there. Bass isn't just the obligatory "boom" anymore, now it's what the artist and mastering technician intended. Mids are perfect, you can hear the rasp and breath in a voice. There is no distortion in the highs, little details surround you, sibilance is not a problem. High notes on the Violin are crisp, both the leading and trailing edges of the notes flow smoothly.



Many users say the X10 has more bass, I have found the X10 seems to have more quantity because it seems to go a little bit deeper into your ear due to it's smaller size. However, the X5s have ample bass that gives the music full-bodied life. There is no shortage, and the treble extension and overall accuracy of the X5s is actually better than the X10s. I know $250 seems steep for a Single Balanced-Armature earphone, when others claim to have two or three Armatures to bring more range. Remember a well-made single Balanced Armature is good enough. Compare to the Shure, and every other brand, Klipsch Image IEMs are the most comfortable for universal IEMs. The X5s are very small, they can easily be worn for hours on end.



I got these for $99 new at Ultimate Electronics, but they sold out. These occasionally go on sale in the mid $100 range, keep an eye out. Definitely worth the money.



My full review of the X5 and a couple of other headphones is up on my audio blog @ [...] Klipsch Image X5 Noise-Isolating Earphones

Although I was once a professional bass player in a previous life, I'm going to try to tell you in plain English why these are great earphones. The bass is excellent. It is clear and defined, not muddy or boomy. The quality is such that you can tell if the bass is in tune. Indeed, you can discern the quality of the instrument. The midrange is good. Male voices are clear with no unwanted low overtones. Female voices are crystal clear. The highs have a sparkle without being harsh or raspy. What this means in real life is that you can hear each individual instrument, even when that instrument is in the background. For those of you who saved all those high bitrate mp3's, you can now hear the reason you did that. These earphones compare very favorably with my high end Sennheiser headphones. If you buy the Image X5 earphones, you will not regret it. You know you want them ....

The sound quality is orgasmic, especially when paired with a decent DAP, and the comfort is second to none. I bought and paired the X5s with a Sony Walkman and was giddy with excitement; I could hear details I never had heard before, the bass was thumping, and the isolation was very effective (I nearly got run over by a bus the first day I wore them because I couldn't hear it!) When I read the reviews on CNET, and other places, that expressed concern over the durability of the wires, I dismissed them because they seemed to be engaging in speculation.



However, about 5 months after purchase, problems began to occur. The right ear-bud would hiss, crackle, or go out completely. Granted, I was performing extreme physical activity at the time, things like walking, turning my head, or standing completely still, but those were the scenarios in which I hoped to listen to my music.



Then, 7 months after purchase, the entire right ear-bud goes 95% dead. What little I can hear sounds like a blown out subwoofer. It's cringe inducing noise. I had minor complaints up to this point (the outside of the wires seem to conduct electricity as well as the inside and your ear gets a steady pulse of static electric shocks in dry winter weather, etc), but nothing I wouldn't put up with so long as I was getting the sound quality. After the right ear-bud went comatose, these were obviously not worth it anymore.



I won't go into detail about my exchange / warranty problems as I think mine are fairly unique (I bought them in a foreign country and Klipsch outsources warranty problems to the local distributor) and they in no way impact the durability of the design, which is my main point. Just be sure to save your original receipt if/when your headphones begin to degrade or flat out malfunction.



So in the end, I cannot recommend these to anyone seeking a long-term investment. They were amazing while they lasted, but something about the wires or the connection of the wire to the headphone appears to be lacking. Google search "Klipsch Image strain relief" to get a sense of this.

This was my first "higher end" IEMs, so I am limited in comparing them to others. However, I can with confidence say that this purchase was worth my money. The X5s look great and fit my ears comfortably (and stay in place). As for the sound, I have been running them on higher bitrate MP3s on my laptop, and they sound great. Clear mid/lower ranges with super rich overall impression of sound. The base, as some people have commented, is not overstated, instead a "tight/crisp" thump, which I like.



Packaging is high quality and the carrying case is top notch. I can highly recommend the X5s!

Tried out the S4 headphones first, but they were bulky in my ear and came off when I walked. I did a lot of research on the X5's and the only concern I had was the amount of money. I decided to buy them at B&H and boy do I NOT regret it. These are by far the best headphones, earbuds or over-the-ear, I have ever tried out. They are indeed noise-isolating to the point where you really can zone out and truly enjoy the music. Phenomenal and worth the money. I will point out that B&H had them on sale when I purchased them ($145) and their customer service is great, too. - Earphones - X5 - In-ear - Headphones'


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Russian Hat - russian hat, hats


This hat is AWESOME! It is so nice to be able to find headgear in my size! I have an above average sized head and have found that one size does not fit all. This hat is so warm! The temps this week have been hovering around zero and my head actually started to perspire a bit wearing this hat! It fits perfectly and looks great! Klondike Sterling Leather Bomber Hat Rabbit Fur Trooper Winter Ski (XX-Large/Black & Grey)

I had wanted one of these hats all my life and finally bought it for myself for Christmas. I have heard more people comment on how much they love it, and ladies love to rub the fur lining. Yes it is what I am wearing in the profile photo.

Just an observation.



Sportsmens Guide has this item for half the price ($29.95).



Same rabbit fur and real leather too.



Don't know about the quality, because I overpaid for this item from Amazon before I found it elsewhere. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! - Hats - Russian Hat - Fur Hat - Bomber Hat'


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Mixed Media Jewelry - found objects, metalwork


I just picked this new book Metal Style at my local library and had to give a shout out to the author Karen Dougherty for a job well done. Unlike so many books that look like they will offer up a good range of projects and then fall short on the instructions, this book works you through all different styles of cold connections using interesting projects that you will really want to make. There are 20 projects that feature directions from many of the top metal workers around including Richard Salley and Lisa Niven-Kelly on how to make balled headpins, use resin, etching and many more fun techniques. I am a learn by seeing type of person and the step by step photos along with clear directions will guide you along your way to learning how to use wire rivits, tube rivets, miniature bolts and mesh screen. I am going to have to purchase this book or I will surly be paying library fines. Metal Style: 20 Jewelry Designs with Cold Join Techniques

Fabricating jewelry classically involves soldering at high (red-hot) temperatures. Despite its many advantages, that technique doesn't work in all cases. Some of the studio jeweler's materials, such as aluminum, resist ordinary attempts at solder. Others, including stones and many found objects can't take the heat. Soldered joints are inherently rigid, making articulated pieces difficult. Then, the tools and materials of hard soldering just aren't practical for some home studios. For these reasons and more, today's artisans want additional choices in how to construct jewelry from parts. Cold joining techniques provide a wide range of possibilities.



Dougherty and her contributors focus on two kinds of cold joining: rivets and bolts, with a bit of overlap between the two. Finished pieces in this book's gallery aspect motivate the reader. Then, well-written and well-illustrated directions guide the reader through each step of fabrication. Although I initially found riveting a little intimidating, it's become one of my workhorse techniques. The forged heads of the connectors add to the overall design of a piece, but also let me put together sub-assemblies with finishes too delicate for the torch. Machine screws and bolts add their own look, one that works especially well for steam-punk or industrial styling.



The author skips over a few cold joining techniques that I'm familiar with, however. Swaging never gets mentioned, at least not by name. It's a broad family of techniques that can include crimps and bezel mounting, where one part (usually metal) is crushed to fit around another. And, though nut-and-bolt connections appear in a number of the projects here, I never saw taps or dies mentioned - the tools used to cut female or male threads (respectively) into workpieces. I'm sure other techniques fall into the "cold joining" category but don't appear here, either. Those lacks take nothing away from the material presented here, however. The instruction and the masterworks between these covers offer plenty of inspiration and guidance, and have my highest recommendation.



-- wiredweird

I'm giving this book FIVE stars all the way, because I love it!

My favorite type of art and/or craft book is heavy on information and technique, with plenty of step-by-step photos and accompanying text to illustrate various processes that I'm interested in learning. Inspiration is important as well, but it's third on my list of priorities. I really dislike books that are beautiful and filled with inspiring artwork, but offer little in the way of practical instruction. So that's where I come from as an avid consumer of art-technique books (I spend hundreds of dollars on books every year!). Given that perspective, you will understand why I like this book so much and heartily recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning about cold connections and other basic metalsmithing techniques.

Metal Style offers instruction on a variety of topics such as riveting and tabs, using bolts and screws, etc. plus basics like sawing out sheet metal and other materials, using different tools to texture metal, and design considerations. Best of all, it's a compilation of art from some of today's hottest jewelry makers and teachers, so as a reader I get to see their current work and learn directly from them as they offer step-by-step instruction and advice on jewelry design and construction.

I love the variety of projects in this book, from some fairly simple pieces to get you started to some very complex and challenging designs that inspire the beginning metalsmith to think bigger and bolder. If you're really interested in learning how to make creative and artistic jewelry with cold connections, I strongly recommend this book. It's a keeper!

Sharilyn Miller, author of Arty Jewelry & Arty Jewelry II

Metal Style is one of those books that just continues to inspire and delight. Dougherty has selected gifted artists who share their passion with clarity and precision. This is a must-have book! The variety and beauty of all of these designs will give you the full scope of cold connections. These are do-able projects. The don't overwhelm! They are carefully explained so all skill levels can achieve these fabulous results. Bravo to Karen Dougherty for sharing hot techniques with all of us who want to enter the world of metalsmithing. SUPERB!

I am ready to go out an buy more tools so I can make some of these projects. Good instructions and hints as to what you need to get started. I have been making jewelry for many years and appreciated the hints on how to use things I already own.

I love the designs in this book - very inspiring, including ideas to re-use found objects.



I'm a little disappointed with the directions however. They are a bit confusing, and the photos to directions aren't always clear. I found Kim St. Jean's book "Mixed Metal Mania" to have vastly more useful directions, and equally interesting designs.



Happy metalworking! - Metalwork - Mixed Media Jewelry - Jewelry - Found Objects'


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Dvr Expander - esata, dvr expander


eSATA offers greatly increased speeds over USB or Firewire. When I gleefully purchased my 1TB Fantom G-force Greendrive Esata/usb 2.0 I did what I always do - bought an inexpensive generic cable for it. I've never had a problem with other types of cables when trying to save a few bucks, but I learned the hard way that for eSATA, all cables are NOT created equally. Learn from my mistake and do NOT waste money on cheap eSATA cables; if they work at all (cheap cable #1 was DoA), you will find the cable doesn't maintain a proper connection and drive access will be intermittent (cheap cable #2), which can be disastrous for data integrity.



I suspect a large part of this stems from the overall (IMHO) poor design of eSATA connectors in the first place. eSATA doesn't appear to snap as securely into place as firewire or USB, and whomever came up with the eSATA standard chose not to add screws or other fasteners to compensate for this. The problem is compounded by the stiffness of these cables, and in my case, the fact that I must use an eSATA ExpressCard adapter that causes the cable to extend an extra 3" from my laptop - making it vulnerable to being jarred or bumped. In addition, my setup requires a twist in the relatively inflexible cable to connect to my external hard drive, also adding strain.



Since I purchased the SIIG CB-SA0111-S1 3.3-Feet Serial ATA External Cable, I have had zero problems with connectivity. It works flawlessly despite the (again, IMHO) design flaws inherent in the eSATA standard. I highly recommend this cable to anyone for their eSATA needs. SIIG CB-SA0111-S1 3.3-Feet Serial ATA External Cable

Some other eSATA cables don't work with TiVo Series 3 machines because their connectors are too fat and stubby to fit the TiVo's recessed eSATA socket. This SIIG cable fits the TiVo perfectly - I used it to add a Seagate external drive to my Series 3 with no problems.

I recently purchased 2 1TB WD My DVR Expander external hard drives. My dvrs did not read the WD HDs and I tried over and over with no success. After reading customer reviews for the WDs I discovered that changing the stock cable to this cable had worked for some others that had the same problem. (yes, i too thought this seemed way too easy of a fix) But, YES it worked and both WDs were read the first time !!!



Note: One would think that a company like Western Digital would use a better cable rather than risk having problems ???

I bought this cable because it was recommended on a forum to fix the crappy connection between the Tivo and the expansion drive with the included cable. It cured my connection issues, now the expansion drive "just works".

The SIIG serial cables might be a little more expensive than the generic cables but well worth it.

These are also not as flexabile as the cheaper cables, which I now learned the hard way that they should be.



The SIIG's have moved at least 20 terabytes these last few months and have yet to find errors after verification.



I now also use then to verify if the external HDD has any errors and utility work.



Do your self a favor and bypass lower quality cables.

I saved a few bucks and lost gigs of data due to coruption and problematic connection issues with lower quality generic cables.



Trouble shooting is imposible with bad cabels.



Works fine with a 1 TB Western Digital and Segates, as long as the external and SATA HDW has decent BIOS.

I ordered this cable because the DVR expander drive reviews say that it doesn't work with the cable that comes with it.

This cable actually arrived before the drive did which was great.



Sure enough the drive did not work using the cable that comes with the drive. When I connected the cable that I bought, the Drive was immediately recognized. Everything works as it should and I couldn't be happier.

I used this cable to attach the 1TB eSATA WDG1S10000VN hard drive to my TivoHD and it has been working perfectly for over 2 weeks now. I am glad I followed the advice of other reviewers in using this cable instead of the one that comes with the drive. - Hard Drive - Dvr Expander - External Hard Drive - Esata'


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Screwdriver - nut drivers, multi-tool


If you imagine carrying a light tool bag because this is a multi-diameter tool, think twice. This tool is not for very tight nuts (it cannot hold them if the nuts are very tight), in general is way better than your own fingers but again, if the nut is solid tight it will not move it. Solution, get fixed measure drivers for whatever you face most times and keep this one as spare for the rest; remember, it works either in standard or metric. I inspected the tool, the technical concept is good but the holding teeth are not flat but rounded and that's what makes this tool fail. Klein Tool 632 Drive-A-Matic Cushion-Grip Nut Driver

I've owned this for 3 years and only used it once to try it out.



The sizes are very limited, and as other have said, it doesn't grip very well. You need to keep constant pressure to ensure it grips without rounding off your screws or nuts. Fixed measurement nut drivers are much better and faster. I've thrown this into my "extra" tool bag with all my other unused tools. Great an theory, poor in execution. - Multi-tool - Multi-driver - Nut Drivers - Screwdriver'


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Pc Vga To Tv Converter


This is a terrific laptop-to-tv adapter. The composite video output enabled me to connect to older and newer TV's while staying at several different hotels on a recent trip. I heartily recommend this adapter for travellers who want to connect laptops to a variety of TV's. Sewell PC to TV (VGA to RCA) Converter w/ All-in-One Cable

Easily view streaming movies from my laptop (the reason I got it). Small font's can be a little difficult to read. Perfect compromise between picture quality and price. I love the cable setup; easy to manage. I'd buy it again!

This product works really well. Does it exactly what you expect it to, going from your VGA and headphones ports right into your TV. And what's more, all the cables are attached in a clean bundle. Most of the other products out there don't do sound. The Sewell does. I haven't had to mess with the controls on the box itself because it looked so good the first time. All I needed was to reboot my computer and change the resolution. I highly recommend!

I own a 32" Sony WEGA and I am delaying the need to switch to an LCD screen as long as possible. I was looking for a solution that will

1. Not require a monthly fee for a DVR (think Tivo, $12-$15 a month)

2. Not limit the websites I can watch shows from(think Roku or Apple TV) Roku only allows you to watch from a few websites like Hulu Plus, Amazon VOD etc. Apple TV likewise has limited sites you can view shows from.



Sewell PC to TV VGA was the best solution I had found.



Here is why:

I follow several TV shows like Private Practice, Greys Anatomy, The Mentalist, HGTV's Property Virgins etc. I was choosing between buying Tivo, Roku, or Apple TV to be able to watch these shows on my TV. Tivo was the best solution but it charged a monthly fee (12-15) and required a down payment. The other possible choices were Roku and Apple TV. For Roku, you have to watch the TV episodes on certain websites like Hulu Plus, Youtube, Amazon Video On Demand etc. The problem with some of these sites is they are not always updated with the latest episodes of the shows I watch. If you want the latest episodes, you have to pay a monthly fee of 7.99 a month on Hulu Plus! Some shows in Hulu are not very up to date as well. For example, on Saturday, I tried to watch the latest episode of Private Practice (which was aired three days before), but Hulu says the episode is coming soon. I have not tried Apple TV, but I have heard about shows limited to the ones available in the Itunes Store. Do correct me if I am wrong.



With Sewell PC to TV VGA, I can simply go onto the various TV network websites, and watch the latest episodes from there for free. If I want to go to Amazon or Netflix, I can still do so. I have the option of going to any website I want.

Note, however, the picture quality not the same level as cable TV (brightly lit scenes can appear very saturated in the background). The color and lighting settings are adjustable, and you have to tinker around to make sure the settings are optimized for viewing on your TV (took me 5-10 minutes to adjust the settings). Overall, unlimited website options, a decent viewing quality and the lack of a monthly subscription fee made this product the best choice for me.

I purchased the PC to TV converter expecting to stream movies from the Web. It does that quite well!



Did have an issue initially as the VGA pass through left the monitor some what dark. I contact Sewell support and they offered to replace the unit no problem. I decided I would rather use my work around instead. I had a VGA splitter cable and just paralleled the display - problem solved.



Since, then I picked up a dual display video card and use one port for the PC to TV Converter and the other to drive my monitor directly. Works like a champ!



I use the VGA to composite video output with my 52in rear projection TV 15ft away still works great. And while it's not HD I can still read the text displayed on the screen. Adjusting the Color/Brightness/Contrast/Saturation is not easy. Controls are fine it may well be the operator! and I have found that some movies lack contrast and brightness. I don't think it's due to the converter. More likely the pirated movies found on the net!



For the price, coupling your PC to your TV gives some great entertainment!! With a DSL connection with at least 1.5 meg sustained download speed you get streaming video on demand!

When I went into Best Buy, I was told a box like this didn't exist. I was skeptical when I saw it was only $30, but I went for it and let me tell you it was worth it. The focus controls are completely useless because the first time I plugged it in, it looked great on the screen. While competitors claim to do the same thing, most don't have sound and don't have the S-Video option which I find very convenient.



Pros:

- Decent sound quality for the price

- Works on pretty much all TVs

- Cables are bundled in a very portable way



Cons:

- Text is very hard to read, but that's what the focus button is for. However, I wouldn't try to read email with it.



Overall a great product that I would buy again and again.

This adapter does exactly what it states. You connect it to your PC (desktop or Laptop's) VGA port, connect the USB cable for power and the audio cable to your headphones port all on your computer. Next connect the RCA cables (Not supplied) from the adapter to your TV. I purchased 25FT RCA cables so my laptop doesn't need to sit right next to the TV for convenience. Works great, very nice picture quality. You can stream Netflicks, Hulu, etc. from your PC to your TV or put up anything thats on your PC screen to the TV for presentations etc.

Sewell PC to TV (VGA to RCA) Converter w/ All in one cable



The product from Sewell, their PC to TV converter works as advertised. The all in cable is also very handy by reducing the need for multiple separate cables. This cable also eliminates the need for external power from an AC adapter. Other converters I have looked at did not have this option. The on screen menu provides enough tweaking, if needed, to get the best image.



I have used this product a handful of times and have had no issues. I would recommend this device as a great way to get a computer hooked up to a TV, if HDMI is not option.'


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Cpo Bostitch


Used this tool last weekend. It did what it was intended to do, and was comfortable doing so. Only issue with it was I couldn't easy find staples for it. The Stanley and Arrow staples I orginially purchased (narrow crown) both didn't work. I finally found some Bostitch staples at HD. Bostitch PC2K Power Slam Hammer Tacker 1/4-Inch to 3/8-Inch Manual Construction Stapler'


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