Andy Hilal

Andy's answer: Buy a Brother MFCJ825DW.

Brother home printers are reliable, simple to use, and inexpensive. For years they've been winning lots of fans. I have owned and serviced numerous HPs and Canons and Epsons and Lexmarks and I hated every one of them. I have owned 1 Brother printer and I love it.

This unit does everything you need.

Connects wirelessly (or via ethernet) to your Mac.

Scans up to 2400x2400 dpi on the glass or via a 20-page document feeder (I have no doubt the settings are adjustable).

Prints on both sides of the paper. Has a 4x6 tray for photo paper.

You may not need the touchscreen or fax but you're going to get those too.

Is rated 4-stars with over 300 Amazon reviews. About $135.

Enjoy!

Andy's answer: Hi Sarah,

The answer to offline access with Chrome OS is a complicated answer, which in itself spells bad news. The level of capability you get when disconnected from the internet varies by application, and is usually not 100% in any application.

In order to function offline, the Chromebook would need to sync all the data you want to work with to its internal storage. Gmail apparently does a fairly good job of this, giving you access to recent emails. You can read them, reply to them, and compose new messages when offline. The next time you connect, your changes will be synced and acted upon.

Of course, Chromebooks have limited internal storage, along the lines of 16GB, so they're unable to sync ALL your multiple years of Gmail messages, ALL your docs, and ALL your photos to the internal storage. This means that there will inevitably be limits to what you can do offline.

However, Google has been steadily improving the offline capabilities, app by app. Google Docs now allows you to continue working with docs while offline, and Calendar has some offline capability as well. I'm also a writer and what I want most is to be able to open a doc and work on it at my leisure. You will be able to do that on a Chromebook. You will also be able to open a new doc and write to your heart's content.

Just keep in mind that there is an eventual limit. Gmail allows me 10GB of storage, and GDrive gives me 5GB of document storage. That will max out the Chromebook right there, and it's unlikely that they even try to sync all of it all the time. So while you can DO THINGS offline, you may not have access to ALL YOUR STUFF offline all the time. The point at which this prevents you from working will vary from app to app. As a comparison, think about what happens to a smartphone when your train goes into a tunnel. Yes, you can read the email that you've already downloaded, and if you have a doc open in an app, you can continue editing it. But you can't get new messages, or search all your messages, etc.

To answer your other question, yes you can get digital cellular service with a Chromebook. It typically increases the cost of the Chromebook and the data service will cost you. There are some nice promotions available, though. Some Samsung Chromebooks come with 2 years of free wireless from Verizon. But read the fine print carefully before you get into a contract.

In terms of alternatives, yes, I think you have a few. So far Chromebooks are getting relatively mediocre reviews. The biggest constraint is that you can only use the built in Google software. It's not like a PC or even an Android device where you can load lots of 3rd party apps.

If I were in your shoes, I would absolutely consider a tablet + keyboard combo. I have taken an iPad + keyboard dock out to the cafe to write and it's a fantastic experience. Battery life is great. The keyboard is a real keyboard. The iPad is fast and can do a ton of stuff.

An iPad is going to cost more than a Chromebook right now, but you will get more for your money IMO. You would also have the benefit of using a keyboard when you want or just using it as a tablet.

I also own a Google Nexus 7 Android tablet and it is fantastic. Can easily be used with an external keyboard as a writing machine. Costs only $199.

Andy's answer: Hi June! Unfortunately, this is not a universally reprogrammable remote. It's the remote that comes with two specific Toshiba televisions, and cannot be used with anything else. If you have a Toshiba SDV290 or SDV390, you're in business. Otherwise, you will want to look for another universal remote.

Sony makes one which is very inexpensive and can be programmed to control up to 7 devices, including non-Sony devices. Worth checking out. Costs only about $20.

Andy's answer: Portal 2 is a great game to play together that doesn't involve violence. It's all about solving puzzles together. The game actually requires cooperation in order to succeed, so it teaches kids real skills about how to work together. It also teaches them to express themselves, because you're constantly saying things like "Stand a little to your left and look up at the catwalk above my head, then slowly step forward and see if you can get a vantage point on the landing ramp..."

It's really a great game. Not the kind of game where you zone out and destroy things. Lots of thinking is involved, lots of teamwork, lots of spatial relations skills, and lots of verbal communication.

Andy's answer: Here's a highly-rated but economical stereo that has a front aux jack. Should be a solid option. http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-DEH-1300MP-Receiver-Playback-Control/dp/B003ZDO2LM/ref=sr_1_10?s=car&ie=UTF8&qid=1358293791&sr=1-10

Other stereos sometimes have the aux jack in the back, so you need to run the cable out through your dashboard somewhere... wherever works in your car - like drill a hole in the rear of the glove box or a storage cubby and pull the cable out. I guess that can be a little more attractive than plugging a headphone jack into the front of your car stereo, but it'll require more setup.

Good luck! Tunes on the road are essential...

Andy's answer: Our Electrolux Ergorapido has been soooo great. I wasn't sure if a "stick vacuum" would work well but it has become the only vacuum we use now. We have hardwood floors and a few area rugs. The Ergorapido cleans both pretty easily. It's not the most powerful suction or the most powerful brush but it does the job. It's totally cordless and light enough to operate with one hand so we use it every day. You can take the central motor part of the Ergorapido off and use it as a hand vac / dustbuster, too, which is just fantastic. For light duty, I highly recommend this thing. Oh, and it doesn't require you to buy replacement bags. Totally reusable filters only, and it's very easy to empty into the trash. Love it! Get the "ion" model. It costs a little more but it has a more powerful lithium ion battery.

Andy's answer: Yes, this can definitely be done. In my car, I was able to install an iPod cable into the back of the car stereo using an adapter. I just set my car stereo to "aux" and it plays whatever I select from the iPod/iPhone. Really all you need is any car stereo that has an "aux input" (for auxiliary) and a headphone cable. The more complex hookups where you try to control the iPod from the car stereo are pretty crappy (as you say).

It's hard to say more without knowing what car you have. Any more info?

Andy's answer: The Nexus 7 from Google is a great choice. First, it's inexpensive ($199). It works great with the Kindle app for reading ebooks. Its front-facing camera shoots at 1.2 megapixels which is modest compared to most digital cameras but certainly fine for video.

The Nexus 7 is a great tablet because it runs a full version of Android without any goofy software piled on top by the manufacturer. At $199 you really can't beat it these days.

Andy's answer: Oster's website shows replacement parts for Blenders, but that's it. It doesn't look like they really offer replacement crumb trays for any of their toasters or toaster ovens.

http://www.oster.com/Category.aspx?pgid=1032

I tried contacting them via the Customer Service form, too, and they did not reply to me :(

Your best bet is probably to look up an Oster service center somewhere near you and ask if they can replace the part. Here's the page where you can find one:

http://www.oster.com/ServiceCenters.aspx

Model 6329 is no longer sold new, but you can pick up a used one on eBay for 10 bucks. That might be the best way to get your crumb tray. See:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Oster-Inspire-Toaster-Stainless-Steel-Warms-Does-Bagels-Frozen-Model-6329-/150858381819?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item231fdc39fb#ht_2376wt_722

Andy's answer: We have the IKEA Gulliver changing table in white and it is bomb-proof-solid. For a newborn it might seem even bigger than you need but this gives you some room to grow. And its size allows for two capacious shelves underneath for storage. We keep almost all her clothes there.

I'd say it was a very good purchase. The Gulliver is IKEA's most expensive model and it's only $69. It kind of blows my mind that Crate & Barrel sell changing tables for $350 or more.

Andy's answer: Like Jeff, I've tried both the Ergo and the Moby. I found the Moby was amazingly great when she was under 3 months. It's just a fabric wrap so it's very comfortable. It's also very snuggly and keeps the baby close. When she was a newborn and would sleep for a long time with us, the Moby was fantastic.

However as time has gone on we've migrated more to the Ergo. The Moby is slightly tricky to get on, as Jeff says. You need to practice before you know how to tie it right, how much slack to leave yourself, and how to thread the baby's limbs through the various layers of the fabric wrap. Once or twice I have put her legs through the wrong way and she's wound up at a 45-degree tilt ;P

The Ergo resembles a front-wearing backpack. It has a more fixed structure with straps you can just slip on. Once you know where to put your arms, there's not much you can get wrong. The Ergo is also roomier. Our 5-month-old wants to have a little breathing space to sit in and the Moby really smashes her against your chest, which can be hot and constrictive. The Ergo keeps her a little more comfortable - she feels like she's sitting in my arms, not like she's pressed into my chest.

The Ergo really only allows you to hold the baby in one position, though (facing you), which is the only drawback. Because the Moby is one big strip of fabric you can tie it in different ways. My girl loves to face outward and "help" me do things. And there are some tie methods for placing the baby on one hip or even in a slinglike position to breastfeed. Switching up positions is especially helpful if your back muscles are getting tired out in one configuration.

The Moby has two other side benefits. Because it's just a big strip of fabric, it packs up very small. You can easily roll it up and slip it in the diaper bag, whereas the Ergo it more like a full size backpack and harder to smash down to a small size. Another Moby benefit is that it's comfortable enough to wear while driving (without the baby in it, of course) or even wear to bed. These aren't things you'll do often, but sometimes it's nice to put on the Moby, drive to where you're going, then put the baby right in it without having to stop and put it all on. Anyway, the Moby is flexible and comfortable.

So bottom line, we use both the Ergo and the Moby. Moreso the Ergo as time goes on. I have not tried the Bjorn but between the Moby and Ergo we don't feel any need for another carrier.

Best of luck with babywearing! It can be a lifesaver to free up your hands, and when the baby falls asleep wrapped to you it's just magical.

Andy's answer: Hi Carly,

We recently tried G diapers and they are interesting. They combine a biodegradable insert with a thin plastic liner and velco shorts. The insert is 100% biodegradable material, unlike most of the "green" diapers out there. 7th generation and Earth's Best just use less chlorine, but they still contain plastics which are petroleum-based and will endure for hundreds of years in a landfill.

G diapers have some of the same pitfalls as cotton: there are several layers involved and they can be more bulky to wear. So far we have found that the plastic pants work well and contain spills, but usually the plastic liner gets dirty whenever there's a poop. If it's just wet, then you can simply swap out the liner. But poop usually sends the liner and possibly the pants, too, into the laundry.

They are not that cheap either. And in the middle of the night when you are hardly conscious, they are more effort to deal with. However they do minimize the amount of plastic that you are putting into landfill, which is a good thing. You can even compost the inserts if you are brave and have proper space and facilities. They break down in as little as 50 days according to the manufacturer.

I hope this is helpful to you! Good luck

Andy's answer: You can plug any Xbox controller into your PC pretty easily if it has a USB cable on the end. Windows 7 computers will recognize Xbox controllers right away and help you install the drivers.

If you want to use the main wireless controller without cables, that's another story. You would need to purchase this wireless receiver unit for your PC (the Xbox has receiver hardware inside). It's only about $20.

If you don't mind wires you can get a cheap wired controller for almost nothing at GameStop. I have a MadCatz controller I bought used there for about $5 to play SkyRim on my PC.

Andy's answer: So far we've been using the co-sleeper pretty much *as* a crib. It has a feature where one side can be lowered so it can function as an extension of your own bed. But we haven't really ever used that. She just sleeps in it the way a child would in crib. She's going to outgrow it before long, though.

One of the good things about our co-sleeper is that it folds down for storage or transportation. I hope we can find that feature in a larger crib too. We're planning to have more than one child (fingers crossed) and it helps a lot if things can be stored.

Thanks for the advice everyone! It's amazing how much variance there is in everyone's experiences. Every child really is different!

Andy's answer: We've been using 7th Generation and they are pretty good. They work just like Pampers and all the other brands. The outer material is a little rougher, more paper-like. Before I put it on the baby I rub it a little between my hands to soften it. Works great. No problems with absorption or spills or anything.

We have also tried cotton diapers. Personally I don't like them at all. They are a lot more work to put on, and require little plastic pants to be put on as well to contain spills. Once you have all that on the baby, it's quite bulky. I find it a lot harder to get her clothes on after.

Plus, you need to change them more often. Disposable diapers usually wick the moisture away from the baby's skin a little bit, but cotton diapers don't. They just stick to the baby's skin which is uncomfortable. If I had my choice I would just use sustainable disposables.

Andy's answer: We just got a Roku and so far I'm a little disappointed.

First of all Roku does not offer YouTube! This was really surprising to me. I just assumed it would, since YouTube is so ubiquitous. But I guess there was some kind of licensing kerfuffle between Google and Roku that caused support to be dropped. Anyway there is no YouTube channel available on Roku boxes anymore (there used to be - people who installed it can still use it, you just can't install it anymore).

AppleTV *DOES* currently offer YouTube integration. This is huge for me since I actually do subscribe to several YouTube channels.

Second, a lot of the Roku content doesn't play well over our internet connection. Sure, they make it pretty easy to locate streaming content from multiple sources like PBS, but some of that content doesn't stream well. We tried to watch a PBS Nature documentary about hummingbirds last night and it just kept halting and buffering for 1-2 minutes at a time. Unwatchable. I don't know what the issue is. We have a 6mbps connection.

Third, I'm kind of stumped by Roku's "channel" system. There are tons and tons of Roku "channels" available, but you can't easily browse and discover them on the Roku device. Sometimes, as with PBS, I had to Google for it online and then enter a numeric channel code to add the channel to the Roku. Seems like an odd interface.

The channels you can browse on the Roku don't seem that well organized. There's no search feature - just endless scrolling. If you don't see what you want right away, your options kind of stink.

Andy's answer: The Moby Wrap is another one to consider. It's very versatile and comfortable.

Andy's answer: The environmental issues with diapers boil down to the following:

1) biodegradable materials - will the diapers break down in a landfill in a friendly way or are they a source of more plastic? The less plastic you throw away, the better. And traditional diapers make a LOT of plastic trash.

2) chemicals used in manufacture - Luvs and Pampers look pristine and white because their fibers are bleached, and the runoff from that bleaching process drains off into rivers, streams, and the oceans.

3) cost - how much are you willing to pay for a biodegradable, non-toxic diaper which may not work quite as well and will not confer any immediate benefit to you or the child? Most people are not willing to pay much for ideological benefits, especially while others around them don't care :(

Andy's answer: ...and I just found out we can install a Yoda voice on our Garmin. TURN LEFT HERE, YOU MUST!

Andy's answer: As Ellen says, it's an operating system for your phone, just like "Windows" is an operating system for your computer. iPhones and iPads run an operating system called "iOS" and Android is a competitor to it. It was written by Google and made available free of charge to the big phone manufacturers.

Google's main business is advertising. They have done a number of things to try to keep the World Wide Web healthy, like creating the fast, free Chrome web browser, and investing in wireless internet access infrastructure. Making Android available for free was another long-term investment for them. They don't make any money off it, but they know that if mobile smartphones take off in a big way, they will profit from the advertising systems in the mobile web as well. That's why they make Android free.

Android phones actually outnumber iPhones now. The Android OS is considered better in many ways, though it has fewer "apps" available and is not quite as polished and easy to use.

Andy's answer: So... yes, you can check books out for free and read them on your Kindle, but there are some limitations and complications to the way this works.

Amazon has partnered with a company called Overdrive, whose mission is to help libraries make their digital titles available electronically. You might be scratching your head at what "digital titles" means, but libraries have been lending CDs, DVDs, and books-on-tape for a long time. These are digital publications, even though they're on physical media. What Overdrive does is help libraries lend these out completely over the Internet, so you never have to physically take away a plastic disc in order to borrow a movie, album, or book.

Sounds good, right? Here's how it works.

First you go to Overdrive's website http://www.overdrive.com/ and search for your library by zip code. You *will* need to enter a library card number before you're done, so yes, you actually do need to enter your local library and you have to be a registered member. This is not a free book lending service that's open to the whole world. It operates entirely within the confines of your local libraries membership system.

Once you find your local branch on Overdrive's site, you'll see listings of the books they have available. This is NOT going to be all the books in the library. Just the ones that the library has in a digital form. For me, this was about 1,000 fiction titles, mostly classics.

Here's the big catch: just like a physical book, the library only has 1 copy available to lend at any time. If someone else has checked it out, you have to wait. This seems idiotic, because it's all electronic. There's no reason 2 people can't both make copies of a digital book at the same time.

But if you think about it, the real issue is licensing. When a library buys a physical copy of a book, they are paying for a one copy of the book which can be lent out. Well, in the digital world, the same holds true. If your library wants to be able to lend an ebook out to 20 people at once, they need to pay for 20 digital copies. So, in a mind-blowing feat of amazing irony, we've managed to take all the wonderful digital technology of ebooks, and clamp on the archaic limitations of physical books. It's ultimately about money, of course.

Once you've registered on Overdrive and given them your library card number, you can check out a book. Assuming it's available for Kindle and your card # checks out, you'll be sent over to Amazon to complete the download to your Kindle.

Library checkouts are a special kind of Kindle download. Each checkout has a time limit! When the time is up, the book just disappears from your Kindle. It's like a library book that automatically returns itself on the due date. You'll never be late, which is good, but again it seems like old fashioned standards being foisted onto new tech.

Overdrive does allow you to place a "hold" on titles that are checked out so you can be notified when they're available. They also offer compatibility with a wide range of computers and mobile devices. You can actually get lost on their website pretty easily, because they support music, movies, and books on computers, Kindles, iPods, and all kinds of other mobile media consumption devices from other brands.

IMHO Overdrive's website is messy and it's hard to figure out how to use their service. They are clearly trying very hard to be compatible with all the devices in the world and to support all media types. But this leaves them with a very complicated offering which is not easy to figure out. I watched several of their instructional videos and they left me with a lot of questions.

Andy's answer: It's September and still no iPhone 5! I bet you are glad you didn't wait :)

Andy's answer: I think I had training wheels until I was 6. But just the other day I was driving down the street and I saw two kids rolling along - couldn't have been older than 3 - on really teensy bikes without training wheels.

Andy's answer: Also had to drop in and recommend Thinkpads, while we're at it. Here's the one I own.

Andy's answer: Yeah God of War 3 is made by Sony themselves, and they want you to buy the latest hardware. It's not supported on PS2 and I bet they went out of their way to ensure it couldn't even be modded or hacked.

This is one of the ways that they drive adoption of the newest platform. Sorry :(

Andy's answer: The official height in the catalog is 33 and 1/8 inches and the top of the front panel measures at just about 33 for me (it's on carpet so hard to get a more precise measurement).

Placing a small footstool next to the crib (or even just a large book for a couple inches of height) can help a lot too.

Good luck Melanie! Let us know what you decide!

Andy's answer: Fujitsu has made a good name for themselves with document scanners in recent years. The ScanSnap S1300 and S1500 are both good consumer document scanners (as opposed to business models that range from $500-$3000).

Both have complete support via the SANE project:

http://www.sane-project.org/sane-mfgs.html#SCANNERS

The S1500 looks pretty nice, actually. It's rated for stacks of 50 sheets at a time, 20 pages scanned per minute, and it scans both sides. It retails for around $400 though.

The S1300 is more compact but accepts only 10 sheets and scans more slowly at 8ppm. It happens to be Mac compatible as well if you ever need that. And it retails for more like $250.

Apparently, it will cost you a lot of paper to go paperless!

Andy's answer: I'm going to say yes, they still have a place. We just bought a Garmin NUVI and here's why I like it.

1) Bigger screen than my iPhone and well optimized for viewing in the sun
2) Loud enough speaker to actually hear while driving
3) Comes with its own dashboard clamp and car charger
4) It's a dedicated device. I don't have to give Julia my iPhone if she wants to make a trip and use GPS. Similarly, we can use my iPhone and the GPS at the same time.

This device cost us $150, which sounds like a lot compared to a $40 app. But if you factor in a windshield clamp and car charger, the costs get closer. And I like the few added benefits above.

I also find that the Garmin acquires satellites more reliably than my iPhone. I have only used Skobbler turn-by-turn directions on my iPhone but I found the iPhone slow to acquire satellites and poor at knowing which direction I am facing. The Garmin is a little snappier in that regard.

If economy is your priority, I think you can do well with a smartphone app. And it would be nice in some ways to have GPS turn-by-turn in my phone everywhere I go. So I think there's room for debate on this one. But we've been house hunting in unfamiliar cities recently and the Garmin has been fantastic.

Andy's answer: Based on this week's news, if it was an HP TouchPad I should have nabbed it!

Andy's answer: And here's a Brother portable scanner that's highly rated as well. I actually do not see any scanner/printer combos in the suitcase size range, so you might need two devices. And boy... be prepared to pay extra for portability.

Andy's answer: These portable Webers are small enough to move easily but big enough to cook a lot of food. You can cook a dozen hamburgers on it at the same time. It's gas so it will be ready quickly, and it will produce less smoke. It won't give your food the same smoky flavor, though. Some would say that an in-oven grill is just as good and more convenient: http://www.amazon.com/Nordic-Ware-Toaster-3-Piece-Baking/dp/B00007AOB6

Andy's answer: What kind of space do you have to grill in, what do you like to cook and how?

Andy's answer: Some Ati cards are supported (I should say AMD actually - they purchased Ati and rebranded it).

But it seems that the nVIDIA cards dominate the performance and price/performance charts for Folding, possibly because the CUDA APIs are reputed to be quite nice to work with.

The GeForce GTX 460 chipset will give you a really good combination of Folding performance, energy efficiency, and low cost. I don't think you can go wrong with one (or more) of these in your Folding box.

Andy's answer: We use this Cuisinart K-Cup machine at our office and it serves us all well. The coffee is not the absolute highest quality but it is hot and fresh in every single cup. People have their pick of flavors and there is very little mess. The only downside is the plastic waste if you use the disposables (and the cost of them).

Andy's answer: I like the look of the K43E for general use (meaning: not gaming, not ultralight). Opt for the Core i5 if you are looking for high performance. It also has the correct keyboard mapping (ie: arrow-T is to the right, not immediately under the Enter key - that drives me crazy). 14" screen is big enough for general use but keeps the laptop to a portable size.

I don't blame you for asking this, though. The Asus product lines are really hard to figure out. They make a ton of models but they don't lay them out very well on their site so you can tell the difference.

Andy's answer: I love to recommend the Canon S90 to people. It's small, easy, and takes really wonderful photographs. It excels in low-light situations. The zoom is considerable but not the absolute top you can get. And the price tag is a little higher than average. But this camera really delivers the results and is a pleasure to use.

Andy's answer: Fixies have no gears, usually no brakes, and they have no freewheel for coasting. This can be a demanding riding style, especially if you live somewhere that has hills and inclines. So be sure you've ridden one and are truly in love with this riding style before you invest. It's not for everyone.

If you're switching to a bike lifestyle from a car lifestyle you might do better with a freewheel "comfort" or "fitness" bike. True mountain bikes are often more rugged and heavy than you need for commuting on streets or getting groceries.

Whatever you do, avoid buying a cheap bike at Target. They look fine when they're brand new. But over time you will find the bike's parts flimsy and brittle and hard to service or even replace. Spending another $100 up front can really be worth it in the long run.

Schwinns are a relatively inexpensive brand. Specialized will also have some good options for the city rider. BTW, good for you! Thanks for taking one more car off the road.

Andy's answer: A Skylight filter is a simple and cheap one to screw on. It will reduce haze and lower the natural cyan bias in photographing outdoor scenery. It screens out some UV. Mostly it does not create any dramatically noticeable visual effects or changes and will provide a simple physical protection from scratches and the intrusion of dust.

Andy's answer: Comfort Keyboards are expensive but completely adjustable. The keyboard is split into three parts. Left and right pieces of the main keyboard plus a 3rd piece for the numeric keypad. You can slide these 3 pieces left and right inside a long metal track to position them where you want them (you can even place the keypad in the center, like I did). And each piece is completely adjustable in terms of pitch and angle. They spin and tilt freely in a universal joint. Place them in the position you want and then lock them down. They allow true freedom in terms of adjustment.

This not only allows you to get the position you need, it allows you to change positions periodically. The most important thing I've ever learned about ergonomics is to switch things up and not exert stress in the same exact position, hour after hour, day after day, week after week.

No other keyboard I know of gives you so much adjustability as these. However, you mentioned it was for a laptop. Comfort Keyboards are bulky and not very portable. So it depends what you need.

Andy's answer: System Preferences ---> Mouse ---> Then uncheck this box:

"Move content in the direction of finger movement when scrolling or navigating"

It's interesting to me to have this option now. Almost all games give you the option of reversing the Y axis. I guess a lot of people find it intuitive that when they move the joystick down the camera will pan up in the game. We'll see what people think for computer scrolling.

Andy's answer: Heya Ellen,

The Z-2300 set from Logitech is pretty played-down in its appearance. No funky dome subwoofer or bulbous satellites. Actually the stereo satellites are very modest in size and could easily blend into any bookshelf. The subwoofer on the other hand is a pretty large cube, but you did say you wanted good bass :)

Andy's answer: Memory foam can be firm or soft itself, so there is a range. What's good about it is that it can conform to your body's shape and deliver an even pressure across your body. Some people say it gives them a "cradled" feeling as well, since you do sink into it (depending on how deep). Others don't like the sinking in - it can restrict your movement if you sink into the mattress in one position and then try to roll over.

You can always try a less expensive memory foam topper and think about a whole memory foam mattress if that works out well.

Andy's answer: BlendTec blenders are pretty freaking tough. Have you seen the "will it blend?" videos?

Andy's answer: It's ok. The stat that I worry about most is the 1.8 maximum aperture. This is known as the "speed" of the lens and is a measure of how much light it will allow in when its aperture is completely open. This is very important indicator of how well it will perform in low light. A large aperture will also give you more dramatic "depth of field" effects where only one part of the photo is in sharp focus.

1.8 is better than you will get with most point-and-shoots, but for an SLR camera 1.8 is just average. 1.4 would be better, and 1.2 is pretty much the best you'll find. Do a little shopping and you'll find that 1.4 and 1.2 will cost you hundreds more. These prices seem crazy if you are not aware of what lens speed is, but in practice a faster lens is really worth it. I paid something like $280 for a 1.4 lens and it has served me very well for years.

Keep in mind that the lens you attached to your question is for traditional SLRs and if you use it with a digital SLR you need to multiply its zoom factor by 1.5x. This will make it a 75mm lens, which is a moderate zoom. If this is your only lens, you may find yourself backing up to get everything in the shot quite frequently.

Happy shooting!

Andy's answer: I agree with Dan it's kind of a bind. The iPad is definitely the best tablet out there but Apple really skimped on the camera inside.

Here's a device that might be of interest to you though. When I got my parents the first generation iPad (which has no camera) I also got them one of these. It's a small adapter that allows you to take the memory card out of your digital camera and plug it into your iPad. Photos import to the iPad quickly and easily. My parents use a point-and-shoot digicam quite a bit and this allows them to easily sync all the photos onto the iPad.

It might be something for you to consider if you already have a digital camera. The camera hardware in the iPad may be ok for "Facetime" conferencing but you won't be taking any high-quality photos with it. That might not matter much if you already have a digital camera though. A tablet is somewhat large and awkward for photography in some ways anyhow.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC531ZM/A?fnode=MTc0MjU4NjE&mco=MjEwMDgzMDY

Andy's answer: I think the DSLR is a good suggestion for another reason. You need fine control over the plane of focus for stop-motion work. I don't think many mid or low range camcorders give you that kind of control, but almost any SLR will. With the right lens for the situation, you'll get the ability to focus on a particular plane with greater precision and control depth of field too. You might even want the ability to change lenses sometimes depending on how your shots are set up.

Andy's answer: It has been a little over a year since the iPhone 4 came out. I think if you have the luxury of waiting a few months you should. It's not totally clear what features the iPhone 5 will offer but I'm hoping for a larger screen area and an FM radio. Can you believe the damn iPhone has the necessary hardware to receive FM radio but they just haven't given us the software yet?

Speaking of software, iOS version 5 is going to work on the 3GS, iPhone 4, plus whatever the iPhone 5 is. So if you have a pressing need for a new iPhone, don't wait. The OS upgrades will bring you most of the new goodies.

It's always the same with Apple products. You can wait for the next thing. But if you need it now, just get it now. The new new thing never stays new for long :)

Andy's answer: Many home devices including cordless phones, baby monitors and wifi routers all use the 2.4GHz frequency to communicate. It has become quite crowded with many things using it at once and microwave ovens also emit intense radio waves at this frequency to heat your food.

To minimize this effect, don't place the microwave in between the wifi router and your computer. One trick is to place your wifi router high up on the wall so that even if the microwave IS between it and your computer, it has a high line of sight and can "look down" over the micro to get to your computer.

Andy's answer: AIWA is actually owned by Sony and they use it as a kind of budget brand. It allows them to put out cheaper products for the low end of the market without tarnishing the Sony brand itself. AIWA was a separate company for a long time until Sony acquired them in 2003. Coby is an American company and there is no indication of any relationship between them and Sony (as Dan points out).

Andy's answer: First off, you want an electric space heater. There are propane and kerosene powered models out there but these are less safe and economic overall than electric models.

A thermostat is a good feature to look for since it will allow you to control the energy usage and comfort level without having to turn it on and off by hand. Secondly, look for a tip-over safety feature that will turn the heater off if it is accidentally toppled onto its side. If a pet or child knocks over a space heater it could ignite your carpet or furniture in just minutes. Also be sure to look for the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) seal on any model you buy.

The Honeywell HZ-817 is a highly-rated baseboard model that has both of these features. It is long and short for placing out of the way near a wall (just not under curtains or near furniture). It is convection-based, but it also has a neat "fast warm up" feature that will turn on a forced-air fan for a short period to get the room heated up, then it settles back into convection mode.

Convection models (like radiators) tend to be higher rated because they are safer. They don't depend on a fan to distribute the heat, and so have less risk of overheating due to a jammed or broken fan.

Radiant models are interesting but have some unique issues. They warm a round dish that radiates heat directly outward rather than circulating warm air. They turn on really fast and are good for warming a particular area - just point it at the couch and cuddle up. However they can emit more light, which might bother you if you're sleeping. And they can be a little hot close-up, so you might not want to use one in a bathroom.

Andy's answer: Color lasers are definitely still around but in terms of photographic quality you will get better results with an inkjet. I know it used to be the other way around but lasers hit a ceiling on resolution after a while but inkjets have continued getting finer and finer resolution. Canon's in particular are very popular among photography enthusiasts. Lasers are still good, especially in an office setting where you need to crank out a 20-page Powerpoint or something. Cheaper toner and faster with a laser. But if you want a perfect-looking glossy print of your graduation photo, go with a nice inkjet.

Andy's answer: They are still around but the company has been through all kinds of ownership changes. The software and hardware sides of the business were split and sold to different companies, and the hardware side at least has changed owners more than once. I don't think their products are as revolutionary and cool as they used to be, although they are still around. It's not clear whether the Paperport software supports Macs anymore. I remember the early days of this company too. It's a shame they got so scrambled around.

Andy's answer: Actually yes, I do own a RabbitAir. It's very quiet and has reduced the level of allergy suffering in my house since we fired it up. It's actually so quiet we barely know it's on. The lights on the main control panel were a little too bright for our bedroom but it has a dimmer for that... I just have to figure out how to use it!

Andy's answer: In small apartments a flat screen will take up less space. It's less of a piece of furniture. Just something flat hanging on the wall.

Andy's answer: It's not required but they tell you to do it because it will make the dishes a little shinier with fewer spots.

Andy's answer: I happen to have one of these as well and so far it is doing 100% better than our last one!

Andy's answer: These days the answer is pretty much 'yes,' and mostly for two reasons. 1 - the video recording devices inside phones and cameras have continued to improve in quality. They are much better than they used to be. 2 - the most common thing people do with their videos these days is share them online, and you don't want super high quality for that. Just good enough will do.

If you are mostly interested in online sharing, then I wouldn't bother with a full-blown camcorder. The benefits of a dedicated camcorder are longer recording time, more battery life, higher quality video output, and interoperability with higher-end editing equipment. Probably better sound, too. If you need something robust, a camcorder is for you. If you are just shooting 20-second clips of the dog to send to grandma, then yeah stick with your phone / digital camera.

Andy's answer: Also the Casio EXILIM line gets a lot of praise, particularly from the stylish crowd. Take a look at this one.

Andy's answer: If you're more interested in an SLR, the Nikon D90 is under $1000 and extremely well-regarded. Do you have a lens investment we need to know about?

Andy's answer: That is a broad question but here is a widely applicable answer: The Canon Powershot S90. It's small, but powerful. Easy to use, but offers advanced features. In particular, it takes amazing photos in low-light situations like indoors at night. It isn't a "night vision" infrared camera that can take photos in pitch black, it just takes way better pictures in dark situations than any other camera I've seen. This makes it great for people shots in social situations.

Andy's answer: Here's one recommended by Consumer Reports as one of the best vacuums on the market right now.

Andy's answer: These are particularly versatile if you like using your vacuum cleaner for different kinds of cleaning - furniture, dusting, sweeping up in the kitchen, etc. But make sure the brush has enough power if you're planning to use it on carpets. That's often the drawback of the bagged canister types.

Andy's answer: I have a Dyson "Animal" and it's pretty good. Has helped us keep up with our two cats pretty well. The brush attachment that fits on the hose is a little disappointing because the vacuum doesn't produce enough suction power to really drive the brush. HOWEVER the hose attachment size is compatible with our mini ShopVac, which has more than enough power. I guess that was kind of a saving grace, otherwise I would have been unhappy with the product overall. It's a good vacuum and has held up well over time. Not revolutionary or anything. But good. Worth over $500? I dunno...

Andy's answer: Wait for v2 unless you have a strong reason to buy v1. I bet that v1 will be available for some time, at a reduced price.