Jessica: FYI, 99% of audio people HATE Bose. Their sound quality is not nearly worth the price, and the aesthetics rarely counteract the high dollas paid. At least, so I hear from those "in the know," which does not include me, really. They'd say that the Yamaha you got is probably as good as whatever Bose set is available for twice the price. Buying Bose is like buying Louis Vitton - more name than value (Note: if there is something about those Louis Vitton bags that actually DOES make them worth the money, then you may substitute that metaphor with some other designer wear that isn't really all that much better than its knockoffs. I know they're out there but am unfamiliar enough with fashion to be unsure of what actually fits.)

I'll be in a tiny NYC apartment myself, starting in June. Probably tinier than yours, even, though I clearly can't bet on that. Still, one person, on a teacher's salary, makes it pretty likely (unless I find awesome roommates, of course). In my case, I have no problem with the speakers taking up more space than anything else in the home, though - I like my sound quality. I'll give up my Powermac G5 (and the accompanying screen) for a high-end powerbook if I need to save space at some point down the road.

Any recs for a digital camera with a minimum of 3 megapixels and a 10x or greater optical zoom lens? (No digital SLRs, though.)

I've seen a few good reviews of the Panasonic Lumix series lately and I went to browse through the ultrazoom cameras at a local shop today, but I apparently knew more about the cameras than the salesperson. You know it's a bad sign when the salesperson gives up trying to figure out how to power up a camera and arbitrarily decides the batteries must be dead, but you take one look at the camera and correctly push the power button.

Can anyone recommend a "quark for dummies" type book for the mac version? I have used InDesign, and am fumbling my way through some changes and updates, but things like how to create paragraph and character styles are defeating me.

My wireless adapter for my Tivo arrived today AIFG. So far, I'm jsut happy that there is no more phone line across the living room. It was just waiting for the dogs to trip on it and send the whole thing crashing down.

Any recs for a digital camera with a minimum of 3 megapixels and a 10x or greater optical zoom lens?

I really like all of Canon's digital cameras, and the PowerShot S1 IS looks like it fits the bill.

The Panasonic 12x zoom cameras also look good. I've never used them, but the reviews seem positive.

That said, I'd never go back to a non SLR camera after having used an SLR. Being able to change lenses is a lifesaver. In low light, our 50mm 1.8 lens lets us take fast exposure pictures that we couldn't get with any fixed lense digital camera.

Any recs for a digital camera

This is a good site for specs., comparisons, and reviews: [link]

I heard good things about the Powershot S1 when I was shopping around too. Though I went with something cheaper.

"An Addictive Taste of iPod: It occurred to me last week, as I inserted the earbuds and cued up a trip to my own little world. Apple's iPod Shuffle is the musical equivalent of a gateway drug. It all starts out innocently and before you know it, you're hooked and searching for the next rush."

- MotleyFool.com

An Addictive Taste of iPod

Do not eat iPod Shuffle!

The Birth of the Notebook

On the top of page 2 is the Epson HX-20, the first computer to be called a "laptop" (it came out in '82). It has a built-in tape drive and printer. I own one - it's fun.