Anybody know of a website, script, or application that will run through all your livejournal entries and change them to friends only? I'm probably converting to a non-public journal, just for my own personal comfort. Especially since I'll eventually have students, and my LJ could probably be found with a search of my name. I don't really want to go back through all my entries and edit them one-by-one if I can help it, though.

ETA: Never mind, going through one-by-one in my client turned out to be cathartic.

DH and I have been talking seriously about replacing our DVD player (our current one has developed an annoying habit of not being able to hold the tray open long enough to put a DVD in -- hitting the "open/close" button does just that, the tray opens and then immediately closes again, so in order to insert a disc, you have to grab it and manually hold it open), and I've been looking at the Philips DVP642. I know it's been mentioned here before, but it's got very mixed reviews online.

Specifically, I've seen repeated complaints about the drive noise, and units dying unexpectedly after 7 or 8 months. Has anyone here owned one for long enough to tell me if this is a universal problem?

Has anyone here owned one for long enough to tell me if this is a universal problem?

Don't you think that's a little harsh, blaming your DVD player failure on Universal movies?

Jessica, FWIW, I haven't noticed the drive noise on mine. I got it last November, so I guess it should be dying any day now.

Jessica ... go for the cheapest you can find. The new formats will be released fairly soon, making existing DVD players obsolete. No sense wasting money on an expensive player if that's the case. The new format players will also play existing dvd discs.

Knock on wood, my Philips 727 has been going strong for a few years now, and that unit supposedly is also prone to unexpected failure.

Okay. I'm gearing up to buy my first new computer in, literally, 10 years. I'm a little intimidated by the whole process. Despite the fact that I am a "technical" writer I'm really not very tech savvy at all.

So, I was hoping I could get some advice from you guys. I'm sorry if my questions are kinda dumb. (but you all won't be able to see me blushing and stammering like, say, the guys in the Apple store would if I asked them.)

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get an iBook. That seems to be the most practical option to me. I'm set on getting a Mac and I think I could really use something portable. So, in addition to the things I think come standard with the iBook I would like to:

• be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

• be able to record music with it. I know I'm going to have to get some kind of device to do this. I just want to record practices. The sound quality does not have to be supafine at all.

• Also I want an iPod, of course, but I'm thinking a Shuffle will actually suit me best (I'll want it mainly for when I'm, ugh, running on the treadmill at the gym). However, I'd really like to be able to set it up to work in my car. Do those car adapter kits only work with the full-sized iPods?

I'll probably need to get Word for it in order to do fun stuff like Work from Home when I need to. I'm pretty sure I can buy that unbundled with the rest of Office, which I really won't need. Aside from that I can't think of anything I really need it to do that it isn't already able to do.

Unless there's something I haven't considered at all. Any suggestions are welcome!

If you go to store.apple.com and click on the "Looking for a great deal?" link on the right side, Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Apple is currently selling refurbed iBooks starting at $799.00

Is that a good idea? Honestly, I'm a little wary of buying something used.

eta It seems like an okay thing based on how Apple describes their refurbishment process...Of course, now I'm thinking maybe I should just buy a refurbished PowerBook! But why would I really need one?

So, in addition to the things I think come standard with the iBook I would like to:

be able to use it anywhere. Is this pretty easy to set up? Is the ability to do this built in or will I need to buy an additional component to make it happen? (again apologizing for my ignorance)

Super-duper easy. You open the lid, and away you go.

be able to record music with it. I know I'm going to have to get some kind of device to do this. I just want to record practices. The sound quality does not have to be supafine at all.

The iBook should come with GarageBand installed. I've never used it, but I understand that it's pretty damned cool.