if you are on a mac, you can disable the ping menus. this might be true for windows, but I know it is true for the mac. This is the latest version of itunes.

I have a smart playlist in itunes that is the most recent podcasts downloaded.

I also can manually put episodes in a playlist, but I do this with video playlists, not audio.

I can create the playlist and use it in iTunes, it just won't copy over to my iPod that way, which is annoying because I prefer podcasts in a playlist so that you don't have to scroll through the menus each time an episode ends (especially with 5-minute language ones).

Minimalist wooden PC case

Pretty Minimalist wooden PC case is pretty!

That looks sorta like the Thermaltake level 10 case. Which you can buy if you want to spend way, way too much money on a computer case.

[link]

That looks sorta like the Thermaltake level 10 case.

That one looks like a futuristic coffee machine.

omnis, if you do want to upgrade, you can totally just buy the $29 "upgrade from 10.5" thing, and not the whole kit and kaboodle. I mean, you won't get new iphoto and all that, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper. I did it, and it worked fine.

I'd like some advice on purchase of an entry-level digital SLR camera. I can only take so-so pictures with my point-and-shoot, but would like to learn how to get better photos. There is an adult class on DSLR photography being offered nearby, and I'm thinking of enrolling.

It looks like Canon Rebel models have pretty good reviews (they are apparently smaller and easier to handle for beginners; I have wee hands and would like to avoid anything too bulky). I've narrowed my choices down to Rebel XS vs. Rebel T1i. T1i is 15.1 MP vs. XS's 10.1 MP, which is the biggest difference, of course, but I don't know if that will make a big difference to a truly entry-level SLR photographer like me to justify the additional $150. T1i also shoots HD video and is HDMI compatible, but I don't know if that's a feature I'd use much.

Thoughts?

For starting out you'll be better served by getting the XS body at the cheaper price and don't get the kit lens that comes with it. Take the $150 that you saved along with the money not getting the kit lens and then buy a better lens. A good lens will make more of a difference in the quality of your shots than the extra 5 megapixels will.

I'm on my third Canon Rebel (first one was film, and I'm on my second Digital Rebel) and I love them. One day I'm going to be able to buy the Canon 5D MkII.

Thanks! The Rebel XS body only goes for around $411 on Amazon. With EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens, it's $500.

I know very little (well, nothing, really) about camera lenses. What type of lens should I be buying if I were to purchase the camera and the lens separately?

Personally, I use my wide angle way more than my zoom. The standard "eye" lens is 50mm, so the one you mention is almost all wide angle. However, I'd rather have something that didn't go quite as wide but had a bit of zoom, something in the 30-85mm range, depending on what's available.