Scientific American's Sci/Tech Gifts for 2003

Rick DeBay writes "Scientific American has come out with their Sci/Tech gift list for 2003. I think they did a good job, even the selections in the under $25 category are quite tasteful and dignified. And what Sophisticated Lady wouldn't be overjoyed at unwrapping a genuine Swarovski crystal accessory? My personal favorites fall in to those well-worn categories, 'Imprisoning Small Creatures for Amusement' and 'Getting Someone Else to Clean-Up.' The frog and shrimp farms fufill the first, and the domestically-challengeds' favorite Roomba the latter. Seriously, there is a mix of interesting gadgets, products that should never have been made, refugees from Sharper Image, and humorous geek stocking stuffers. It is unlikely that you could go wrong."

Comments

Google!

[Anonymous Coward]

Google!

(Search it for worm quartet message board)

U.N. has sold out!

[Anonymous Coward]

UNITED NATIONS (CNN) -- Some members of al Qaeda most likely possess portable surface-to-air missiles and may use them to target military transport planes, a U.N. report says.

What the hell?

I thought U.N. was the lone beacon of light and reason in the darkness of madness cast by the "war on terrorism" fanatics in US and UK!

They've apparently sold out to the military-industrial complex when they publish alarmist crap like that.

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Anonymous Coward]

Maybe you should just declare "Peace in our time", and go bury your head in the sand.

Two more bombs just went off in Turkey. Or perhaps we should just give in and welcome our new fanical overlords.

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Dynamic Ranger]

No entry found for fanical.

Did you mean finical?

Suggestions:
finical
fan ical
fan-ical
fani cal
fani-cal
fornical
panical
faucal
finically
fanal
fanatical
funicle
farcical
maniacal
faecal
finial
funiculi
bancal
fungal
faunal

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Anonymous Coward]

Two more bombs just went off in Turkey.

And how many bombs went off in Turkey before the war on terror and the axis of evil were declared?

The war on terror feeds terror (and by proxy itself, which I guess is in the minds of those who orchestrate the damn "war"). It's a war with no end. It's just pissing off people more and more, they go and blow up stuff and that's when GWB and his poodle come crying for more money to "fight for freedom".

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[SiaFhir]

I think what we all need for Christmas is a Get Out Of Hell Free card!

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[ed333]

financial?

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Anonymous Coward]

I am not sure, but just off hand... the same temple was attacked in like '78 (or was it '83). I also know that Turkey has had a long history of terrorism, mostly associated with the Turkish Kurds. So does that answer your question. BTW, did you know that Turkey is a member of NATO?

Don't screw with me, I have been a news/history junkie, since I was like 10 yo (37 now).

Terrorism is nothing new. Now we are "draining the swamps", it's not pretty, it is not easy, but it needs to be done. I don't think Bush is right in everything he does (in particular taxes, and policies), but some things are needed. Like the overthrow of a murdering dictator, how would Europe look today if we didn't remove Hitler, or Asia if we left the warlords in charge of Japan. Also you (and everyone else) should note that GWI (Gulf War I, if you will) never did end. It just changed into a low grade war of air combat. The U.S., England, and France all had combat missions over Iraq over the last dozen years. Well, France gave up, I think that Saddam paid off his friend (nothing new there either).

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Anonymous Coward]

Wow! GWB should order a jumbo pack RIGHT NOW!

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[ElGanzoLoco]

Hmmm, no. What happens is that some terrorist organizations *do* have access to surface to air missiles, and *are* willing to use them against military (or civilian, for that matter) transport planes.

Sadly, it is not "alarmist crap" at all. Portable SAM systems are easy to find, and affordable too. This was true before Sep. 11th, and will be true in the future. You can get them from ex-USSR countries, Ethiopia, Erythrea, Somalia, the Balkans (duh!), among other places. A russian-designed SA 7 Strella missile shouldn't cost more than a hundred thousand dollars (launcher + one missile). These are manufactured under license in many countries: Russia, Pakistan (methinks), China, etc...

This is true regardless of your opinion on the so-called "war on terror". The fact that the US and the UK lied about Irak and overplayed the "war on terrorism" stuff, doesn't make the terrorists less "real". (Or does it?)

(interestingly I typed down "SA 7 Strella" even before I read the CNN page you are pointing at; see, this is far from being new, and I had read about these years before the beginning of the "war on terror")

Just my 2 piastres (typing this from Cairo, Egypt :)

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[stoborrobots]

fanatical?

(religious fanatics?)

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[dbIII]

You can get them from ex-USSR countries

Last I heard, the weapon of choice was the stinger missiles made in the USA. How many of them were given away in Afganistan again? How many did Rumsfeld give Iraq before Kuwait? Some things we just have to be careful about. Hopefully in a few years we won't be regretting Poindexter and North selling so many of the damn things to Iran.

terrorist organizations *do* have access to surface to air missiles, and *are* willing to use them against military (or civilian, for that matter) transport planes.

That's old news, a couple of African countries lost their Presidents that way.

Re:U.N. has sold out!

[Dynamic Ranger]

What is a chatbot?

JESSICA LYNCH TOOK ONE UP THE ASS FOR THE TEAM!

[Anonymous Coward]

JESSICA LYNCH TOOK ONE UP THE ASS FOR THE TEAM! If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this

Turns out the Iraquis have a little Kobe Bryant blood in them -- they like the old corn hole, too.

Five minutes after Lynch was captured, they're passing her around like a pack of smokes, fucking her in the ass, turning her into their own personal goatse man.

As Americans it is our patriotic duty to go to war overseas and kill as many filthy sand niggers as possible. Send their heathen asses to burn in Hell for all eternity. It's what Jesus wants us to do.

By modding this post down you are affirming your allegiance to the Jihad over in the Middle East and we will track your Allah-praising ass down and you will be executed for teason against the United States of America.

*_l_y_n_c_h_s_e_x_*_l_y_n_c_h_s_e_x_*_l_y_n_c_h_*_
l_______________________________________________l_ _
y_/_____\_____________\____________/____\_______y_ _
n|_______|_____________\__________|______|______n_ _
c|_______`._____________|_________|_______:_____c_ _
h`________|_____________|________\|_______|_____h_ _
s_\_______|_/_______/__\\\___--___\\_______:____s_ _
e__\______\/____--~~__________~--__|_\_____|____e_ _
x___\______\_-~____________________~-_\____|____x_ _
*____\______\_________.--------.______\|___|____*_ _
l______\_____\______//_________(_(__>__\___|____l_ _
y_______\___.__C____)_________(_(____>__|__/____y_ _
n_______/\_|___C_____)/IRAQI_\_(_____>__|_/_____n_ _
c______/_/\|___C_____)__LOVE_|__(___>___/__\____c_ _
h_____|___(____C_____)\CANAL_/__//__/_/_____\___h_ _
s_____|____\__|_____\\_________//_(__/_______|__s_ _
e____|_\____\____)___`---~()~--'_____________|__e_ _
x____|__\___________________________________/_|_x_ _
*___|______________/_____________\____________|_*_ _
l___|_____________|_______________\___________|_l_ _
y___|__________/_/_________________\___________|y_ _
n___|_________/_/___________________|__________|n_ _
c__|_________/_/_____________________|_________|c_ _
h__|__________|______________________|_________|h_ _
*_l_y_n_c_h_s_e_x_*_l_y_n_c_h_s_e_x_*_l_y_n_c_h_*_

Important Stuff: Please try to keep posts on topic. Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads. Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said. Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about. Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your threshold on the User Preferences Page) If you want replies to your comments sent to you, consider logging in or creating an account.

Important Stuff: Please try to keep posts on topic. Try to reply to other people's comments instead of starting new threads. Read other people's messages before posting your own to avoid simply duplicating what has already been said. Use a clear subject that describes what your message is about. Offtopic, Inflammatory, Inappropriate, Illegal, or Offensive comments might be moderated. (You can read everything, even moderated posts, by adjusting your thre

Re:JESSICA LYNCH TOOK ONE UP THE ASS FOR THE TEAM!

[Anonymous Coward]

It's a little trick the iraqi army learned from UN weapons inspector/homosexual pedophile Scott Ritter.

Well...

[Anonymous Coward]

Here's to hoping iTunes isn't on it again...

Re:Well...

[Anonymous Coward]

Why would iTunes be on it when it's FREE, dipshit???

Well-worn categories

[Anonymous Coward]

My personal favorites fall in to those well-worn categories, 'Imprisoning Small Creatures for Amusement' and 'Getting Someone Else to Clean-Up.'

Tested and approved by the United States under "Current Foreign Policy".

Re:Well-worn categories

[Anonymous Coward]

You mean like the French in Vietnam, oh, btw, our Navy (the U.S. that is) just docked a ship in the port and the communists are making way for a free-market (quicker than China). I just goes to show you that you don't win every war with force.

Lame

[superdan2k]

And what Sophisticated Lady wouldn't be overjoyed at unwrapping a genuine Swarovski crystal accessory?

Howabout the one that no longer has PC PS2 connectors on their computer? (RTFA)

My girlfriend is fairly sophisticated, but if I gave her that, she'd probably question my sexuality.

Re:Lame

[drinkypoo]

It's just further proof that these people don't 'get it'. "What interface do most people use for their mice, bob?" "Oh, well, PS/2." However the people who buy computers for looks buy Macs! What retards. It should be an optical mouse (for long life) with a USB connection (like you didn't know this) and instead it's... Crap.

Re:Lame

[mikerich]

And what Sophisticated Lady wouldn't be overjoyed at unwrapping a genuine Swarovski crystal accessory?

Howabout the one that no longer has PC PS2 connectors on their computer? (RTFA)

My girlfriend is fairly sophisticated, but if I gave her that, she'd probably question my sexuality.

I'd insist on buying a wireless version for the lady in my life.

Not because of any superior ergonomic factors, but because Bluetooth would remove the risk of my beloved wrapping the cord around my throat and tightening.

My god, they're going to have to find a new measurement for bad taste now that thing's rolled into town.

Best wishes,
Mike

Re:Lame

[Anonymous Coward]

my beloved wrapping the cord around my throat and tightening.

Hey, don't knock it before you try it!

All I want for Christmas

[Space cowboy]

... is that the servers in the co-lo don't have a hissy fit and die. That'd be a 1000-mile round-trip to see what's wrong :-(

Pressies are always good though :-)))

Simon.

a mirror, a mirror, my kingdom for a mirror

[Anonymous Coward]

anyone got a mirror for the poor slashdotted site?

Re:a mirror, a mirror, my kingdom for a mirror

[Davak]

Top Sci/Tech Gifts 2003

25 great holiday gifts for science lovers of all ages
Who says there's no science to gift giving? Tell that to the geek on your list whose bemused smile at "yet another acrylic turtleneck" is but a thin veil for his real desire for a James Watson Bobble Head doll.
Once again, we have left no stone unturned in ferreting out the very best gifts for the science lovers in your midst. What's under those rocks, you might well ask. Well, the South American Longhorn Beetle Collection for one, mounted quite elegantly in your choice of frames in one of our most attractive present selections. What's more, we've got a one-pound, anatomically correct chocolate brain for hungry minds, an at-home forensics lab for the pint-sized Sherlock, and, at long last, a clever contraption that will help your loved ones to divine their dogs' most profound emotions. For your very nearest and dearest, consider a self-orienting telescope, a Swarovski crystal-studded computer mouse, or Sony's AIBO ERS-7, the latest and most astounding in robotic pet technology.

Scientific American.com stands firm in the belief that there truly is a science to gift giving. We've done the research--now you furnish the results! --The Editors
Special thanks to Melissa Kirsch for her assistance in producing this section

GIFTS UNDER $25
A Crick in His Neck?
Best known for his contributions to the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of the structure of DNA, James D. Watson has never been so memorably depicted as in the form of the Watson Bobble Head. Bearing an uncanny likeness to the scientist himself, the doll's head lolls hither and yon delightfully, perhaps unsteady with the weight of all that knowledge! A mini-model of the famous double-helix clasped in his tiny hands, the figurine is a must-give for the biologists on your gift list.
James Watson Bobble Head $21.95

Not Just for Hydrochloric Acid Anymore One need not be a chemist to enjoy drinking that morning joe from a beaker! These sly Pyrex mugs sport handles, unlike many beakers in the lab, so your loved ones won't burn their hands on the vessels' steaming hot potions. This addition is also useful for science teachers, as students can watch the transfer of liquids without the demonstrator's hand blocking the view. The mugs hold up to 400 milliliters of coffee, tea or corrosive chemicals.
Beaker Mug $10.95 ($59.95 for set of six)

Food for Thought
Studies abound detailing the effects of chocolate on our nervous systems. But we've yet to see a scientific study on the results of consuming a chocolate brain. Now you can find out when you give the gift of an anatomically correct one-pound solid milk chocolate brain to all the neurosurgeons, med students, brainiacs and knuckleheads on your holiday roster. Potential organ donors should note that warm climates require express shipping for their brains.
Chocolate Brain $16.95

The Hypochondriac's Teddy Bear
There's nothing adorable about a sore throat in real life, but when it's magnified a million times, rendered in plush and given a set of button eyes, there's no denying it: this is one cute microbe. Joined by his other stuffed friends The Common Cold, The Flu and Stomach Ache, these pals from the Under the Weather Collection make a wacky gift for kids and adults alike. Each four-inch-tall critter is accompanied by an image of and information on the actual microbe it represents, lest anyone get too cozy with their darling little illnesses. Just as much fun is the Maladies Collection, which includes cuddly Bad Breath. Kissing Disease, Athlete's Foot, and Ulcer.
Plush Microbes $19.95

Quiz Show
For all those budding geniuses, here are endless hours of riddles, number games and word puzzles from the folks at the stratospheric-IQ society, MENSA. Choose from three different sets of elegantly designed quiz cards. At just about the size of your average index card, they're great for long car trips, sleepless nights or a post-dinner parlor game.
MENSA Mindbender Quiz Ca

My gift to Sci Am

[Lane.exe]

A new server, to replace the now smoking one in their offices.

Re:My gift to Sci Am

[The One KEA]

How about a totally melted CPU? ;-)

Google hasn't cached it yet.

Re:My gift to Sci Am

[Lane.exe]

/.ED!

"Ow! My server!"

Re:My gift to Sci Am

[Anonymous Coward]

Google hasn't cached it yet.

Hot damn, that's painful.

I'm sure the use of Cold Fusion content management software is not helping.

I was able to load the first page in something over 60 seconds, but there were numerous errors.

The Best Gift: +1, Patriotic

[Anonymous Coward]

Would be the impeachment of the world's most dangerous politician.

Thanks and have a peaceful day,
Kilgore Trout

Re:The Best Gift: +1, Patriotic

[Anonymous Coward]

Yasser Arafat can be impeached?

Educate your family!

[bartash]

I am buying Beyond Fear for lots of people this Christmas.

Re:Educate your family!

[Anonymous Coward]

So, from this Christmas on you want to be known by your extended family, not as the black sheep, but as the tinfoil hat-wearing nut?

Re:Educate your family!

[bartash]

Heh, the thing is that "Beyond Fear" is so f**ing reasonable. It's not nutty at all. I think that reading stuff about why airport security is mostly stupid will make people feel less crazy.

Re:Educate your family!

[bobdinkel]

While I applaud your desire to educate other, I fear (heh) that you'd be perpetuating a bigger problem. I would suggest a different book - The Culture of Fear. And the author isn't a nutcase, even though he was featured in Michael Moore's psuedo-documentary "Bowling for Columbine". Pick it up. It's tremendously enlightening.

Re:Educate your family!

[notoriousE]

reminds me of a song Christmas At Ground Zero, by Weird Al What a nice gift to ease the minds of those you love this christmas...

Dgnified...

[doublebackslash]

dignified?!?!?!?!!!!

Everyone knows D.N.A. was about 6'6" and a bit over 110Kg and had a bit of a bad heart. Why is this guy special!?
Where is the D.N.A. bobble head!?

Ambient Orb

[Lizard_King]

Green... the market's up. Yellow... unchanged. Red... stocks are down. As the market fluctuates throughout the day, Ambient Orb gradually transitions between colors, giving you an at-a-glance picture of your financial position.

Now I know what to do with that extra $150 I have lying around!

Seriously though... its the people that would buy crap like this that invest in rumor-mongrels like SCO.

Re:Ambient Orb

[mackman]

The sphere is also scriptable. You can change its color by making HTTP GET requests to the sphere-controlling server. Although I'm not gonna plop down $150 for it, I think having a glowing sphere telling you how much email you have (green no mail, yellow some, red too much) would be pretty cool.

Re:Ambient Orb

[plenTpak]

Green: Nominal traffic Yellow: High traffic Red: Slashdot panic!

Re:Ambient Orb

[freeze128]

If the submitter thinks that these should never have been made, then why does thinkgeek sell them Here?

Re:Ambient Orb

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, I thought it was your standard Sharper Image fare.
I liked the idea another poster had of tying it to your server performance, so it would turn bright-red during a /. tsunami.

Re:Ambient Orb

[dbIII]

Although I'm not gonna plop down $150 for it, I think having a glowing sphere telling you how much email you have (green no mail, yellow some, red too much) would be pretty cool.

At that price it should float out onto the water and round up intruders.

Shrimp Farm? Big Deal

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

I had a "Shrimp Farm" almost three decades ago. But it had a much cooler name, This was truly a great gift.

Re:Shrimp Farm? Big Deal

[Walterk]

Lame. They're only G-rated. I'll wait for the X-rated sea monkeys.

Re:Shrimp Farm? Big Deal

[iocat]

My son has sea monkeys and I swear I've seen them having sex. Well, at least co-joined for long periods, followed a few days later by the presence of new, tiny, sea monkeys in the tank. So, are those X-rated sea monkeys? Maybe I can sue...

Re:Shrimp Farm? Big Deal

[WhyteRabbyt]

Yup. We had some. They'll shag for hours and hours, just going round and round.

Then they all died.

Exhaustion, I suspect.

Dear Santa,

[mikesab]

I would like Windows .Net server for Christmas. And more ram.
Your's Truly,
Slashdot Website

Re:Dear Santa,

[IWorkForMorons]

I would like Windows .Net server for Christmas.
And more ram.
Your's Truly,
Slashdot Website


I would like a Quad Opteron with 2 gigs of ram.
And a T3 line.
Your's Truly
A poor shmuck with a lump of scorched metal that use to be my web server until someone posted links to it on Slashdot.

Santa..

[Anonymous Coward]

Santa, I want a smell-a-scope, and a bending unit, and a virtual Internet, and a pony, and a death clock, and... Oh wait, you want REAL geek gifts :-(

Forterss of Insanity
Blogzine

Re:Santa..

[ObiWanKenblowme]

I want a lunar lander for Christmas. With blackjack...and hookers. In fact, forget the lunar lander and blackjack.

Re:Santa..

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm going to shove coal so far up your stocking you'll be coughing up diamonds!

Fortress of Insanity
Blogzine

Re:Santa..

[MynockGuano]

Your mistletoe is no match for my T.O.W Missile!

Re:Santa..

[Hatta]

And I want a robot of Lucy Liu. yeow.

Re:Santa..

[Anonymous Coward]

Your present may need some assembly.

Fortress of Insanity
Blogzine

Give the gift of llamas!

[Guano_Jim]

Check out Heifer International.

For under $25 you can give a gift to a hungry family that will help them sustain themselves for a lifetime. You buy "shares" of animals that the organization then gives to the family.

The gift recipient on your end ( mom, dad, sis, whoever) gets a card detailling your contribution in their name. Great stocking stuffers. Nothing says "I love you" like a share of water buffalo.

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[Stiletto]

Instead of buying a feel-good card from some organization, I'd say your charity money could be utilized 100% if you just find a hungry family and buy them some food...

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[micromoog]

So organized charity is somehow wrong? Please. Besides, $25 goes much much farther in a 3rd world economy than in the United States, and "finding a hungry family" consumes resources in itself (comparable to "charity overhead", if you will).

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[ObiWanKenblowme]

It's like the old saying goes: Buy a family a dinner, they eat for a night. Buy a family a water buffalo, they all get trampled and have to be airlifted to the nearest trauma center.

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[iocat]

Uh, perhaps you haven't heard this saying: "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day, Teach a man to fish and he eats for the rest of his life."

The idea is that even if it's a little more inefficient at getting the hungry people food that very second, if you give them some sustainable livestock, you reduce the chances that they'll be hungry in the future.

Of course, these days that saying should probably be updated to "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he'll be dead of mercury poisoning in five years" but it's the thought that counts...

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[operagost]

Everybody's got a water buffalo.
Yours is fast, but mine is slow.
Oh, where do we get them, I don't know,
But everybody's got a water buffalooooooooooooooo!

I took my buffalo to the store.
Got his head caught in the door.
Spilled some lima beans on the floor.
Oh, everybody's got a --

Asparagus: Stop! Stop this instant! You can't say everybody's got a water buffalo when everyone does *not* have a water buffalo! We're going to get nasty letters in the mail saying, "Where's my water buffalo? Why don't I have a water buffalo?" and are you prepared to deal with that? I don't think so! Just stop being so silly!

Narrator: This has been silly songs with Larry. Tune in next time to hear Larry sing ...

Larry: Everybody's got a baby kangaroo.
Yours is pink but mine is blue.
Hers was small but --

Asparagus: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[jrc313]

Now that is fucking funny!

Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[Anonymous Coward]

Give a man some food, you feed him for a day. Give a man a fraction of a goat, and he'll eat goatcheese for the rest of his life.

What Slashdot Wants!

[Davak]

Santa Slashdot:

Please give me a Swiss Army PDA Phone with MP3, GPS, Wireless, and GameBoy emulation all in one. Oh, and please include the linux plug-in adapter as well.

Davak

PS. I've been a good little Karma Whore this year.

Re:What Slashdot Wants!

[Anonymous Coward]

What the hell? How is this a troll?

Maybe it's not funny... but it's not a troll...

Re:What Slashdot Wants!

[BMonger]

Please give me a Swiss Army PDA Phone with MP3, GPS, Wireless, and GameBoy emulation all in one. Oh, and please include the linux plug-in adapter as well.

Somebody hasn't been here long... if it's not OGG people will cry. Not me though... I'm one of those silly AAC users.

Re:What Slashdot Wants!

[Anonymous Coward]

WMA makes baby Jesus cry... OGG gets him to shut the hell up...

Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm pretty much a gadget geek. Here are some of the things that I want for Christmas:

1) Job, so that I can buy these things for myself. Being laid off sucks.
2) Something for my daughter, besides the bare necessities.
3) Something for my wife. She works hard because I'm laid off.
4) December's mortgage payment.
5) November's property tax payment.
6) One night of uninterrupted sleep.
7) A two-month contract, just enough to get through December
8) A month contract, just enough to get through November.
9) A week contract, just enough to pay my phone and electric bill.
10) All the above for my friend, who's worse off than I am.

I stopped dreaming about dual Opterons about six months ago.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

1) Job, so that I can buy these things for myself. Being laid off sucks.

Why are you reading slashdot when you could be out looking for work? Whining about your job situation only makes you look pathetic.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

>6) One night of uninterrupted sleep.

Over Christmas? When you have a daughter? Keep dreaming...

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

What, McDonalds arn't hiring? If you're truly that desperate, you should be willing to do any job, no matter how demeaning or crappy, to pay the bills and keep your family safe.

Shit, I'd go back working in a Call Center if I had too and it damn near gave me a nervous breakdown the last time did it.

Re:Here's my list

[Stiletto]

How about a financial advisor ...so next time you're out of work you have a savings to float you until your next job.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

You could sell your wife and daughter. That would solve all your financial problems.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

Four job interviews this week. One as a PC technician at a job 40 miles away in Miami traffic. Sent out twenty resumes yesterday, 15 of them to headhunters who don't even call back. Six months ago I was looking for a C/Java programmer position. 3 months ago broadened to network administration. I have 10 years experience with everything from Sun E10Ks to embedded MIPS machines. Help desk jobs? Sure, $12/hr down here with a mandatory 50hr workweek, no overtime and only in Miami. Good money, right? It will cost be $20 a day just to drive there for gas, tolls, and parking. Workweek would be a minimum 64 hours after traffic is factored in. Once I pay $200/week for the baby sitter it's then not worth it. Take mass transit? This is Florida, there is no usable mass transit from Ft. Lauderdale to Miami because it takes a minimum 3 hours to get there with the screwed up scheduling. If I miss the 8:00PM bus, another hour before the next one shows up. So you can sit there smug and happy, condemning me for reading Slashdot. I don't care, really. You can be condescending and unconscionable, I'm just an anonymous coward not anywhere near you and this won't change your life. I don't care. Go back to your Slashdot, to your home in suburbia or wherever, sip your coffee. Just know that the wheel turns. The antic sits, grinning at your pomp. Rota tu volubilis. The wheel turns.

Re:Here's my list

[Natchswing]

If you drop the wife and kids you'd be amazed how much money you could save.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

Dude... you obviously haven't seen his wife and daughter... I don't think that's gonna work...

Re:Here's my list

[Billistic]

Oh but you have unlimited time to spend messing around on slashdot.

get a job.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

Nice comment. Lets hope the same thing happens to you.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

I know. These things can eat, and damn are they picky. Always whining, "I'm soooo sick of Ramen," and "Daddy, I don't wan't coffee." It got me through 6 years of life, nothing wrong with it.

Re:Here's my list

[tiled_rainbows]

You know, sometimes the moderation is the funniest thing about a post. Informative? Informative???

Re:Here's my list

[Beowabbit]

Rota tu volubilis.

I'd hire you, just for this quote!

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

You know, maybe you should start by stop reading slashdot and trying to find yourself a job.

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

So? Get out of this over-supplied field and go into something that pays. Hey, you're in America, land of the free, land of opportunity, right?
I'm sitting up here in Canada and laughing at your ass.

Re:Here's my list

[aardwolf204]

I'd just like to say that I sympathize with this guy, unlike most of you. Yeah, he should be out getting a job, or working a menial tech support, but you cannot be looking for a job 24x7.

his post to me was nothing more than a wake-up call saying "hey shithead reading slashdot on company time, be thankful that you can even afford to get your girlfriend an ipod, things could be much worse."

Re:Here's my list

[Anonymous Coward]

Once I pay $200/week for the baby sitter it's then not worth it. ... So you can sit there smug and happy, condemning me for reading Slashdot.

I condemn you for having a baby when it looks like you're not going to be able to care care of it. Babies are for rich people. Poor people who have babies, are evil inhuman monsters.

Just know that the wheel turns.

That's why I haven't instantiated a baby. Disaster always looms, and only a heartless son of a bitch would knowingly put an innocent child in its path.

Re:Here's my list

[Mrs. Neutron]

sigh... I hear you, wish I could help. Perhaps the best Christmas gift for those with jobs to give right now is to help out people who are having a tough time financially.

I do notice that there's a "Tech Jobs" link in the lower left hand corner of Slashdot. You've probably checked it, but I thought I'd point it out.

Finally, I just wanted to suggest a link of my own for people to look at if they want to help out others. Shelter for Life is doing a lot of work in Afghanistan to help people rebuild. They're beginning in Iraq again, now that Saddam isn't keeping them out anymore.

Re:Here's my list

[zod1025]

I doubt you'd know how to "instantiate" a baby if a pregnant woman fell on your penis.

Re:Here's my list

[ifwm]

Bullshit. I work one shift at a residential treatmet facility from 7 to 3. I go home, get some sleep, and go to work at another residential treatment facility from 10 to 6. Average hourly wage, 8.50. Now, I'm lucky because I'm a raging insomniac (if you call that luck) but even if I wasn't, I'd do WHATEVER I had to to pay the mortgage. That includes working at 7-11 if necessary. Explain to me how your scenario is "not worth it" when the alternative is NOTHING. Or worse yet, living off of other's labor. Sorry buddy, there are jobs out there, they just don't meet your standards. That's not a good enough reason to stay unemployed.

Re:Here's my list

[Fluid Truth]

I know you've been catching a lot of shit from people, but I thought it was a refeshing comment. Some people don't really have the time or the money to worry about crap.

And though I'm fortunate enough to still have my job, I have plenty of friends who either only recently found jobs or who STILL can't find jobs.

For all the people who think that just anyone can go get a McJob, think again. Being overqualified might just be worse than being underqualified--if you're underqualified, you can move up. A friend who was a project manager contractor for Sun couldn't get a job as a DELIVERY PERSON--because he was overqualified.

the perfect gift for an IT worker

[plinius]

Would be a job. Seriously, the counterspin being put out by industry saying that only 500,000 tech workers are jobless is false from everything else I've read. Easily 4 out of 10 IT workers are unemployed according to one source.

But what is the solution, move to India like Colin from the Comedy Central Tough Crowd recently joked ?

Re:the perfect gift for an IT worker

[Deflagro]

India wouldn't take you anyways. They're smart and won't let Americans work for them because they like to have an economy not based on sports teams and hollywood and monopolies. Sorry if this sounds like a rant but it's true. I would like to move back to Canada but I have hope this country will get back together. Sad really.

Re:the perfect gift for an IT worker

[Anonymous Coward]

Umm, yeah- you're praising India's economy?

I'd sure love to be there right now and be one of the elite few lucky enough to land an IT job making 70 cents an hour. Of course, I'd need to send most of that 70 cents/hour back to my family since they'd still live in complete poverty along with everyone else.

I gotta get back to my high paying job now so I can make some more cash to buy NBA season tickets.

Re:the perfect gift for an IT worker

[davidhan]

I have no idea what you're responding to, but if you said culture instead of economy, you'd be more better.

Re:the perfect gift for an IT worker

[Anonymous Coward]

Go back to Canada! It's all you foreigners that are screwing things up! eh?

Re:the perfect gift for an IT worker

[Anonymous Coward]

they like to have an economy not based on sports teams and hollywood and monopolies... I would like to move back to Canada...

Ah, Canada: home of a faltering economy based on sports teams (Quebec Nordiques, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Grizzlies, and the Ottawa Rough-Riders), Hollywood movies (starring Canadian actors, filmed in Canada to save money), and monopolies formed by Crown corporations.

Have some more beer eh?

My recommendation:

[breon.halling]

Might I suggest 120 laser pointers?

Re:My recommendation:

[Anti_Climax]

I'd Like to recommend a new server...

What I want for christmas

[Anonymous Coward]

where are my Glowing green flourescent fish ?

I Just Have To Share This Warm Holiday Quote

[Anonymous Coward]

"Hey! If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I'd like Frank Shirley, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey shit he is! Hallelujah! Holy shit! Where's the Tylenol?" - Clark W. Griswold, Christmas Vacation

Above quote from: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958/quotes

What SciAM wants for Xmas: Bigger Servers!

[blackdefiance]

Come on -- haven't they been hit by slashdot before?

They missed the _amazing_

[mfago]

ACME Klein Bottle!

OTOH, they did say science lovers, not topology geeks...

Re:They missed the _amazing_

[drinkypoo]

I bought a klein stein for a now-ex-girlfriend. The topology might be continuous, but the relationship had a sharp termination. Cliff Stoll is a joy to purchase from, he is very responsive, and I found his prices to be eminently reasonable. My only question is, when will he come out with a klein bong?

Re:They missed the _amazing_

[Abcd1234]

My only question is, when will he come out with a klein bong?

Didn't read the FAQ, didja? :)

Re:They missed the _amazing_

[Fenris Ulf]

I've been meaning to get one of these for years, but I cannot believe I never noticed that these are sold by Cliff Stoll (of Cuckoo's Egg fame).

refugee from sharper image??

[t--f-c]

*chuckle* thinkgeek sells it too...

fugee indeed

That was quick

[SPBesui]

/.'ed in under 20 comments.

Re:That was quick

[ViolentGreen]

It was slashdoted when there were only 2 comments visible. Possibly before that. That's when I tried to access it at least.

Re:That was quick

[calebtucker]

Well, it IS running ColdFusion.. whatta ya expect?

See ya!

[BaltoAaron]

I got this....

"Error Occurred While Processing Request...
The most likely cause of this problem is that the server is not currently running. Verify that the server is running and restart it if necessary. "

We toasted it.

Mirror for those who can't see anything

[Anonymous Coward]

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Moderation at its peak

[Anonymous Coward]

How is this offtopic? This is linked to FROM THE ORIGINAL POST

kuro5hin, here i go

Re:Moderation at its peak

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps this time, you'll stay there and we can avoid your bitching. When will you realize that only YOU care about whether your post gets "high marks" or not?

Off by one error

[Walter Wart]

The choclate brain was cute. But the people at SciAm, as Maxwell Smart would have said, "Missed it by that much." There was a perfectly good choclate heart right there on the same site. Which gift would have more wow-factor? Especially left on your sweetie's doorstep in a little puddle of chocolate sauce?

Re:Off by one error

[Anonymous Coward]

They could sell those chocolates on different sizes:
Einstein, Average Joe... and Presidential sized.

Re:Off by one error

[unfortunateson]

And why doesn't anyone ever sell a dark chocolate brain or heart?

My heart is dark, why shouldn't my chocolate one be too?

Buy Nothing Day

[Stiletto]

Why not instead participate in Buy Nothing Day, instead of buying more useless stuff that nobody needs?

Re:Buy Nothing Day

[wes33]

remember -- "buy nothing day" is logically equivalent to "earn nothing day"

(putting off purchaces doesn't count!)

Re:Buy Nothing Day

[Atzanteol]

Because I'm not a pretentious asshole?

Re:Buy Nothing Day

[Anonymous Coward]

So, what then? Put off buying groceries and whatnot until the next day? What the hell does that accomplish if you just buy the same junk the day after or the day before? How about Buy Only Useful Stuff And Not Crap That You're Going To Throw Out Within A Year day, and make it everyday?

Error messages .. connection refused??

[Anonymous Coward]

I think they have been slashdotted!

WOW!

[s33l3t]

"Motherboard Revisited Now your friends can be fashionably hi-tech while saving the environment at the same time. Made from actual recycled scraps of circuit board, these gifts are space-age attractive and make good use of old electronics parts that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Choose from a money clip, note pad, coaster set or clipboards in two sizes. A better option than destroying your own laptop for chips any day! " give yer kid a clipboard and send him to school with that and see if he doesnt get harassed about being a dork!

pda

[ambienceman]

i guess the sciam link has caught a case of the /.

i'm really thinking about getting a PDA. I'm a student studying economics. That would be a good list to look at

What I would try to get this on Ask Slashdot, but i don't think they'd post it up there.

Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptions.

[xC0000005]

Sea monkeys are also an effective way to ward off visitors. Keep a nine volt battery near the tank and every time a co-worker interupts, shcok a few. Then say "This little guy just paid for your interruption." You won't have to do this often. If the answer is documented somewhere, shock them twice.

opps i didnt preview

[ambienceman]

i guess the sciam link has caught a case of the /.

i'm really thinking about getting a PDA. I'm a student studying economics. That would be a good list to look at

What $300 or less PDAs would you slashdotters suggest for a student that doesn't want to hassle with the Linux handheld. I was looking at the older Sony PDA with the camera and such, but I want more bang for my buck. What would you all suggest?

I would try to get this on Ask Slashdot, but i don't think they'd post it up there.

Swarovski crystal

[deacent]

And what Sophisticated Lady wouldn't be overjoyed at unwrapping a genuine Swarovski crystal accessory?

While it's interesting looking, I'd rather have a USB mouse that isn't round. I also wonder about how well that finish holds up. And the price is a bit steep for me.

All tech mags turning into catalogs

[Ars-Fartsica]

What is with this trend? Wired devotes at least ten pages a month to hawking gadgets. Popular Science too. Now Scientific American? Guys - we already get the Sharper Image catalog in the mail whether we want it or not - please stick to reporting on science.

Re:All tech mags turning into catalogs

[linzeal]

If you want science read Nature for abroad swath of topics or find a journal devoted to the topic you are interested in. Scientific American has always been a pop science mag.

Re:All tech mags turning into catalogs

[bobdinkel]

You speak the truth. And it isn't just because of the holidays (at least not in the case of Wired). Wired has been steadily devoting more and more of its pages to reports about neat-o products. The articles about "technology trends" tend to be more about hipster cell phone fetishes than about actual trends in the technology world.
If the magazine wasn't so damned cheap I wouldn't resubscribe. But it is so I will. I just wish the reason it's so cheap wasn't so transparent.

Re:All tech mags turning into catalogs

[Walter Wart]

Wired lost its mojo about the time it was bought by Conde Nast.

Warning! Don't!

[Anonymous Coward]

A warning for those of us who are taste-impaired: Should you by accident have a girl in your life, handing her that mouse is the quickest way to get rid of her.

That thing is the *definition* of ugly crap.

Every day is Christmas in Heaven!

[HarveyBirdman]

What is with this trend?

Why, it's that's scientific holiday known as Christmas! :-)

Don't *make* me sing Christmas carols at you!

Re:Every day is Christmas in Heaven!

[Anonymous Coward]

Why, it's that's scientific holiday known as Christmas!

Newtonmas, please!

Come on, it's not even December yet...

[ThePurpleBuffalo]

I was in the mall last weekend. So was Santa. Yes, it seems that the christmas shopping season starts earlier every year. No, I no longer call it the "Christmas Season", it's now the "christmas shopping season".

Now, I see christmas gift ideas... "stocking stuffers" on Slashdot.

Yes, this is off topic.

This year, I'm doing my best not to buy anything for the chirstmas shopping season. I don't need an excuse to purchase something for my significant other. I'm not about to spend $20 on little pieces of plastic that will be tired of within a few hours for my niece.

For the past couple years, when people have asked what I wanted for Christmas/birthdays/other occasions, I have said "nothing". I have everything I *need*. I'm well educated, I have a job, and I'm in the process of getting back into physical shape. I also like to think that I have a good life and I'm happy. Do I need the latest games, toys, and distractions? No. If I needed it, I'd buy it myself.

This frustrates a fair number of people. "What do you mean you don't want anything?!? I need to get you something!" No, you don't. Save your money. One day you may need it to visit a dying loved-one. One day, you may not have a job anymore.

A friend and I have an understanding. I never buy anthing for him, he never buys anything for me. It's the only way that we don't feel like we stiffed each other. It's been working quite well for 6 years now.

Anyway, I don't really have a point. Just a collection of ideas I wanted to share. How do you people feel about the chirtmas shopping season?

Beware TPB

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[FortKnox]

The best 'present' is just to have others around. Not buying gifts and stuff, but spending the whole day with the family and having fun.

So instead of saying 'nothing', simply say 'just stop by on Christmas for a boardgame or some food'. That'll keep'm all happy :-)

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Anne_Nonymous]

It's not even "Christmas shopping season", it's just "peak retail season".

Nowadays Santa just pisses me off.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Anonymous Coward]

I couldn't agree more. People keep asking me what they should get me, and I have no idea - if I wanted it, I already own it or will buy it myself. The stuff I don't already own, but *might* like to, will eventually just become more crap after the novelty wears off.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[GoofyBoy]

>For the past couple years, when people have asked what I wanted for Christmas/birthdays/other occasions, I have said "nothing".

I used to say that. "Thank you, but I'm ok." now I just say "Pr0n. And not that crappy domestic stuff either."

They stopped asking me what I want and just send a nice card.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[mugnyte]

I can agree with you, and have tried to do similar with my family at time. However, there is a certain level of accomodation you must have for them when they've lived an entire life equating "giving a gift" with "expressing thanks/love/etc" during the holiday season. When I've run into these folks, I try to steeer them towards more and more practical ideas for gifts (mostly outdoorsy-type stuff since I like hiking). There is a limit for everything though, where you feel like you have "so much stuff" that getting more gifts defeats the purpose.

This year, I've convinced people to make a donation to a charity of their choice in my name, then mail me a card or glossy about the charity as the gift. Seems like people are really into it too.

mug

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[the_rev_matt]

I applaud you. I have (mostly) managed to convince my wife and her mom that gifts are not necessary to demonstrate our affection for one another.

I'm working on my family, slowly. I don't exchange gifts with any friends. I was under the impression that the point of Christmas was to celebrate the birth of Christ. How that translates into hordes of people spending money they don't have on things nobody wants is beyond me.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[showmeshowyoukikoman]

Not too many people will see this, I fear, but you are spot-on with this. If you're grown up and taking care of yourself (i.e. high school age or so) odds are pretty good you have or can get what you need. Same with the rest of your family.

For about seven or eight years now, my family has been sponsoring other families for Christmas. We don't get each other anything; rather, we all throw our money together and that goes to a bunch of families that need help badly.

My sister in law is a school teacher for a VERY poor area in the midwest. Some of the kids in her classes will go through a brutal chicago winter without a coat, and wearing the same clothing for several days at a time.

My brother and his wife find out what the poorest families are in dire need of, and they put together baskets of clothing, food, etc. The school principal then gets this, and distributes it anonymously. This has been working perfectly for years, and has brought a lot of joy to some families that are struggling just to survive.

This christmas, talk YOUR family into using one of the adopt-a-family services to help out those in need. Don't be greedy, help the needy! (ok, sorry, that last bit was over the top.)

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[sparrow_hawk]

I would dearly love it if *just for one day*, the entire nation could say "screw it" to capitalism and spend time with their families. Sadly, since my father is a pastor, he works both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, meaning we can't just spend one day at home together. How's *that* for backward?

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[superflippy]

Now, I see christmas gift ideas... "stocking stuffers" on Slashdot.

You've been reading Slashdot long enough you should remember that they do the Geek Gift Ideas every year. There's even a Christmas category.

Though I agree that the Xmas shopping season has gotten way out of hand. I only exchange gifts with close family, and I usually purchase those throughout the year when I see something I think they'd like, so a shopping season doesn't mean much for me.

As a matter of fact, my church observes the season of Advent in the four weeks leading up to Christmas. It's supposed to be a time of solomn reflection much like Lent. We don't even sing Christmas songs in church until Christmas Day. All the celebrating is supposed to be saved up for the twelve days after Christmas, culminating in Epiphany (Jan. 6). The way popular American culture celebrates the holiday before the holiday is kind of at odds with that.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Saeger]

I would dearly love it if *just for one day*, the entire nation could say "screw it" to capitalism

Buy Nothing Day is the day after Thanksgiving (the 28th).

Also, you might consider printing out a few of these Gift Exemption Vouchers to hand out (or mail) at xmas time so that other people might better understand how you feel about the exchange of needless consumer shit.

--

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Walter Wart]

An excellent policy.

If you want to really get back to basics (the Sun comes up, blood on the snow, everyone thankful the longest night has passed) I can't recommend Terry Pratchett's Hogfather highly enough. My wife reads it every year and has to be physically restrained from tearing down the October Christmas displays in the local stores. What he does to Santa in the Mall is a true joy to the spirit and will make you lose bladder control laughing.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Walter Wart]

I would dearly love it if *just for one day*, the entire nation could say "screw it" to capitalism and spend time with their families

Ask, and ye shall receive. AdBusters has been sponsoring "Buy Nothing Day" for years now.

It is considered such a threat to the American Way of Life(tm) that the local (Portland, OR) police turn out by the score to prevent people from celebrating it anywhere near the downtown business district. I'm serious. Riot gear, dozens of arrests, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the whole thing. Just to keep people from saying "Ditch the consumerism for twenty four hours just one day a year."

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[aardwolf204]

I too think that I have everything I *need* so when people ask me what to get and wont take nothing for an answer I tell them I'd like:

• Unlocked XP 2800 Barton with 400MHz FSB
• a stick of PC3200 DDR with a CAS latency of at least 2 and SPD timings of 6-2-2.
• epox nforce2 with raid and dual 3com nics

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[yarbo]

an unlocked Barton can use whatever speed FSB your parts can handle...

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[SeanAhern]

A friend and I have an understanding. I never buy anthing for him, he never buys anything for me.

Heck, I have that "understanding" with 99.9999998% of the people on the planet!

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Kris_J]

just stop by on Christmas for a boardgame or some food

Hey, there's a boardgame in that catelogue, thanks for the idea! :)

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Praeluceo]

I don't care to comment on the "Christmas shopping season", I feel you did a fairly good job of summing that up. What I do want to mention is my fondest childhood "Christmas shopping" memory.

My brother and I had gotten greedy, and asked for several hundred dollars worth of stuff (each) for Christmas, and we were both just little kids (not even teens yet), and so my parents decided to teach us the true meaning behind Christmas giving.

That Christmas they informed us, we weren't going to have "Christmas". The money that would have normally been spent on us that season would still be spent, but on toys for someone else. Through our Church my parents were made aware of a certain family that wouldn't be affording Christmas this year: no gifts for the children of an unemployed father. We knew their ages, and a few other things about them, and my parents sent my brother and I out with our Christmas money to buy this family gifts. We spent all of it, some $200 worth of toys, clothes, and other sundry items to brighten their holiday. We all helped wrap the gifts, and although there were many tears shed that first night we found out we had "lost our Christmas", by the end it was among the most exciting things I'd ever done.

That Christmas an entirely unaware family found a bunch of giftwrapped presents at our Church with their names on them. Because it was all co-ordinated through our pastor, the family never found out who it was that gave them the gifts, my brother and I never said a word about it.

A few weeks later a gift was given to us by our Pastor; it was a giant card that the children of the family had drawn on and signed, with a heartfelt thank-you from their parents.

Isn't that the Christmas spirit? Giving without getting anything in return? I remember a story, we call it the Christmas story, where a Man supposedly paid a great price for a bunch of folks that didn't know Him. I don't know whether you think that Jesus existed or not, but if we're going to name a holiday after Him, shouldn't we at least get the event straight?

It isn't about buying gifts for everyone you know, it isn't even just about "'tis better to give than it is to recieve". It's about a little baby's birth, and a big gift given to everyone.

Sure, you may think it's just a story. But I like my story better than the Macy's Santa Claus, and November 1st "Christmas specials". It all makes me sick, but that's what we do best isn't it? We market things. So, whether you're Christian, atheist, agnostic, Buddhist, or Confused: this holiday may land on a winter solstice, but that isn't why we give gifts. Give a gift, but make it count. Not to you, but to whomever you're giving it to.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[danila]

Buy Nothing Day is an attempt to further spread the understanding you already have. You might like to check out the site and may be use their help/ideas to promote consumption abstinence.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[riffer]

All irrelevant if you are Jewish.

Come on people, there's SIX BILLION humans on this planet. Quit thinking your religion and customs are the only ones that count.

It's admirable to give the poor a special Christmas, but then comes the quandries. Why didn't you do it during some other time of year? Why only do it during the (incorrect) birthday of Jesus? How poor is poor? Aren't you doing it because you're afraid of going to Hell, or selfishly trying to guarantee a way for yourself into Heaven?

There's a disturbing atmosphere of "one-upmanship" around all this charity bragging. Just do whatever you feel like for Christmas and stop bitching that other people don't follow your lead.

P.S.
This isn't flamebait. My father's an ordained Episcopal minister.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[Praeluceo]

All irrelevant if you are Jewish.

Come on people, there's SIX BILLION humans on this planet. Quit thinking your religion and customs are the only ones that count.


It's admirable to give the poor a special Christmas, but then comes the quandries. Why didn't you do it during some other time of year? Why only do it during the (incorrect) birthday of Jesus? How poor is poor?


Actually,
as Christmas is a big holiday where gifts are given (in the Christian world at least), that's where this comes up most readily, -and- it was on topic as per the discussion. Christianity and Christian customs aren't the only ones that count, of course, however they are the ones currently being discussed. And I see no quandries here.

I do actually give charitably year-round, not just during Christmas time. As my parents don't buy my brother and I presents year-round (as was my example) we of course don't give gifts in such large quantities year-round. We don't only do it during the celebrated (although not technical) birthday of Jesus. As an aside, President's day is mostly arbitrary as well, so are a great many of the United States' holidays, and I would presume a greater portion of other nations' holidays

I believe poor is any quality of life that is below my own, at least in the sense of who I can feel okay with helping out. If poor today happens to be someone without bus fair, I'll help them out. If tomorrow poor is someone who needs $10 for lunch or what not, then why not?

Aren't you doing it because you're afraid of going to Hell, or selfishly trying to guarantee a way for yourself into Heaven?

No, I gave that Christmas because my parents were trying to teach my brother and I a lesson, one which was well recieved by both of us: give for the sake of giving. I don't fear going to hell, and I don't believe one can "buy a ticket" into heaven. God doesn't play some silly merit/demerit game with us, if He really is God, then what good can I do to match Him? Heh, even the best I could offer is worthless to Him, I couldn't give a God who made everything, anything new. No, heaven is a gift of God's grace, assuming you believe it's there in the first place. And yes, this is a Christian and Messianic Jewish belief. Orthodox Jews still believe that they need to earn their way into heaven, because they -are- afraid of going to hell.

I can assure you that there were no selfish intents when we "gave our Christmas away" to a family that wasn't going to have one.

And lastly, I wasn't trying to promote a spirit of "one-upmanship" as you put it, I'm sorry if I came off that way. I was merely trying to show that the empasis shouldn't be on glowfish and Roomba's, but on giving. I'm not bragging on the fact that I did anything, in fact, I had no say whatsoever with regard to what we did, and if I -did- have a say, I would probably have done as most kids, and chosen to keep my presents to myself!

One of my closest friends in 3rd grade was Jewish, and I'm sure today he'd help a friend in need too. From your post you almost make it sound as though charity and thoughtfulness is irrellevant to Jewish people. I know you didn't mean this, but yeah, what -does- the day have to do with it? So what if I chose Christmas as my example, I wasn't limiting charity to that day, you were.

I'm sorry if I offended you, that honestly wasn't my goal here, I was merely ranting on the commercialization of Christmas here in the US. From the tone of your post I must've struck a nerve, so for that I apologize. However, I don't apologize for the "Hurry and get your Christmas ornaments 2 months in advance!" advertisements and the garbage we're subjected to as a pre-holiday.

Thanks for not simply flaming me and posting a mostly civil reply.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[riffer]

You didn't offend me, though I was a bit irritated by the air of your message. I was trying to point out some folks don't celebrate Christmas and could be offended by the implication that they weren't good if they did. I'm pretty sure that wasn't your intent...

My response could be considered aimed at the thread in general and not just your message.

Re:Come on, it's not even December yet...

[sparrow_hawk]

I've heard of this but forgotten about it -- many thanks!

I was thinking, however, about keeping the stores closed on Christmas, plus the churches and the bars and the movie theaters. That is, I was moaning about how my dad and I (first and last, respectively) have to work on Christmas Eve and/or Day. :)

S'pose, though, you give *useful* consumer shit? Perhaps my dad would like another pair of socks this Christmas... Actually, that's not a bad idea!

Rokenbok

[mykepredko]

I got the Rokenbok starter set about two weeks ago, had so much fun with it got the "garage kit", ordered a few other parts on "special" from the website.

Helluva fun product and something you can do with the kids as well...

myke

Re:Rokenbok

[Anonymous Coward]

That website has a pop-up. I will not order from them. (It's a shame for them I looked at their site at work rather than at home - Mozilla would have gotten them a sale.)

Pyrex Mugs Rock!

[Anonymous Coward]

Waitress! I said 400 mL NOT 480 mL!!!

Re:Pyrex Mugs Rock!

[Anonymous Coward]

Waitress! When I said 400 mL, I wanted you to measure that BELOW the meniscus!

Drinking Mug Klein Bottles

[unassimilatible]

I haven't mustered up the nerve to actually drop $80 for one of these yet, but they would definitely impress at parties!

Re:Drinking Mug Klein Bottles

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it safe to drink beer from a klein stein? It could lead to all sorts of drunken arguments an mind mussing.

my gift to sciam.com

[supernova87a]

a new web server.

Re:my gift to sciam.com

[ViolentGreen]

Post#1
Post#2

Re:my gift to sciam.com

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually the page loads fine so I think the web servers is still ticking -- but so much for the back end database!

Gotcha!

[HarveyBirdman]

Should you by accident have a girl in your life, handing her that mouse is the quickest way to get rid of her.

So give it to her right after sex, then, when she wants to "cuddle"?

Re:Gotcha!

[Chewie]

So give it to her right after sex, then, when she wants to "cuddle"?

Slow down there, professor. First, we've got to get to the sex part. Then we can figure out what to do after.

NYT gift guide

[bartash]

The New York Times has an article on techie gifts too.

Mod parent up

[ThePurpleBuffalo]

Everyone should learn how to live within their means. Yes, that means you can't have fun every waking moment. Yes, it means thinking about the future. Yes, it means planning for the worst and hoping for the best.

Hell's bells!!!

[kiwimate]

Now we've moved from not RTFA to not RTFP (post)! Did you understand the parent post? You donate to the organization, and your donation is used to buy a llama, a cow, a chicken, etc. If it's a chicken, for example, a poor family is able to raise chickens, get eggs, and generally be better off. It's nothing like those Christmas cards you buy from a charity organization -- the poster was saying you can donate in someone else's name and in return receive a nice "thank-you" type of card. You know? One of those gift-card type things? A small piece of inexpensive cardboard?

My goodness, I don't know why I'm bothering. If you couldn't even understand the original post, I don't know how I can simplify it to the point where it will make sense to you.

And it was moderated as Funny! Okay, mildly amusing to think of llamas...but don't you know this is actually a genuinely good thing? They provide for all manner of other animals, and they're actually useful and well thought-out concepts.

ARRGH!

Re:Hell's bells!!!

[Stiletto]

In the end, you are buying a piece of cardboard. Bully for you!

Re:Hell's bells!!!

[micromoog]

If you don't actually see the gift, it doesn't count? In your fictional scenario, do you stand there and watch the family eat the food after you give it to them?

Re:Hell's bells!!!

[roe1352]

Mod this post up! It serves as a good warning to all the idiots out there that while you may get away without RTFA, you must absolutely RTFP AND understand it. Have we really become so lazy that we can't even take two seconds to think before we post? Oh, wait, this is slashdot....

Re:Hell's bells!!!

[CarlDenny]

I think the point of the post you were responding to was that aid organization spend a lot (most, from what I understand) of their money on adminstration, fund raising, sending out cute little cards, etc.

Thus, you can make sure you get 100% of your money to people in need if you do it yourself, locally.

I see no lack of understanding of the situation in the post you responded to, they just don't think cutesy organizations like buy a share of a donated llama are effective. I tend to agree with them, and they certainly don't seem to have missed some subtlety in the post.

Re:Hell's bells!!!

[Mrs. Neutron]

Don't criticize the post if you don't understand the reference. (for those of you who don't know what that was all about, it's a song from a CGI video series called VeggieTales.) Given the Christian nature of both VeggieTales and Heifer International, I would expect that no offense would be taken.

Mod Parent Up

[Anonymous Coward]

I'd mod you up but I'm not a moderator. Great post.

Or "Buy Useful Things And..."

[HarveyBirdman]

"...Drive The Economy Wild And Make Her Beg For More."

Um, I think I'm mixing up two things there.

But anyway, buy practical gifts. Nothing wrong with that. Why does it have to be junk or nothing? Why always the two extremes?

I know that *I* simply cannot get enough socks.

Re:Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptio

[FortKnox]

Extremely cruel, but I can't stop laughing....

This little guy just paid for your interruption

Oh man... ROFLMFAO!

Economic Leverage Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[StefanJ]

Huh?

This is a "teach a man to fish" outfit. They buy livestock -- chicks, pigs, ducks, llamas, whatever -- for poor people. Instead of getting a few meals, they become part of the local economy, becoming producers of meat, fur, eggs, milk, wool, etc.

It's a better deal than just buying food.

And nothing stops you from donating to Heifer (or similar outfits) AND donating to a local food bank.

I did both this year.

Stefan

Re:Economic Leverage Re:Give the gift of llamas!

[Anonymous Coward]

You know what they say...

Give a man a fish and he'll eat it; teach a man to fish and he'll deplete your fisheries and fill the ocean with trash.

das kleinbongen?

[StandardDeviant]

No no no no! "Tobacco Pipe"! It's a very important nomenclature distinction!

;^)

American Science & Surplus

[StefanJ]

This outfit sells an amazing variety of stuff, ranging from surplus crap to scientific instruments:

http://www.sciplus.com/

The item descriptions are a lot of fun to read as well.

Buy a DVD!

[Pope]

Look Around You

For all those with a fondness for British humour, 80s TV shows, and jokes about the biggest number, this one's for you.

Swarovski

[Elgon]

The only Swarovski crystal accessory I want comes gift wrapped in a 30mm tube, perfect for pointing rifles at distant targets very accurately!

Elgon

Re:Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptio

[Anonymous Coward]

This deserves an entry in the "megaloganiac how-to".

Very creative, and evil. You get a 10.

Testing

[Anonymous Coward]

Just testing. mobile web. Please ignore this.

"Water powered?"

[fiannaFailMan]

This sort of thing drives me crazy:

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and run your car on water? Yes, you heard right! Welcome to the 21st century, where many believe that fuel cells, which produce only water as a byproduct, are the next wave of environmentally sound energy sources for motor vehicles.

Why oh why oh why oh why can people not get it into their heads that fuel cells are a means of storing energy that has to come from some electrolysis process that will have its own by-products besides water? It's like people who talk about "steam power" when they really mean "coal power."

Grrrrrrrr!

Re:"Water powered?"

[harborpirate]

Electrolysis is powered by (duh) electricity. Basically, running power through two oppositely charged rods in water cases hydrogen to separate from oxygen. Thats really a dumbed down explaination, but it'll suffice and you already knew that anyway.

Your point is "where does the electricity come from, and isn't that pollution the same or worse anyway?"

There are non-polluting sources of electricity. Water (dams), wind, and (coming soon) wave power don't produce much power, but they're very clean.

And don't forget about nuclear power. Yes, it does produce nasty radioactive substances as a by-product, however, these substances do not pollute the air.

Not to mention that coal burning plants with strict environmental controls are far less polluting that the millions of equivalent cars, each burning gasoline themselves.

So yes, fuel cells in cars is a more environmentally sound means of propulsion. Some journalists may be dumb, but in this case they're still correct.

Re:"Water powered?"

[Abcd1234]

And why oh why can't you understand that that doesn't change the fact that fuel cells are still more environmentally sound, and still only produce water as a by-product? They're more environmentally sound because it centralizes power production, meaning it's generated at large scales, rather than all these mini powerplants we have now. And, funny enough, most power generation methods work more efficiently on larger scales. And more efficiency == more environmentally friendly.

So, while yes, it's useful for people to understand that fuel cells shift the load of power generation, rather than solving the problem, that doesn't change the fact that it's still a far better solution for powering cars than burning hydrocarbons. As such, it's an important, but minor detail, when trying to sell the technology to the masses.

Re:"Water powered?"

[Anonymous Coward]

Building the fuel cells and providing them with fuel will create bad byproducts, that's true. However, the fact that those byproducts can be controlled easier than things like coal smoke makes them an improvement. Instead of having to control the emissions of hundreds of millions of vehicles, which will now only produce water, they only need to control the emissions of the plants that produce the fuel cells and the fuel for those cells. Much easier to do when you plan from the start too, rather than trying to upgrade 50 year old equipment and facilities.

Re:"Water powered?"

[fiannaFailMan]

All excellent points that I was already aware of and nowhere did I say that the hydrogen economy would not see a reduction in pollution. I'm all in favour of seeing a reduction in pollution overall and moving what little there is to somewhere outside the city.

My point, albeit a pedantic one, was that the original source of the power is not 'water' as the wording of the article stated.

Noone wants to look like a cheapskate

[Anonymous Coward]

If you had a girlfriend, you wouldn't be asking this question :) Sure she might say that she doesn't want to participate in this orgy of consumerism, but you are sure to hear about it next time you have fight.

WP

Re:Buy Nothing Day is legitimate option-if not fun

[yosemite]

Why would that comment be modded as Troll? Besides the fact that it expresses an opinion contrary to to the views of the moderator and majority.

I think computer users/nerds, above all others, seem to get sucked into the mindset of buying the newest, shiniest gadgets, often only to throw them away in a couple years. I am not saying that I am completely above a consumer lifestyle, especially when it comes to new hardware ;) , but I think there is some truth in the calls to restrain the rampant buying of crap.

The desire to buy things that one does not need is often manufactured...

it's been like that for a while now

[WormholeFiend]

Xmas season starts as soon as stores take out the Halloween stuff off of their shelves, to replace them with Xmas seasonal shiat.

OT: Tech jobs in Miami

[Anonymous Coward]

FIU's hiring. The pay isn't great, but there it is. The links are on the website, but for more jobs call FIU and ask for IRM, UTS, or SCS.

Anyone else sick of this nonsense?

[gz718]

Wired did this recently and used up about half the magazine. This is not why I subscribe. I want long, informative articles on new trends, research, and innovative people; not a rehashing of the latest Hammacher Schlemmer catalog.

Forget the Swarovski mouse

[cgenman]

The woman in your life would really like one of these.

Re:Forget the Swarovski mouse

[Chris Tucker]

I have one. I quite like it.

Aside from being a darn good mouse, it's also a striking piece of desktop sculpture/art.

Despite what it says on the website, it is also compatible with Mac OS 8.5 through 9.2.2, even on older Macs with a USB port card in a PCI slot.

For OS 8.5 and 8.6. you do need to download some extra software from Apple, Apple USB Card Support 1.4.1 and GameSprockets 1.7.5.

Both can be found HERE .

And you really want to get USB Overdrive. Seriously, if you're on a Mac with USB and want to use a multibutton optic mouse, USB Overdrive is the killer app for you.

USB Overdrive can be found HERE.

What about non-geek gifts?

[kavau]

Come on, how hard is it to come up with a list of cool gadgets that we would like to see lying under OUR christmas tree? That's the easy part! The hard part is to find all these NON-GEEK gifts for our non-geek friends or significant others...

I, for one, have to torment myself every year in order to come up with something remotely thoughtful...

What is the Slashdot crowd planning to get for the non-geek people in their lives?

Christmas shopping season starts the same time!

[Gorimek]

People have been complaining for at least 50 years that christmas shopping season starts earlier every year. If that was true, it would be back in at least September by now. Truth is, it still starts in mid November, like it always has.

The fact that people perceive it as starting earlier is pretty interesting. I read an article about it once, but I can't find it on the net in 5 minutes, so I'll just claim it emphatically for now!

Re:Christmas shopping season starts the same time!

[bobroberts]

Have to disagree with you on that one. All our local big box stores (Walmart, Target, Lowes, etc.) had all their xmas crap out starting in mid October this year. It's like a chain reaction; one of them starts it, and then all the others jump in so they don't miss the boat.

Re:Christmas shopping season starts the same time!

[JoJo's883]

I beg to differ. Being probably a bit older than the typical /.er and having a father who has been in retail forever, I have a bit different recollection. It was at one time traditional for all the stores to spend Thanksgiving day and thru the night setting up the displays and merchandise for the Christmas shopping season. That is more or less what started the tradition of the day after Thanksgiving being the busiest shopping day of the year. All the new Holiday items were out and ready to be snapped up by discriminating buyers. ;-)

You have no clue.

[Anonymous Coward]

The perfect gift would be India being carpet bombed with EMP bombs.

Re:You have no clue.

[plinius]

India is not really at fault. American companies who have no loyalty or sense of responsibility are.

Re:Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptio

[bobroberts]

You, sir, are a BOFH. Bravo!

Check here for other tech deals on sale/special

[Grant29]

[shamless plug] Check out other electronics and computer deals at Retail Retreat

I try to keep the content fresh daily. Thanks for taking a look!

Re:Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptio

[wowbagger]

" You, sir, are a BOFH. Bravo!"

No, a TRUE BOFH would not use a wimpy 9 volt battery on shrimp.

A true BOFH would use a 9000 volt cattleprod on the luser interrupting him.

A spammer

[wowbagger]

I want a spammer for Christmas.

And some soundproofing foam.

I already have the duct tape, the soldering iron, the needlenose pliers, and the wallplug ending in bare wires.

Re:A spammer

[Daniel_Staal]

Oh, come on. Be festive! Put him on top of the tree. (Be sure to sharpen the tree first.)

Re:A spammer

[wowbagger]

What - you think I want to look at a spammer all the time? Sheesh!

I want him in his hole, where he belongs!

Re:A spammer

[Anonymous Coward]

Good,
now all you need is:
some sandpaper
a papertowel tube
2 feral rats
and a chansaw!

/. sciam!

[Anonymous Coward]

you slashdotted scientific american!

YOU BASTARDS!
--

Plush microbes

[M. Silver]

The amusement value for these would be better if they had more variety in diseases, but still, the Maladies selection isn't bad for gifts. A shame they don't come individually; I can think of a lot of people I could give ulcers to, but not too many I'd want to give Kissing Disease to...

Re:Plush microbes

[docholid]

Try http://www.giantmicrobes.com/

Welcome to George Bush's America

[revscat]

Where it's me me me, taxation is theft, war is peace, helping the poor hurts the poor, Jesus is coming Real Soon Now(tm), and right wing propaganda reigns the landscape.

Sure those tax cuts will create jobs! IN INDIA! MOOOOOHAHAHAHAAHAHA!

Bush can do no wrong! Long live the democratically elected leader of We The People!

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[ifwm]

Strange that so many of the professional economists credit the improving economy to the tax cuts. How does this fit into your rant?

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[revscat]

Strange that so many of the professional economists credit the improving economy to the tax cuts. How does this fit into your rant?

You know how on fighter jets the pilot can turn on the afterburners to get a temporary boost in speed? Those are the tax cuts. Thing is, you burn up fuel faster, and only buy yourself a temporary reprieve. You still have to worry about gravity, or forces which counter your thrust; in this case, that's the huge ($500 billion) trade deficit, the huge budget deficit, increased interest payments, and the shifting of real wealth overseas via jobs. The Fed can only do so much; interest rates are already at historic lows, and going lower will probably not help the economy much. Average wages (taking out the top 1% of wage earners) have gone down, adding to the loss of real wealth in the US.

Sure, we could have bought outselves some time. And the vagarities of international finance are difficult to interpret and impossible to predict. But the financial situation of the US, and many developed western nations, is increasingly shaky. Bush's wreckless -- indeed, destructive -- policies have done nothing to better the financial health of the nation.

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[ifwm]

You didn't answer my question. PROFESSIONAL economists who don't have an axe to grind seem to think the economy is improving, and instead of addressing that, you site specious arguments. Hiding behind poor analogies doesn't change one fact, consensus among REAL economists (not slashdot readers with an axe to grind) seems to be that the economy is improving. You don't refute that, you don't explain it, and you attempt to dismiss it by saying "well that's gonna change you just wait and see, trust me on this one." Clearly you're a partisan who isn't interested in facts, only rhetoric. One last thing, you site "destructive policies." Would those be the same policies that have shown an increase in consumer confidence, new construction, a decrease in jobless claims, and no increase in inflation? I would hate to see your idea of constructive.

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[Anonymous Coward]

Raising taxes isn't the answer. Cutting spending is.

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[revscat]

You didn't answer my question. PROFESSIONAL economists who don't have an axe to grind seem to think the economy is improving, and instead of addressing that, you site specious arguments.

a) Professional economists rarely agree on anything, b) read this. It's from that rabidly socialist commie axe-to-grind newsmag the Economist, and even THEY think American fiscal policy has some issues that have not been addressed by the administration. These issues cannot be ignored without consequences. You must pay the piper eventually.

Interesting quote:

In their most recent poll, members of the National Association of Business Economists described the federal deficit as the biggest problem facing America's economy. A bipartisan coalition of three economic think-tanks--the Committee for Economic Development, the Concord Coalition and the Centre on Budget and Policy Priorities--recently declared that, without a change in course, the next decade might be the "most fiscally irresponsible" in the country's history.

Look man, despite what you seem to think, people can wish for the same goal -- a healthy, robust American economy -- and differ about how best to pursue that goal. This does not mean they have "an axe to grind". The Bush administration is not removed from criticism, and trying to defend it against any and all criticism, however justified that criticism might be, just winds up hurting both the President and the country as a whole.

Re:Welcome to George Bush's America

[ifwm]

The reason it appears that you have an axe to grind is that in the face of convincing evidence, and a consensus among an unusually large number of economists you fail to cite any of the improvements that the tax cut is credited with causing. How else should one interpret that? And by the way, you still haven't addressed that point. Just admit it, and I'll concede all of your other points. That being said, I don't agree with Bush's economic policies, and think they are dangerous, although probably for reasons different from your own. I didn't vote for Bush, he's not a very good president in my opinion, but he gave me MY money back, when the alternative was to keep it and waste most of it. Seems fairly simple to me. One last thing, to address a point brought up earlier, I don't care about jobs going overseas. If you happen to choose to work in an industry with jobs that can be exported, you have no one to blame but yourself. You can always start your own business, which is still a viable option in the US.

i have an uber troll question but...

[ThomasFlip]

Is scientific america feeling the effects of being slashdotted ?

Free of charge

[scavenger87]

...geek stocking stuffers.... Umhm, I know some geek trouser stuffers every of you could give a try http://www.autopr0n.com

My Birthday

[Acidic_Diarrhea]

Let's not forget that in addition to Christmas and Kwanzaa, we've got my birthday coming up. This is an important celebration that we should not forget. And don't go cheap on me - this list of $25 and less items is unacceptable. Spend some damn money on me! You can't take it with you!

Don't really care what I get so much but...

[phorm]

All in all, what I get doesn't matter too much. I mean, I probably have one of the bigger budgets in the family, so without Xmas my money would have probably just gone to getting stuff I wanted anyways.

However, Christmas is one of the few times my family (distributed around the province) generally all get together, and thus the only time we have to give everyone gifts. There's also a challenge in finding things that will be a geniunely nice surprise for those I'm shopping for.

Yes, for the stores I'm sure it's about money money money, but that doesn't mean it has to be like that for me. The other thing to consider is Xmas employment, while for some businesses it's about major profits, for others it's about breaking even, or at least making the business worthwhile. The shopping season keeps a lot of people employed, as it is often the making/breaking point for many smaller businesses.

Wired's geek gifts

[hurtstotouchfire]

Wired (note that they haven't released this article on the ent yet, and won't till Dec 1) had some decent gifts on theirs, including a ridiculously exciting child's DNA set wherein you can whip up and draw out the DNA of just about anything. It comes with dried peas or something, but I'm sure we could all be a bit more creative than that.

Note to PKD fans: this site contains a slightly disconcerting article about the latest book to movie Paycheck, featuring Uma Thurman and Ben Affleck (or something).

Worth its weight in gold

[mackman]

Just have it glow red the moment SCO puts out a new press release. Buy SCO. Have it glow red the moment IBM puts out a new press release. Sell SCO. Stop bitching about pump-n-dump and start making money instead.

Re:Worth its weight in gold

[Anonymous Coward]

wait..isn't that backwards? Wouldn't you want to buy SCO right after IBM releases something and it's cheap, then sell it after SCO does something and the value is up?

Much geekier than the pyrex beaker mug

[karlandtanya]

Klein Bottle Coffee Mug

very tasteful

[notoriousE]

give your zombie programmer with a deadline some chocolate brains... mmmmm brains... goooood

The telescope is a waste of money

[aiabx]

When you take a telescope with a price that low, and subtract the cost of the electronics, you aren't leaving much to spend on quality optics. So you get a crappy view. Better to save your money for a 6" dobsonian reflector, or a good pair of binoculars. Or be prepared to spend a lot more money for a good computer-guided telescope.
-aiabx

What a great scientific article!!!

[frank_adrian314159]

My kudos to Scientific American for this ground-breaking bit of science writing. GOd knows who would want to think about molecular biology or astrophysics when there's shopping to be done!

Sigh... I remember when Scientific American actually carried articles about science rather than consumption. Nice meaty ones, too, with pictures of molecules and stars and everything. Of course, you can say the same thing about Communications of the ACM and IEEE Spectrum, too. Of course, that was back in the 60's & early 70's. I guess they've been growing people a lot dumber since then. Gotta spend the money on eye-candy and dumbed-down writing or the stupid won't buy/read.

Sharper Image selling The Simpsons: Pinball Party

[bee]

If you want a real geek toy, then get a real live pinball machine from The Sharper Image:

http://www.sharperimage.com/us/en/catalog/produc tv iew.jhtml?pid=56605000&pcatid=2&catid=201

Only $4,995 for The Simpsons: Pinball Party!

Polyhedra

[Rhombitruncated Cubo]

die-cast models (easy!)

snap-together models (less easy!)

TiVo to hack (or at least Hacking TiVo book!)

[jkeegan]

Nah, the coolest tech gift has still got to be a TiVo to hack.

The problem is, TiVo is such a cool toy that your gift will go unhacked as he/she enjoys the joy of TiVo. So to remind them what they can do, be sure to get them a copy of Hacking TiVo. :)

Of course if you don't want to go giving a gift that large, you can always just give the book. :)

New Link!

[Anonymous Coward]

Looks like they're trying to take the load off of their Cold Fusion server by serving plain HTML. The link I was redirected to is http://www.sciam.com/giftguide_1.html. Can someone add this link to my original article?

The page is still very slow. Perhaps this will get them to clean the junk off their pages, it's getting to look like a spam site.

Rick DeBay

Re:Sea monkeys make a nice deterrent to interuptio

[Anonymous Coward]

not sadistic enough. Shocking innocent shrimp for the transgressions of someone else is much more disturbing on many levels.

Eco-Sphere Experiences

[mackman]

After reading the article I stopped by Brookstone and picked up one of the Eco-Spheres after work. It a little lackluster given the price, but it's really fascinating. 4 little 1/2 inch shrimps running around in a little glass sphere muching on green algae. They're supposed to live 2-5 years and there's a small change they will reproduce. Basically its the pet for people who can't even keep plants alive (yep, that's me).

It's that time again...

[rthille]

Time to slashdot Cliff Stoll
http://www.kleinbottle.com/ :-)

A chatbot is...

[stoborrobots]

... something like this.