Christmas Gifts for Geeks

scottfi writes "The shopping season is just about over and I'm always on the lookout for the cool geek gadget to get friends and family (or myself). What cool items are on your list this year or you have wrapped up for others? There are a ton of gift guides online, but I always like to see what the slashdot crowd would like under their tree." I recommend the Harmony Remote, an iPod, and of course a Slashdot Subscription ;)

Comments

Tux 'free beer' baseball caps

[pants1973]

Not to toot my own horn -- ok, may I am tooting my own horn, but I've created a bunch of Linux/Tux the penguin 'free beer' baseball caps at linuxitch.com, my currently pathetic web site. The hats are good quality, light-weight, have an adjustable strap in the back and are available in quantity discounts.
Also, I'm donating a portion of the profits to The Linux Show so if anyone's interested in a cool Linux/open source/techcy gift and helping out a great cause, head on over to linuxitch.com.
Thank you for your support.

as I read

[jago25_98]

after noting "and of course a Slashdot Subscription"
he scrolls up slowly, who would post this?
an act of loyalty, who could it be?
- he scrolls up-
Perhaps it's Mr Jobs as a sign of gratitude...

ah.... Mr Taco :)

Re:Tipping

[nelsonal]

Tips arouse because it's cheaper and easier for customers to evaluate the service recieved. Employers could send secret diners, and constantly moniter service levels, but that is pretty pricy. As a result most of the wage is paid by the diner directly, tipping is payment of the remainder of the wage, realize that a small tip probably brings them up to minimum wage, (ok for poor service) but only an incompetent server (even McDondald's pays minimum wage did you recieve that level of service) should get no tip. Good service should get a good tip, that rewards those who provide excellent service.

Re:Tipping

[cayenne8]

Its part of the price. If you can afford the drink/food AND the appropriate tip...then, you shouldn't be going out...or go to a less expensive place.

Re:Tipping

[Some Bitch]

You do your job well no matter how hard it might be for you, or you aren't going to survive on your wages and tips. It's the same principle as, say, every other job in the world.

That is SO wrong! Serving staff depend SOLELY on their tips to live! They pretty much get taxed their entire pay ($2.19/hr) as the government takes 8% of their total sales in tax anyway.

Imagine you are out for a meal, 4 of you and the service is ok, nothing special but still ok. If you do not tip that server they have literally worked for NOTHING!

Example: 6 people occupy a table for 2 hours and spend $150. They leave no tip but the government is going to tax that server 8% anyway. So, the server is paying $12 in tax yet has only been paid $4.38 so they have effectively paid over $7.50 for the priviledge of waiting on your tight fisted ass!

Do you see why in a tipping culture you MUST tip? Either that or join the UK and don't have a culture that tips but where serving staff are paid 4 times as much.

And if you want to see just how annoying this is check out this site. Feel the love ;)

Re:Tipping

[cayenne8]

Actually, I find most people ARE comfortable with giving out tips. It is the way food service in the US works...period.

15% is the price for normal service. Extra is for extra good service.

And just from old experience...after doing it awhile, you can pretty easily start to figure out who out there is the NON-tipper or poor tipper. And it should come at no surprise that if you have a number of tables and one you know for sure is a loser for tips, you're not going to go overboard with them, and spend a little extra time on tables you know will pay you well.