@infi: Yeah I've seen the HP out in the wild and they are pretty nice but I just can't swing $400 at it unless handing out cash instead of gift cards for christmas becomes popular this year. I really hate how the market for these things are. I've had a crappy CRT for 15 years and then got a generic LCD that only…

I would love to only use my bedroom for sleeping, but sadly I'm in a three-room apartment (two bedrooms, and a generic living area w/kitchen) and there isn't space for me to put my desk and computers in the other room.

@infi: I happen to be looking for a new monitor. If you can tell me where to find a 24" IPS for $210 please share.

The only thing on my laptop besides a few games that is not on the internet is Microsoft Office. Google docs just doesn't cut it for me. Other than that? Sure.

@hbflyte: I wouldn't mind if it was only used by hacker types, sysadmins, and other such power users. Facebook is too consumery.. I want the linux philosophies involved with a social networking structure as well as an operating system.

@Moin Nam: Pogoplug, $50 or so. I set up a web server on it, I'm sure I can get a diaspora seed to work on it, too.

I bought a new TV recently from Best Buy but I also stopped off at walmart. Both stores let me put in my own DVDs of my favorite movies as well as another DVD of some still images I burned. Both retailers let me muck around with the settings on the TVs. However, Best Buy keeps their TVs in a sort of cave area and…

@Phatric: I'm a power user and I bring a spare battery. my laptop regularly gets 9 hours on the battery anyways. CULV ftw.

@Splendid: i am forced to agree with you.

I'd like to see what he does on one of these

@Polebull: no, [minecraft.net] is what happens to all those people who couldn't get enough of Lego.

@Llew: It looked like the robots only handled welding and painting. Most of that was humans using heavy machinery to manipulate even heavier parts into the car.

@TheAncient: Enlighten me. Which biologists are doing research in space?

@DanielJ: and do it backwards and sideways, too!

How about you add carriers in the mix for us americans who aren't allowed to bring any phone onto any network simply because we "paid for it?"

@cyber_saliva: Maybe you don't live in the US, but a lot of people over here are really desperate for a job. You can't 'just find another one' these days. The reason the unemployment rate is so high is because people can't 'just find another one,' not because they fall out of the sky like magic for everyone to enjoy.

@daytripper1: shoulda just linked to a torrent for that one.

My mom's a professional artist.. she does not and will not go digital. Do any other 'classic' artists around know what you would want for Christmas this year? She does a lot of pen/ink and pencil work but also large-scale painting on sets for plays and such.

Maybe you wouldn't buy someone a DS, but a DS card like the R4 or an Acekard wouldn't be out of the question. Just make sure you buy one that is compatible with their model of DS.

@metronome49: It is, but then again it's $.99 I didn't spend on something I didn't like and can then spend on something I do like.