@shueybalooey: I did exactly what you suggested for a couple of years. I told other people to do it. I was WRONG. Last year I had an emergency appendectomy, was hospitalized for 3 days, had to return because of a staph infection, on and on. Bottom line: When all was said and done, I had $131,000 (!) in medical bills.…

VOTE: Dreamhost

No question about it: flavors.me ... However, magntize.com could be a player if their premium accounts were not so ridiculously expensive. flavors.me is $20 a year (premium). magntize.com is $108 a year for premium. So, if magntize continues with a ridiculous business model (for a less cool service), the clear answer…

VOTE: Roboform

VOTE: Magic DVD Ripper

I'm a little surprised nobody has mentioned it...but the ease of sharing files across computers (or with the world) is extremely simple with the POGOPLUG. One-time $129 fee for the device and you're sharing with such simplicity. The new Version2 Pogoplug has multiple USB ports. Plug in any USB drive(s) and sync your…

I use WP for all my sites, but I know it's not for everyone. Casual bloggers who don't want to mess with updating, etc. may have good luck with TypePad, which has REALLY grown into something much nicer than just a year ago. I was shocked to find out one of my favorite blogs (The Happiness Project) just had a re-design…

@TheOtherHalf: With OneNote, the key is the ultra-impressive "search" which at lightning speed finds any word - even handwritten if inserted as an image. OneNote is nothing short of incredible. The organization is actually superb as it allows you to organize how YOU like to; and then that "search" allows you to find…

That is great! Secret passageways have always intrigued me. Remember in 'The Ghost & Mr. Chicken' when Luther throws the book up against the bookcase and hits just the "right spot" and it swings open to reveal the hidden staircase? I've been fascinated with the idea ever since.

@just_laze: What an ignorant and sexist thing to write. If it was only named The Macho Replicator, you'd take a look, huh?. I've been using several of Karen's apps for years - Replicator is a great tool.

@jkrell: Why not image your system drive so that a "fresh install" simply means taking just 2-3 minutes to slap on your "good" image?

@Navin R Johnson: Thats exactly what I do. I also have a copy of my personalized "local page" sitting in my [box.net] account for those rare times when I'm away from my own laptop or don't have my thumbdrive with me - which is very rare.

@paintbox: Exactly. Q10 is totally portable and I have mine on a USB stick, with the .txt files it creates backed up online. The alternatives, as you said, all require Java, .NET, AIR, etc. Gotta love those portable apps! Especially when they're as great as Q10.

@four12: I had forgotten about this tool. It's a great online alternative to Q10, WriteRoom, etc. creating the same distraction-free environment. Bookmarked!

@roachfiend: I agree as well. Q10 beats them all.

I have a tiny, TINY Sandisk MobileMate Micro Reader. I've used it a lot and it works great. I tried a couple of these cheapie $2 things I found on the web and they were so cheap (as in cheapo merchandise)that they didn't last but for a few days. This is a durable, small reader of MicroSDHC, MicroSD and M2.

LibraryThing and GoodReads are both miles ahead of Bookarmy, but I wish them the best.

@Zadamw:

I have gone Backblaze and haven't looked back. High-quality encryption protocol done right and super service. No more Carbonite for me. (I also HATE the way they sponsor rightwing radio.)

@silver-bolt: