but people aren't all the same size.. what would be a foot by your measurements would be a different sized foot to someone else

We are NOT talking about the sockets.. we're talking about the DRIVE (IE> 1/4" Ratchet, 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 1.5" etc)
Hence why the original poster said SOCKET DRIVES not sockets themselves (and even said they purchased both SAE and Metric socket sets)

but then you also have issues of say a 2x4, which is neither 2" nor 4". Same with a 1x6, 2x6, etc. They average something like 1.5 to 1.75 by roughly 2.5" anymore

Unless you had meant in Europe, in which case ignore my post :)

Oh are they now?

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/catalog1.asp?tool=hand&Cat_ID=629030&Cat_NAME=Ratchets&store=snapon-store

If you'd find one, Snap On would be the place.. yet there's none there except a 11mm internal hex drive

"It would be great if we could get road signs to be switched over to dual units. E.g., congress could pass a law saying that on the interstate system, any time an old sign is replaced with a new one, it has to have dual units."

If I recall correctly, they tried this in the past (the 70's?) and for whatever reason switched it back to just MPH

Hell now either Charlie Sheen wasn't too far off with his tiger blood or he'll have a new animal to freak out about...

Galaxy Note line of "phones"/tablets have an awesome pen

Ignore my prior post, I failed to see the humor in it at first and thought it was suppose to be an actual "factual" post

The iPad doesn't solve the issues listed. Off-line navigation integrated, swype, etc

I second this!

I'm using an old Acer Aspire T100 or something another along those lines I put Lubuntu onto. I have Twonky and Plex Media Server running on it (started with Twonky, but I love the Plex interface on devices and never bothered to remove the Twonky).

It streams to my Dish Hopper/Joey setup, as well as the Android and iOS devices and Rokus. The client application looks, works, and feels like the Netflix app. It's pretty damn sweet. (Granted I think it may cost a nominal amount for the mobile devices to purchase the app).

I know on the mobile devices and Roku it allows you to set a streaming bandwidth should you need to say cut down the speed for over wireless links etc. I've only had to do this for the one access point I have way down at our "camp ground" because that AP is in a client bridge to another wireless router, that then plugs into another wireless router that does a WDS link to the main wireless router that has the internet connection (don't ask, long story and involves two house holds lol).

As for the Dish Hopper/Joey, the setup there plays MKV's fine but for whatever reason doesn't play MP4's. I know older versions of Plex would transcode, and I think the newer version can be made to do so although I haven't got that figured out yet (nor bothered with it much as I just use handbrake to convert the videos).

Also, both Twonky and Plex will stream music, and if you use Plex on a Windows box you can add in other "plug-ins" to do such options as Netflix and what not (I believe it only plays the movies you add to your instant queue though). Again, since mine is on a Linux box and doesn't support SilverLight, I can't utilize this feature... and no MoonLight doesn't work as it doesn't support the special features Netflix uses. Pretty much if you can play it natively, then the Plex plugins will work as well.

All in all I have to give both a good thumbs up as free (or mostly free) options to do most of what you're looking to do.

The Philips led outdoes the cfls I've used except the 75w (or was it 100.. I forget now as I got it for free from the power company) GE cfl.

The Philips goofy looking led puts out an great color of light and it's bright too for what it is. I had picked mine up from home depot for around $35

Not sure about the OEM's, but I know after market brands use the 434Mhz band for some of their remotes, I believe mostly in AM mode though.. but 315Mhz is an option as well (maybe that's where those OEM remotes used?)

Incorrect.. sticking the key in the door cylinder will disarm the alarm (a few.. VERY few.. require you to insert the key into the ignition and turn it on to disable the alarm).

I worked in that field for over 12 years doing alarms, remote starts, etc so I had very hands on experience and knowledge with this stuff