Uber Geeks Holiday Gift Guide 181
Johann Ramirez sent us
Hardware Extreme's Christmas Wishlist which has tons of lust worthy objects that you have seen on Slashdot in the past, and several more that will make you feel strange things in your loins that might be unhealthy in the context of electronics. I want me
a head mounted monitor and this wall mounted stereo santa!
More resources. (Score:2, Interesting)
all I want for christmas (Score:1, Flamebait)
Re: (Score:2, Informative)
Re:all I want for christmas (Score:2, Funny)
*snap*
Panasonic Plasma Display
Zeno
Re:all I want for christmas (Score:2)
I haven't poked with XP much, i've been too busy with my slack box.
I commend you for helping anotherlinux user get used to this unstable windows thing.
How about some real presents... (Score:5, Insightful)
...jobs for my friends out of work!
Re:How about some real presents... (Score:2)
-Legion
Re:How about some real presents... (Score:2)
Re:How about some real presents... (Score:1)
Who'd want that Nakamichi stereo? (Score:4, Informative)
ok, moneybags. (Score:2)
What would be nice is a slim-profile (wall-mountable == good) stereo that doesn't cost both arms and legs and also have the silly design that Nakamichi does.
If I hang a stereo on the wall, I'm not going to want to feed discs in from the top and grope around the top edge for the play button.
Who'd want a B&O? (Score:2)
Because everyone knows, Bose RULES!
I carry mine around on my shoulder like a boom-box. [afrosquad.com] Aww yeah.
Re:Who'd want a B&O? (Score:2)
A direct link (Score:1)
directly to the said stereo
A must-notice for nerds: they run php...
Re:Who'd want that Nakamichi stereo? (Score:2)
My Problem... (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
Re:My Problem... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:My Problem... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:My Problem... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
That doesn't make you cool, that makes you laughable.
Re:My Problem... (Score:5, Interesting)
But that's an absurd wishlist, and it's not the one I tell people about when they ask me for gift hints. That one's real short, and is full of things that cost five or ten bucks.
The trick is to know your audience.
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
I know the feeling, man. All I've been asking for is a girlfriend, and everyone just laughs at me. I mean, hey, love is cheap, right?
IceHouse
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
A good looking young lad could make $3000 before christmas no problem.
Re:My Problem... (Score:2)
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
Re:My Problem... (Score:1)
Extreme? (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Extreme? (Score:2, Insightful)
800x600 head mounted display at least! (Score:3, Informative)
The manufacturer's page is:
[personaldisplay.com]
http://www.personaldisplay.com/english/f_whatis
At $1000, it's pretty reasonable!
Santa, I want one
Re:800x600 head mounted display at least! (Score:1)
I hacked one of mine into a monocle, and left the other intact. Hacking into a monocle as many, including myself, have done is easy. (I have instructions on www.melmcgee.com)
Do you really think more junk will make you happy? (Score:4, Insightful)
So instead of asking for yet another slab of transistors and cathode-ray tubes this holiday season, ask for something that will last, something that will make you feel happy inside as a person. Ask a loved one to give money to your favorite charity in your name (if you read Slashdot, you've been planning on making a donation to the EFF [eff.org] anyway, right? No excuse not to do it now, and you'll get to be cool like Wil Wheaton!). Or better yet, don't tell anyone what you want for Christmas, and then see what they get you, because those gifts are the sort that require true thought on the part of the giver, and it's the thought that counts in the end, right?
Please try to raise yourself above the primal materialism that runs rampant this time of year, and remember what the season is all about. While you may not get the l33t357 b0x, you'll be happier in the long run.
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
(amd k6-2 350)
and I'm fine and happy with it.
I got my ATI-AIW last year for christmas, and I'm fine and happy with it.
The good it's done?
jobs?
learning?
when I was 15/16 I didn't have a good enough job to buy those kinds of things.
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
/Janne
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
Think of those less fortunate. I want to add 800MHz to my 200MHz processor, which is a bit more reasonable. And that would make me feel happy inside as a person.
Less flicker would certainly make me happy. (Score:2)
Flat-screen monitors don't have flicker.
This is one *hell* of a useful improvement, especially for those of us who *have* to sit in front of a monitor all day.
Saving the desk real-estate of a CRT would be nice too.
Re:Less flicker would certainly make me happy. (Score:1)
I read the original post as meaning LCD (flat-panel) monitors.
Serves me right for reading at 2am. My bad.
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
That we as a culture are so shallow to think that adding a paltry 50MHz to our gigahertz+ processors... will somehow make us happy is the tragedy of the modern age.
I completely agree... if Santa doesn't bring me something that's at least 200MHz faster, I'm going to be pissed!
Re: We did this and we're happy . . . (Score:5, Insightful)
Then we made a nice Christmas card with color photos of Afghanistan refugees receiving food relief, including one bearded guy with a sack of USA wheat on his back that sweetly reminded us of Santa. We explained our decision in the card, including the total amount of our contributions - not to brag about it, but so that it would be clear this was not just our cheap attempt to blow off gift-giving. We asked that the recipients consider making similar donations in lieu of their usual Christmas gifts to us. The cards went out Thanksgiving weekend.
We've received no negative reactions, and many positive ones to date. It remains to be seen whether anyone will take us up on our request to donate instead of a present, but honestly we're looking forward to a Christmas tree with absolutely zero gifts under it.
Re: We did this and we're happy . . . (Score:1)
Re: We did this and we're happy . . . (Score:2)
I also notice that, although you complain that Oxfam and Unicef have "awful delivery rates," you do not suggest any better-performing organizations, which one expects you would do if you were really concerned about the percentage of food that makes it to hungry mouths. Nonetheless, your assumption that I failed to do my homework is incorrect. Many NGOs achieve high "delivery rates" by indiscriminately handing off truckloads of aid to any handy "local leader," who may or may not have the interests of his community at heart. Often, this food and medicine winds up as a life support system for local warlords terrorizing the population (case in point - Somalia) Also, NGOs who function solely as delivery networks do not help the population become self-sustaining - it takes infrastructure projects to do that. I researched and chose the organizations I felt were most consistent with these concerns.
And, if anyone but you cares, which I doubt:
car - 1996 Honda Civic CX
TV - two, both 10+ years old.
stereo "specs" - it sounds good
Living a less-privileged lifestyle than one could otherwise afford comes with its own benefits. One of them is the ability to make substantial charitable donations. Your attempt to characterize charity as selfish hedonism overlooks a simple fact: if the "hugely privileged" do not provide the necessary assistance to poor countries, who will? Of course, you don't care about your illogic, because you're against the whole concept of privileged nations and people helping the less fortunate. Myself, I prefer the approach advocated by John F. Kennedy over 40 years ago:
To those people in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help themselves, for whatever period is required; not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
The abandonment of Kennedy's pledge by the US is in part responsible for the sociopolitical climate that feeds modern global terrorism and tyranny, as exemplified by the Taliban/bin Laden. No, I am not excusing them - regardless of how they became what they are, they are heinous murderers and they should all be executed. However, cleansing the wound of germs doesn't help if you just let it become re-infected. Looks like we failed to save more than a few who were rich on September 11. If I happen to be in the next target, I will fail to be saved no matter how many TVs I have. Yes, my freedom and happiness are enhanced by contributing to the freedom and happiness of others around the world. Only the most perverse and mean-spirited mind can characterize this sentiment as "smug."
Re: We did this and we're happy . . . (Score:1)
Re: We did this and we're happy . . . (Score:1)
I now see that you are one of those foolish college kids who believes that he/she knows more than researchers, political or social scientists, military strategists, or diplomat who have spent their whole lives studying the nation(s) to which you apply the reductionist label of "third world," simply because you packed up your little backpack and hitchhiked around "seeing things for yourself."
However, since I consider those other sources I mentioned far more reliable than you, I believe there's no point continuing the discussion.
PS - I'm posting without the bonus because this is getting substantially offtopic.)
Back on topic - A just motivation to enjoy toys... (Score:1)
In my experience there are two types of Lawyers
1) those that like to argue because it can lead to discovery
2) those that like to argue, just to be right as a power trip
Now I think I can pigenhole you raresilk. BTW was really hoping for a good fair debate leading somewhere, ah well, live and learn.
regards, Jayfang.
Oh, thank you (Score:2, Funny)
No gifts for Mithra (Score:2, Interesting)
Your charity idea is worth considering tho.
"He who possesses little is so much the less possessed... Thus spoke Zarathustra."
Thought that counts (Score:1)
But if your thought includes giving me another sweater, grams, just get me a book [amazon.com].
Because "outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." --Groucho Marx
Donate to The Human Fund! (Score:1)
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:2)
1. Think about what I may want...getting me gift certificates (I hate em, but will gladly take them) shows no thought and is a cop out. I am not THAT difficult to shop for. Hell get me a pack of socks! The washer always eats em and I can always use some new ones....
2. Don't go hog wild....unless you really want too. You don't have to spend lots on me to make me happy. Well over half the items on that list are not of much use to me. I'd rather have a new laptop (if you HAVE to spend lots on me!
3. Spend more on my kid....he needs it more then I do anyway.
That's so easy. I just wish I could tell people just get me all the things I wish I had picked up at the store or have been meaining to get but haven't (not that I couldn't...I just coudln't justify it at the moment or talked myself out of it over and over again...).
Also, what's WRONG with wanting nice stuff? Sure, I can BE HAPPY with out it. I don't have it now and I am happy, but why is it so wrong to want things? We all want things(your lying if you say you aren't.). Some want World Peace, some want Osama's head on a pike. Why is it materialistic to want? It would be different if we just wanted it to say we have it, but I know most of the slashdot readers would use alot of that list everyday! Sure, we'd throw things away, but only if we had alot of that list. Heck I wish I had not bought that stupid web cam about a year or two ago and bought the TV/radio card instead. I would have used it more. My point is just because you think you are all high and mighty because you don't succomb to the I want monster, you are lying in saying that you never want anything for Christmas or never wanted any of these things. It would be so much easier for me if the people on my list would have given me a list. Also how would you know if I would be happier if I hadn't gotten that new video card? Sure, I might be able to deal with it, but it would make me immensely happy to get that video card this year. It would save me time and make things run better on my system so I would be happier with it then without it. Sure, I can live with what I got, but I sure would like to dump this POS video card I have now.
PS My monitor is 3 years old. Same with my video card, my Ethernet card and my speakers and my ram. Only things in there that are newer then that are my CD-RW drive, my soundcard, my motherboard+CPU and my Hard Drive. I DO by stuff that lasts. I DON'T have to have the latest stuff because if I want to game, I would rather have a console to do that (XBOX or PS/2 anyone?
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
Some philosophers would argue that hedonism isn't all that bad (take Mill, for example).
And clearly, what makes some people happy in life doesn't make others, and vice versa.
Please don't assume that your point of view is the only one, or even the only valid one.
Perhaps you'll be happier once you strive to understand why others act how they do, rather than just denouncing their actions.
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
Re:Do you really think more junk will make you hap (Score:1)
You can never have enough... (Score:2, Interesting)
I turn 36 on xmas eve and am hoping my wife has caught onto my countless hints for Lego Mindstorms.
[rant] If you have young kids don't rot their minds with [Nintento|Xbox|DC|etc], get them books and Lego. Things that will help their young minds grow and analyze, not things that fuel ADD
Re:You can never have enough... (Score:1)
I want (Score:1)
-A small army of followers who are dumb enough to do whatever i say.
-A thermo-nuclear war-head (Pref 600KT or more).
-A house in mexico.
-400Kg of crack cocaine.
And a puppy.
All I want... (Score:2, Funny)
mp3's in my car (Score:1)
Re:mp3's in my car (Score:2, Funny)
My geek wish list. (Score:3, Funny)
2. My omnisky palm service, which will soon be shut off.
Maybe I should have gone with Verizon all along [lostbrain.com]
tcd004
THOUSANDS OF DROOLING SLASHDOT GEEKS TRASH WEBSITE (Score:1, Redundant)
HEY (Score:1)
Who's going to buy any of this? (Score:1)
Re:Who's going to buy any of this? (Score:1)
Re:Who's going to buy any of this? (Score:1)
Yep.
When told "you need to upgrade your machine to use our software";
Last year's response - you do it
This year's response - who needs the software?
it should be noted (Score:1, Informative)
Pocket entertainment center (Score:1)
Why spend that kind of money on a pocket entertainment center when I've already got one that I can wrap my hand around?
perfect gift (Score:2)
For Christmas, all I want.... (Score:1)
Cheers
How about... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:How about... (Score:2)
I only saw the first three products before my Pop-Up|Under deleting finger got tired. I normally use Mozilla's ability to kill pop-up windows on Open but it's still way too slow on MacOS.
Re:How about... (Score:1)
Sleazy Ad Exec: "You know those radio ads, with the two people with annoying voices talking to each other? I invented that."
Homer punches him in the face
Ad Exec, laughing. Happens all the time.
My wishlist... (Score:1)
But being 16, that's not going to happen. I got my first check Friday, and if all goes well I should be able to at least get the new computer by July. Yeah. Christmas in July.
But for now, I just want to be with my closest friends. I need a little bit of holiday cheer. When I'm with them I'd like my computer to do its part in finding the cure for cancer [ud.com], but it's only avalible for Windows. Too bad it hasn't been ported to MacOS or Linux. I'd ditch SETI and use that in a heartbeat.
Re:My wishlist... (Score:1)
Has slashdot done a story on this? If they haven't they really should, so more people get involved. I am sure there is more chance of something positive coming out of it than the seti@home project...
graspee
$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:2)
That Sony TV is ridiculous. Who would pay over a grand for a TUBE? Oh wait, it's flat, and it's Sony, so it must be good.
Compare it side-by-side with a similarly priced rear-projection and you'll be able to pretty easily make the decision.
Re:$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:1)
Zeno
Re:$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:2)
Brightness, sharpness, and viewing angle are all much, much better with a direct-view CRT than you could ever get on the very best rear projection.
I bought a Sony XBR after watching one at a friend's house. They may be big, they may be heavy, they may be "old school technology", but they still kick the ass of any rear projection unit.
I don't buy stuff because of brand names or advertising, or price. I buy the product that best serves it's intended purpose... and the Sony XBR is the best TV I've found.
My only regret is that I didn't spring for a larger screen :-)
Re:$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:1)
This TV had a price tag of $3999...I guess the cool aspect ratio makes it more expensive even though the screen isn't as big?
As a side note, you know the picture had to be really fucking good for me to stand there 10 minutes watching "Touched by an Angel".
Re:$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:1)
I've compared rear projection with (smaller) direct view TVs. I'm not sure whether to buy the direct view now, or wait for plasma prices to drop further.
Re:$3700 for a TUBE TV? (Score:1)
No shadow mask removes some problems with direct-view CRTs, but introduces other ones.
Direct-view tubes have a very wide field of view, matched only by expensive panels.
-M
All I want for christmas (Score:2)
Re:All I want for christmas (Score:1)
Wheee! I just bought my Xmas present.. (Score:2)
Who needs another power sucking electronic gadget, when you can pick up a fat burning mechanical work of art?
I finally cracked the mountain bike frame I brazed together 6 years ago.. So, while I work up the next one, I decided to pick up one of these [gtmountainbikes.com] little numbers... It's not steel, and it's a bit heavier than ride I'm used to, but what the heck, right? The addition of rear suspension will be nice with the ground beginning to freeze..
Hmmm... lost of Sony stuff (Score:2)
_________________
Re:Hmmm... lost of Sony stuff (Score:1)
If you want a flash memory player the Sonicblue Rios consistently get good reviews. My personal favorite is the Rio Volt SP250 MP3-CD player. I also feel better about supporting a company that fights the MPAA and RIAA [slashdot.org].
Is this site in bed with Sony? (Score:5, Interesting)
I like some stuff Sony makes, but I wouldn't call their products "geek friendly".
Re:Is this site in bed with Sony? (Score:2)
Actually, there was one thing my post had that these other posts lacked- I actually went to the trouble of counting the number of sony/non-sony items on the 'geek gift list' at the site.
Response to Server Comments (Score:2, Interesting)
You should be proud you almost took down all of www.realgn.com www.realshell.com and www.keystreams.com With a total of more than 30 sites and 9 servers. Pretty amazing stuff.
Aibo w/lights on = creepy (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Aibo w/lights on = creepy (Score:1)
AIGHHH!!! Pop-Ups, Pop-Ups everywhere !! (Score:1)
simple gifts for the geek with too many toys (Score:3, Informative)
First, the cheap one: a $20 [recotonaccessories.com]
video/S-video switch (the SVS1000, not the AVS500 on that page) to connect more things to the TV. I've got my N64 and Dreamcast going through it, and will probably also route one or two of my VCRs through it. Simple but handy. But a warning: if you give one to an uber-geek he may complain that the box degrades the video quality noticeably; I didn't notice any image degradation at all with Mario Kart 64, which was my main concern. I just picked up one of these when I bought a Dreamcast after they came down to $50, since my TV didn't have any more free inputs.
Second, and much more expensive, a KVM switch, to share one keyboard/monitor/mouse among multiple computers. I got myself a Belkin OmniView SE 4-port [belkin.com] (they claim list price around $260, but I'm pretty sure I got mine quite a bit cheaper) and I'm really happy to have reclaimed so much room on my desk; now I'm able to pile up so many more papers than before!
Lately when Christmas approaches, I've started wondering where I can make room for any more stuff I get. These two things have given me a bit of extra room and helped me organize all the wires a bit.
Spoken in the voice of Chandler from Friends (Score:1)
Wish List (Score:1)
A Heckler & Koch USP 40 caliber.
Any other geeks out there getting guns for christmas?
(I went and filled out the federal paper work to get my gun, just waiting for it to come back)
Re:Wish List (Score:1)
(hint to the clueless- mgs2)
graspee
IT's what I want (Score:1)
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20011201/tc/tec
my wish list (Score:1)
Intel P4 1.9GHz [2GHz costs an extra 100 bucks]
Asus P4B i845 478p
3x 512MB RAM [4 Me, RAM is always more important cause most of my problems on my 32MB box come from insufficient RAM]
60GB/7200RPM Quantum HDD
19" Philips 109B Flat
Asus V8200 Deluxe GeForce3 64MB TV Out[Ti500 is not worth the money]
USRobotics 56K Ext. Modem [56K is the only option where I live
Asus ATX T10 Case
M$ Internet Multimedia Keyb
M$ Intelli Mouse
16x Pioneer DVD-ROM
Yamaha 20x10x40 CD-RW
M$ WinXP Pro
RedHat Professional Distro [the BIG one]
The above is a PERHAPS from my dad. I also ordered some tschit from ThinkGeek like tshirts and caffeine...
I want (Score:1)
but my xmas wish will go unanswered as ive already been givin the 'thumbs down' about time off til january!
New Building Toy (Score:1)
If Jon Katz Could Only Write This Well (Score:1)
P.S. I will never eat noodles again.