Marcster

And more deals after Black Friday, not to mention a community that's second to none that'll keep you coming back even after Black Friday. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Yes/highfive.gif

Thanks Mike... Though I'm not looking for Christmas music just yet, I must say that AccuRadio is giving my Pandora One subscription a run for it's money. Pandora's strength is in having the listener make a playlist -- many of Pandora's premade stations lack the depth to avoid being repetitive.

Concurred. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Yes/thumbup-two.gif

You're quite welcome... I've had a Pandora.com account for years. I upgraded to the new paid Pandora One service (the sound quality is much better), but the free service is certainly acceptable. If you want to listen to a station I put together (Xmas Song Remixes), go here: http://www.pandora.com/?sc=sh176218565386575376 Dance music + Christmas songs = something cool and different. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Holidays/polka.gif

I recommend looking at review sites and checking out sample photos taken with the camera(s) you are considering. http://www.steves-digicams.com is a GREAT one! Pay close attention to the sample photos details such as natural skin tones, coloration and flash intensity in interior photos, and things with minute detail, such as animal fur. That tends to be where cameras fall short... Just about any camera can take a good photo outdoors with natural sunlight.

Since Cindy edited the title to include all P&S talk, I'll throw this in... I have two Sony cameras, one of which is my second "bridge camera" (aka "DSLR-like"). Bridge cameras bridge the gap between a compact P&S and the DSLRs with the changeable lenses. Lately they have zoom lenses that range from 10X to 20X optical. My camera is a Sony DSC-H50 (not a current model) with a 15x optical zoom. When I chose the camera I was looking specifically for models that had tiltable LCD lenses. There are only two companies making cameras like this: certain models of Canon & Sony. This is my camera: 1X zoom vs. 15X zoom: A tiltable camera allows you to change the angle of the LCD which, among other things, allows you to shoot photos at angles that are either impossible or uncomfortable to do otherwise: (1) At your waist without bending or kneeling (2) Above your head shooting downward (3) From the ground upwards without getting dirty (4) Above your head shooting upward with your head in a comfortable position (not kinking your neck) Some samples of what I am talking about: To take some of those photos I've shown, someone with a regular camera would just have to shoot 20+ photos and hope that one came out or get in some very uncomfortable positions. It is important to note that not all bridge cameras have tiltable lenses -- it's a separate feature you have to look for.

Along with Elmck's suggestions, how about temporarily storing items at friend's houses located strategically throughout your shopping area. Many people have off on Black Friday, even if they don't go off shopping.

Devil's Advocate: What about if you only go in for a box of bandages or some aspirin and don't need a bag? Do you get the credit?

www.pandora.com

I was wondering when someone would finally make a comment to follow up mine!

Great movie!

I think Apple iPhones and iPod Touches can work as readers too. You might find a refurb Touch at a good price at apple.com. But I'm going on stuff I read a while ago, so do some research... http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Yes/ok.gif

Nope. Never, not even once.

I always recommend sticking with the major brands, namely Garmin or TomTom (I have one of each). I am really fond of my Garmin 780 (feature-packed at $199.99): http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-780-Widescreen-Bluetooth-Navigator/dp/B0011UEUNG Garmin has a deal with Mapquest.com where you can create your route on Mapquest and then sync it to your Garmin via USB cable (which is faster that tapping on the little pressure-sensitive screen). Do you have a budget?

Amazon has them... They come in 8GB or 4GB versions: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V7XPSA

jrdoa -- I would lean towards recommending Wii as well, but you could arrange a "play date" with your family and a Wii-owning family that has kids that your kids are friends with... Maybe you bring the pizza and they supply the party... Consider it a "trial run" and see what your kids think... You don't need to let your kids know that Santa is considering getting them a console. Just a thought. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Yes/N1clever02HL1.gif

Yep, your tax dollars going to help your neighbor buy a new 'fridge. Very cool indeed. Don't get me wrong, if I needed an appliance, I'd take advantage of the "free" money. But "free" does come at a price -- either by increasing our debt to China or through future inflation by devaluing our dollar through simply printing more money. I just am disgusted by the whole "free" money ideology.

All laptops made within the past 4 years or so have a Wireless G card built right in.

Depends on if the netbook (mini laptop) has a 32bit CardBus card slot. If it does, it'll work, if not, then no... Don't forget that you need to have a Wireless N router or else you might as well stick with the netbook's built-in wireless G speeds.

I think that Newegg.com might step it up a notch (granted they are online only). In addition to OfficeMax, Office Depot, and Staples.... I think Radio Shack would be wise to step it up a notch. Granted, none of those places carry DVDs or appliances, but they can all compete on TVs, cordless phones, flash drives, digital cameras, and computers....

[ one member's post removed ] Please refer to rule #4: http://forums.gottadeal.com/showthread.php?t=53669

Shipping usually kills any online deal... Walmart, Kmart, Best Buy, Sears, etc. are probably your best bets. Check Craigslist too.

You know that Sony Vaio laptops are prone to failure, don't you? These are all within the past year... If you go back further, the problems are worse. http://www.techimo.com/forum/networking-internet/230772-sony-vaio-wireless-problem.html http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/30647-35-sony-vaio-frv27-power-jack-problem http://getsatisfaction.com/bestbuy/topics/sony_vaio_not_able_to_charge http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/laptop-support/403408-sony-vaio-sound-problem.html http://mail-index.netbsd.org/port-amd64/2009/08/17/msg000932.html http://club.cdfreaks.com/f87/pioneer-dvr-k16d-sony-vaio-problem-226657/ http://grownupgeek.com/sony-vaio-keyboard-problems Also, Sony laptops tend to be very expensive for the level of performance they provide. Have you considered Lenovo, Asus, HP, Alienware, or Fujitsu?

I don't know about Indiana, but a grocery store chain here (Wegmans) does heat-n-eat style of food, it's less expensive than catering. I just did a Google search and came up with this: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/339471 You could look for something like that in your area. You could also have it catered, buffet-style. I am assuming you don't feel well enough to go out to eat? I didn't see what ails you.

That doesn't sound like fun at all... Will you be missing T-Giving dinner with the fam too? ---- Amazon.com had some decent Wii game & accessory deals, I bought some stuff last year. Newegg.com had some great deals last year too. I bought some LCD monitors and graphics cards (they had other electronic items too. Bestbuy.com has limited supplies of the items they offer in the stores. NO BB door-busters are available online though. I bought a GPS and hard drive from them for BF 2007 -- no way would I have waited in that massive line on BF for just two items!