On the matter of computer->WiFi-> stereo, it's pretty simple if you've got a Mac. I use an Airport Express connected to powered speakers (in my case, a pair of old Proton 301s). This sets you up to play anything from iTunes over WiFi. If I want to broadcast music from a source on the web (e.g., Pandora) I use the program Airfoil from Rogue Amoeba to capture the audio and send it to the speakers. Just works.

This is a very good, inexpensive flash diffuser
http://store.garyfonginc.com/puf-01.html

Under the heading of "Best time accounting software/website" I would recommend the free, cross-platform, open source "Task Coach". While I got it specifically as a To-do List, it also has an very nice time tracking function that will track time for each task. If you attach a dollar value to your tasks, it will automatically track that along with the time.

Task Coach is cross platform, which comes in handy since I use both Windows and Linux. The program is still technically in Beta, but I have yet to find any problems with it. The fact that it is now 5 years old also helps.

This is a classic example of an incredibly useful Open Source program.

http://www.taskcoach.org/

If you're drinking the Apple Kool-Aid, it's hard to beat the simplicity of Airport Express hooked up to your speakers, and Apple Remote running on your iPhone to remotely control iTunes from another room.

If you're not on the Apple-cruise-ship, I've seen a couple of friends who *love* their Logitech Squeezebox: http://tinyurl.com/amazon-squeezebox. It plays internet radio and Pandora without needing a computer. If you can tell it where to find MP3s on the local network, it plays those, too. Multiple units in multiple rooms can be pretty easily synced to have whole-house audio. $225ish.

If you want the Big Brother of All Standalone Internet Media Players, the Squeezebox Transporter has audiophile-pleasing specs, and is $1900. I've never seen one, so can't recommend it personally.

And it may be cliche - and not so much requested - but the Milwaukee Sawzall and Irwin Vice-Grips are both about as generally useful as duct tape, and rarely if ever fail.

I have used the Cobrahead gardening tool. This is a wonderful tool for weeding. It doesn't do the job for you, but does make it easier / faster to get the weeding done. I lost mine once and immediatly went out and bought a 2nd one.
We had a program at a rose society meeting on favorite garden tools, and I was not the only one to bring this in! Highly recommend it!

D-Link makes a device called the DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player that allows you to access media content on your networked PCs on your TV and stereo, but at $240 it is pretty pricey for just a wi-fi bridge.

Escapepod is a pretty good scifi podcast, If you wanna give it a try, episode #100 is one of my favorites!

The Weed Wrench (http://www.weedwrench.com/) is an awesome tool for pulling woody plants out of the ground.

Squeezebox (now owned by Logitech) is an excellent tool to play music from a computer (either through an ethernet cable or wi-fi) to a stereo. The trick is its high-quality digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that minimizes degradation and allows music stored in a variety of digital formats (AAC, MP3, and various lossless formats) to be played--and enjoyed--in high-end audiophile systems.

"Best fiction podcast" depends on your tastes, obviously; personally, I love this one-- http://www.decoderringtheatre.com/

Homage to/parody of 30s- and 40s-style radio theatre, mostly adventure (Tales of the Red Panda), mystery (Black Jack Justice), and the occasional sci-fi (Deck Gibson).

Thanks to everyone who submitted recommendations, in the comments here and directly to me in e-mails. I hope to post some of them soon and look forward to hearing more. --es

I love my Progressive Int'l Microwave Rice Cooker. My model, the GMRC-500 came with everything I would need to cook dinner in the microwave, including measuring cups and spoons. I only wish that I had it when I was in my college dorm.

Airport Express works fine with Windows too ... first you need to configure it with Airport Utility over an ethernet connection but once that's done 'it just works' ... set up your distant speakers in iTunes and you're away ... I'm using it to stream Apple lossless via the optical out on the Airport Express into a DAC and thence into active speakers. I'm controlling iTunes with the remote app on my iPhone. Easy to use and sounds very good indeed.

Best intro to beekeeping book I've found is The Backyard Beekeeper, by Kim Flottum. Kim is a nationally known author and lecturer on beekeeping, and the book is clear and comprehensive, with excellent color photos. It's used by our club, and many others in our area as the textbook for intro to beekeeping classes. We're in our third year at this, and I pick it up regularly as a reference. Excellent tool for anyone looking to into this as a hobby.

I know this is a little late, but hopefully still helpful.

The Sonos multi-room music system allows you to connect many sources of music, including that which is on your PC of or streamed via the internet, wirelessly, to speakers all over your home.

This is kind of expensive, but is considered to be by far the best of its kind and is stunningly simple to use, customizable and flexible.

http://www.sonos.com/Default.aspx?rdr=true&LangType=1033