This bag is always my carry-on bag when I fly and has been for more than five years. There are 12 very useful pockets which vary in size and can be used to hold snugly almost anything: PDA, cell phone, etc. Two of the pockets have mesh fronts so you can see what's inside, and there's also a key holder that keeps keys or other items handy yet out of sight. The side pockets on each end are sized for a water bottle (many bags offer one pocket, but two is even better). I find the bottle(s) really stay put, but are easy to remove and go back into the pocket without much fuss. Also, the bag has big, rugged zippers that never jam. The openings in the zipper pulls are 5/16" x 3/16" and rectangular in shape, useful for attaching things like bungee cords, what-have-you.

The versatility of the bag is a big plus. My daughter uses hers (actually, she stole mine so I bought another) for her daily transport to and from law school (laptop, books, materials, lunch, water bottle, etc.). Sure IKEA's tote bag is only $0.99, but it only has one pocket versus the Ampac's 12 of assorted sizes. And the IKEA can't be closed, so it's placement under an airline seat or in an overhead bin would be a potential mess/disaster.

I find $30 pretty sweet for something this useful and very tough and well built. After 5+ years of travel, it still looks brand new. Ampac offers the bag in eight colors: Black, Green, Blue, Khaki, Yellow, Red, Purple and Lime Green. I opted for red, which makes it easy to find and keep track of while traveling, but I'd buy another in a heartbeat if mine did get lost.

-- Joseph Stirt

Ampac Tote Bag
$13
Available from 1-800-luggage

Or $30 from the manufacturer, Ampac Travelware, Inc.

This stuff is Gore-Tex in a can! You can make any nylon garment waterproof and still breathable by spraying it with TX.Direct. You don't need to spray the underarms (unless you need ultimate dryness), so breathability is enhanced. I've been using this stuff for years. I initially used it just on Gore-Tex (it really helps bring old Gore-Tex back to life). Then I gave it a shot on a nylon jacket and it worked just like Gore-Tex. Why spend hundreds on a waterproof jacket when you can spend much less, use this spray and get the jacket of your choice? (one can treats about 4 jackets). I also use TX.Direct on my boots that have nylon uppers, and spray my Woolrich felt hat, which works great -- water just beads up on it; can't even tell it's there. The spray is somewhat smelly, so it's best to spray it on outside or in the basement, and it does need to be re-applied after washing. Nikwax also makes a wash-in product you put in with your laundry. I don't like excessively washing my technical gear, though, as it seems to wear out faster. I save the wash-in stuff only for when I do need to wash things, and freshen up my waterproofing when needed with the spray-on. I also don't really like the idea of having those chemicals directly against my skin, so I prefer the spray-on generally because you're only applying it to the exterior of the garment.

-- Doug Barnard

Nikwax TX.Direct Spray-on Waterproofing
$19+
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by NikWax

Cyanoacrylate (CA), aka super glue, in 1 and 2 oz sizes is a boon to the hobbyist, woodworker, and handy man. However after 20 or so uses, the typical CA bottle becomes terminally gummed up, tempting you to crack open the cap and obtain glue by dipping a toothpick or piece of wire, opening up the possibility of a CA-tastrophic spill. I resisted trying the Glü-Bot until I knocked over a 1 oz bottle CA in a very inopportune place, and have since found it to be much more effective than a standard glue container.

The Glü-Bot has a precise applicator tip, a widened base that makes it hard to tip over, and it uses a two-chambered system that allows for complete clearing of the dispensing tip at any time. About an inch from the bottom, the bottle divides into two cylinders: one is fat (the reservoir) and the other is skinny (the dispenser tube). When the reservoir is squeezed, the glue is forced into the dispenser tube and through its tip. Because the reservoir has a larger diameter than the dispenser tube, it doesn't take much pressure to fill the dispenser tube, which allows for fairly precise control of the flow of material out of the tip. The tip of most standard glue bottles is a slender cylinder, which grabs glue due to capillary/adhesive action. The last 1/8th inch of the Glü-Bot tip is very narrow, allowing a controlled delivery, but it then widens considerably, forming shoulders that help keep the glue from forming liquid plugs.

After careless use, the tip orifice can plug up, but this is easily remedied into "good as new" condition with a straight pin. Also, tapping the bottle down on a hard surface will often clear the spout of low viscosity glue. Also, once the glue has been dispensed, you tip the bottle so that the dispensing tube drains back into the reservoir. In the "neutral" upright position, the glue level is held at the bottom of the dispensing tub, independent of the amount in the reservoir.

With the Glü-Bot, glue also rarely comes into contact with the filler cap, so it remains easy to open and close. In the upright position, the glue level in the dispensing tube is maintained below the tip, so if a Glü-Bot is dropped it does not automatically result in a spurt of glue from the tip. And the surface of the glue exposed to air in both reservoir and dispenser is big enough to prevent an evaporation or curing-based skin to form on its surface.

The bottom line is that if used correctly the Glü-Bot keeps itself clear of obstruction and is ready to do its job day after day. For glues that cure by drying out, the Glü-Bot minimizes problems caused by infrequent as well as frequent use, so that a house-holder would benefit as well as a professional. It won't keep aging glue viable indefinitely, so those that use glue once in a blue moon would be better off simply buying a fresh bottle whenever the occasional need arises. But for those of us who have an active interest in putting stuff together, the Glü-Bot is a big help.

-- Peter Spencer

Glü-Bot Glue Bottle
$6
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by FastCap

The Nosefrida is a remarkably effective tool for sucking snot out of a kid's nose. It's basically a flexible plastic tube with a mouthpiece on one end and a snot-collection chamber on the other. You put the mouthpiece in your mouth, press the open end of the snot-collection chamber against your kid's nostril (it doesn't go very far inside the nose), and SUCK. An inline filter prevents the snot from ending up in your mouth. The filter only needs to be changed when it gets gunked-up. Such gunking can be avoided by stopping periodically and blowing the collected snot out into a sink or emesis basin. Otherwise, if you keep filling up the snot-collection chamber, it eventually makes its way up to the filter. To clean, I just disassemble it and run warm water through it. Real easy.

It sounds disgusting and bizarre, but it works like a charm. If you've got a snotty kid, it's the best $15 you'll ever spend. My daughter got her first cold when she was three months old. It was a real nasty one, with lots of nasal congestion. My wife is a family doctor, and she suggested the standard course of action: spray saline up the kid's nose and try sucking the nastiness out with a bulb syringe. Anybody who's ever used a standard bulb syringe knows that it's a suboptimal tool for this project, for two main reasons: (1) A bulb syringe is too small to generate adequate suction to pull thick snot out of a kid's nose, and (2) little kids hate having a bulb syringe stuck up their nostrils. Can you blame 'em?

-- Mike Pedone

Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator
$15
Available from and manufactured by Nosefrida USA

If you've ever wondered how to model something, or were looking for new ideas for segmenting and presenting complex concepts, this is an incredible online resource. A neat graphical explanation and example of each "element" (ex; a cycle diagram) appears as soon as your cursor scrolls over them. What I like most is that the categorisers have thoroughly sliced the categorising! For instance, they've color-coded their categories: data, metaphor, concept, strategy, information, and compound visualisation techniques. As if that were not enough to spark your brain, the creators also provide clues as to whether the model works best for convergent or divergent thinking, and whether it is more for an overview vs. detailed perspective. So far, I have used it mostly for inspiration, especially the metaphor models, but this resource has given me ideas and structure and the appropriate language for my work as a process designer and facilitator. I also passed this onto a 7th grade teacher friend of mine who is using it with his entire class!

-- Jodie Engleberg

A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods
Free
Available here

Created by Dr. Martin J. Eppler & Ralph Lengler, University of Lugano, Switzerland

Example "elements":

For many years I suffered with a "creeping boat" wallet, consistently growing in size from year to year. Not only can sitting on such a thick wallet be bad for your back, but it also leaves an unsightly bulge in your back pocket (not to mention stretching the pocket out, thereby increasing the chances of your wallet falling out). The All-Ett billfold, while not stylish, solves all of those problems. The wallet has two pockets -- a deep one for receipts and a shallower one for bills - and a four-card slot system that holds a ton of cards without adding much bulk. Right now I keep about 20 cards (I've had up to 30), and it's about a quarter inch thick, with a few bills/receipts.

With my old wallets, I used to keep out cards I didn't use as frequently, but now I take them all with me. The wallet is made of a nylon that feels like a parachute, which helps keep its slim profile, dries quickly (unlike leather), and is breathable. I've had mine for about 2 years and it's held up pretty well so far -- no tears etc. The price is a little high, but comparable to most standard leather wallets I've seen.

It's worth noting that some people have expressed concerns about cards falling out of the slots. It is true that the more cards you keep, the more secure the cards will be in each slot. But I've never had an issue with this. I find that if I open up the wallet and tip it sideways, the cards can come out, but I've never experienced this in real usage due to the fact I hold my wallet horizontally like you'd hold a normal wallet. If I tip it some while looking for bills, the cards still don't fall out as the slots open towards the fold. It seems the only way to actually have them fall out is to open the wallet all the way up and then hold it vertically. Again, if you have several cards in each slot, this doesn't happen, only when there are a few (I've tried it with two in a slot and they slipped out). That said, if I were to be storing only a very few number of cards, I'd store them in just two of the slots, ensuring a more snug fit. Nevertheless, this wallet is intended for those of use who like to carry more than a few.

-- Brian Houle

ALL-ETT Billfold Wallet
$20
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by ALL-ETT Billfold

I normally steer clear of overview texts, but I have to say this book, part of the "Rough Guide" series, is an excellent, refreshingly straightforward resource on how to consume with higher ethical standards. Granted there is some overlap with Worldchanging: A User's Guide for the 21st Century, but this book -- a cheaper paperback (printed on paper made from 100% recycled fiber) -- focuses less on interesting cultural tidbits and inspirational sketches of specific communities. Instead, it's a no-nonsense look at the in's and out's of the plethora of choices you can make to change and manage your impact. There are very concise, instructive passages on topics like ecotourism, local vs. organic, clean cosmetics, socially responsible investment (SRI) -- including a four-step plan for "Greening your pension fund" -- as well as the benefits of switching to solar, wind and/or micro-hyrdo systems (For instance, did you know the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy [DSIRE] maps the tax incentives and grants available in various states?). Overall, it reads like one of those "Complete Idiot's Guide" books, which is precisely why it's so useful. The sections are short and the language is clear. Considering how much info is floating around online, this book could really help cut through the noise and arm you with the basics.

-- Steven Leckart

Shopping with a Conscience
Duncan Clark & Richie Unterberger
2007, 344 pages
$12
Available from Amazon

Sample Excerpts:
The 'e' word is without a shadow of a doubt subjective, morally loaded and often problematic. And it's easy to make ethical consumerism sound laughable by taking it to its apparently absurd logical conclusions. But, while you could spend hours arguing over the subjectivity of it all, semantic nit-picking is not really very good grounds for ignoring the effects we have on the rest of the world. And, while we have all our own specific ideas of what should and shouldn't count as accepted standards, it's probably fair to say that we all aspire to some common idealsŠIt's surely more constructive to ask how these standards can be achieved than to argue over whether or not ethical shopping is an oxymoron.

*
The mortgage industry is a huge part of the US economy; in 2002 alone, it financed $2.5 trillion in loans. Considering what a massive business it is - and how the building of "green" or environmentally responsible real estate is itself a rapidly growing field - it's rather astonishing that there are virtually no companies or financial institutions specializing in "ethical" mortgagesŠThere is one company that does make a clear commitment to supporting environmental and social causes as part of its standard operation. MortgageGreen based in Marin County near San Francisco, earmarks 10% of its profits for a dozen organizations devoted to environmental sustainability and progressive social change, including the Rainforest Action Network, Environmental Defense Fund, Earthjustice and Adbusters. As with socially responsible credit cards, this could take a while to add up to a substantial sum, though as the company points out in its literature, if just one in a thousand US mortgages were funded through such a program, $5 million would be generated annually. MortgageGreen says it will beat any mortgage lender's total loan package cost, and contribute $400 to its social and environmental activism fund in the borrower's name if it can't meet that obligation for any reason.

I drooled over and pondered getting this hammer for a year before I finally took the plunge -- and it was well worth the very high price tag. This hammer really absorbs the vibrations as you pound it. I have been framing for about 14 years and have been swinging an Estwing 25-oz. California-style framing hammer for most of that time. My elbow is almost shot from the vibrations of using those all-steel hammers. Since buying the much lighter titanium T-bone (15 oz.), I have noticed a dramatic difference in my elbow.

All-around it's an absolutely wonderful hammer. The magnetic nail starter isn't a new invention, but it's handy, and I use the side nail puller every chance I get instead of relying on the claw. The hammer also features a removable steel head (or face), which can be replaced with a milled waffle or smooth head (depending on which face you purchase to begin with). Stiletto makes other cheaper hammers with a titanium head and a wooden or fiberglass handle. They absorb a lot of shock, too, but tend to break fairly easily - unlike this model, which has a titanium handle covered in rubber.

If you are serious about building and/or want to lessen the impact on your elbow, arm, etc., this hammer is certainly worth the investment. I don't know offhand what a shot of cortisone costs, but they probably add up. I wouldn't recommend this hammer for the average Joe, but if you use a hammer a lot, this is the one to get. They come with a curved or straight handle. I have one with a curved handle, which just feels right.

-- Greg Morris

Stiletto Tibone Titanium Hammer
$190
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Stiletto Tools

Unlike most travel bottles which must be turned upside down to squeeze out their contents, these are designed in a light bulb shape with the opening at the base of the container. No shaking or waiting for contents to be accessible on account of gravity. Better yet, the use of flexible silicone -- instead of hard plastic -- allows you to depress the container easily, getting out every last drop of its contents, like a tube of toothpaste. The extra wide mouth makes filling the bottles much easier and quicker. Best of all, the bottles were designed in accordance with TSA standards: they are transparent enough to be considered clear and hold 2 oz each. I have flown with these several times with great results. I simply put them in a clear plastic zipper bag and drop them in the security bucket with my shoes and am on my way. They're on the pricey side, but are so easy to use I won't be switching back to those hard plastic travel bottles (even if the TSA eases up).

-- Linda Leckart

Silicone Travel Bottles
$20
Available from and manufactured by PKOH NYC

Dedicated jigsaw puzzlers know nothing matches the quality (or challenge) of a hand-cut wooden puzzle. But at about $2.00 or so per piece they are outrageously expensive (a 20" x 24" 1000-piece puzzle can cost $3,000). ELMS Puzzles solves the dilemma by offering a rental program that lets you keep a puzzle for three months, by which time you should either be done or realize you've met your match.

The wooden pieces (unlike cardboard) are very exact in their fitting so you have to be very certain about having the right piece. Also, many are cut with straight lines inside the puzzle -- i.e. a piece in the middle won't have interlocking pieces. Those who do puzzles by putting together the border and working their way in will really be challenged; and many of the pieces are cut in shapes appropriate for the puzzle. For example, a Christmas puzzle will have a piece the shape of a Christmas tree, the shape of a sleigh, the shape of an angel, etc. Oh, and no picture comes with the puzzle for those who "cheat" by looking at the top of the box.

While still not cheap, at $40 - $225 depending on the number of pieces, renting these puzzles becomes affordable for special occasions like family vacations with other puzzle fanatics. There are other companies that sell puzzles (Stave comes to mind from having seen their advertisements in The New Yorker), but ELMS are the only people I know who rent. I like the idea of renting 15 - 20 puzzles for the price of buying one.

I recognize this is not something everyone thinks is sane. Our family members are divided on it, some love them, others think it's the biggest waste of time known to man. You either like jigsaw puzzles or are bored silly by them, but if you're a fan you should enjoy the pleasure of a quality hand cut puzzle at least once.

-- Julee Bode

ELMS Hand Cut Puzzle Rental Club
$75
(lifetime membership + first 200-piece puzzle)
Available from ELMS Puzzles, Inc.

[Note: you will need to pay shipping, either FedEx or priority mail -- sl]

For anyone who likes fresh flowers, herbs, vegetables, or fruits, but lives in urban areas or homes where maintaining a garden may not be an option, this in-house, aeroponic garden is convenient and manageable (there's no potting or soil involved, just a little bit of water and nutrient tablets).

I received one as a present last year and have had the "gourmet herb" kit planted ever since with great results - very high quality and it produces the yields advertised. It took about 4 weeks for our kit to reach full maturity and we've harvested each plant at least 10 times -- some as many as 20 or 30. Each kit comes with little pods preset with seeds, so starting up is as simple a matter as inserting the pods (in the order the manufacturer prescribes to avoid plant competition), adding water and the provided nutrients (which are organic), and turning on the garden lights (two fluorescent bulbs).

We love having the herbs in the kitchen (Cilantro, Chives, Italian Basil, Red Rubin, Basil, Dill, Mint, Parsley). We also have an herb garden outside, but this is nice for quick grabs, and it's not a bad looking thing to have on the counter. We're about to switch over to the strawberry kit, which they say yields 5 pounds of strawberries in 6 weeks and continues for 6 months thereafter.

We went into it knowing it probably wouldn't be a money saver, so I can't say that it's a net win on costs compared to the grocery simply because I haven't done the math. Because of the energy consumption (I think we noticed our electric bill jump between $10 and $15 per month), it's probably a bit of a luxury item best attuned to those in urban areas and/or those who can't keep their own gardens (because of geography, climate, etc.). If someone's going to use this to grow flowers, I would again mention you'll notice a small increase on your electric bill from running the lights for around 18 hours per day. Thus, I'd recommend growing something you can harvest to get a little bit more for your money.

Either way, for those who lack the green thumb this garden makes for pretty failsafe results.

-- Marshall Votta

AeroGarden
$150
Available from Amazon
(in black)

Gourmet Herb Seed Kit
$20
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by AeroGrow International, Inc.

Loose tea steeps best when it has ample room to expand and have the maximum surface area exposed to hot water, making this convenient tea brewing-straining device superior to ball or "in cup" strainers. You just add the desired amount of tea, (two or three teaspoons in the 16 oz. version), and pour in water heated to the correct temperature. Allow 3 minutes of steeping time for green teas, five for black teas, and as long as desired for herbal teas; then place the device on top of your mug and the tea releases in a narrow stream while the leaves are kept in the ingenuiTEA by the built-in strainer. One can re-brew the same leaves again if desired, or simply toss them and rinse the ingenuiTEA with warm water and dish soap (it's also dishwasher safe).

The ingenuiTEA works marvelously for both green tea (steeping temperature of 180 degrees) and black or herbal teas, which usually require water that has just come to a rolling boil. The plastic tends to insulate fairly well, meaning maximum extraction for those teas that do require exceptionally hot water and/or extended steeping times. A standard teapot and a simple strainer (not the ball type, but the kitchen type with an open top and a handle) could make tea just as well, but the convenience and aesthetics of this device compel me to recommend it. Being able to dispense tea directly into your preferred mug is a selling point; and it's wonderful to be able to see the leaves expand and "dance." The strainer is replaceable, and while it does discolor when brewing black tea, a brief soak in hot water and "Oxyclean" will have it looking brand new.

-- Daniel Walton

ingenuiTEA Teapot
$15
Available from Cooking.com

Also $19 from Amazon (includes four green tea samples)

Manufactured by Adagio Teas

I've used these money clips for 30 years, getting a new one every eight to ten years. This simple tool holds my money and provides an excellent knife that is always available in an unobtrusive way. The footprint is tiny: 3 cm X 5 cm folded,13 cm long when both knife and nail file are open. Most other "pocket" knives are bulky and complex, but this knife has a slim profile (it's just a knife, file and clip).

The blade is easily sharpened with any kind of small stone or diamond-imbedded file. It's not the highest quality steel but it's certainly good enough for my purposes. Because it is always with me, I always try to use this knife first for any task. Mostly I open letters/packages, but it also can be used for staple removal, as a mini screwdriver, scribe or awl, for removing splinters, etc. I work in the operating room as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) and even there, with all the precision instruments, I've used this knife to cut off loose dressings (after the blade has been steam sterilized, of course). Interesting side note: the Zippo Company actually survived the demise of smoking by diversifying with products like this.

-- George Higgins

Zippo Money Clip Pocket Knife
$19
Available from Gunther Gifts

Manufactured by Zippo

Two incredibly handy tools seldom used for their intended uses are dental mirrors (a.k.a. "inspection" mirrors) and dental picks. The one problem with most inspection mirrors is that when you have to look into awkward electronic or mechanical crevices where you need a mirror, you also need a flashlight for illumination and a spare hand to hold the light. This kit (#832) has a dental mirror with a bright flashlight integrated into the handle and a switch in the grip, freeing up your other hand. The other neat thing is that for less than $10 you get two dental picks -- great for nudging or extracting small inaccessible components from assemblies. Recently, I was upgrading a friend's computer. The motherboard was mounted in a "baby ATX" case which was a very tight fit. To locate the CMOS reset jumper or check to see if the memory socket catch was engaged, I needed the use of the lighted mirror to negotiate the dark spots where those components were hidden. In the same manner the picks were handy to snag small cables within the case.

-- Stephen A. Kupiec

GUM Oral Care Kit
$6
Available from Drugstore.com

Manufactured by Sunstar Americas, Inc.

Domke's F-2 Original is a bit expensive, but the bag has a number of advantages making it practical and totally versatile. The canvas construction makes it both lightweight and far more comfortable to shoulder than bulkier camera bags. I've owned Tamrac bags and find them too cumbersome and specialized. Crumplers are too stylish and attention-getting. My Domke offers the perfect blend of utility and dull looks: a major plus when you're carting around several thousand dollars worth of gear. I've had it for at least ten years and find it has barely worn.

The bag's central compartment is 12 x 6.5 x 9.0". Using a four-compartment padded insert that comes with the bag, I can easily carry four lenses (up to 8" tall) and a camera body with a lens attached. I've had other camera bags that ended up at the bottom of my closet when I abandoned my SLRs for more compact digital cameras. I've been able to repurpose the Domke as an office, travel and knock-around bag, but the ease of throwing in the four-compartment insert means that when I want that classic camera bag function back, it's there. The included "bottom stiffener" also gives you even more flexibility in controlling the bag's structure. While I've never subjected my Domke to a downpour, its lightweight water-repellent canvas has protected my valuables plenty of times in light rain.

Running back and forth between work, I usually stuff it with a giant lunch box and several days worth of newspapers. While the main compartment is nice, my favorite features are the five easy-access pockets around the sides of the bag. I stuff two fat pockets on either end of the bag with AC cords, USB drives, keys and anything else I don't feel like pocketing myself. Two sleek pockets on the bag's front handily house notebooks, batteries, pens, etc. Finally, an open envelope-style pocket on the bag's back offers a handy place for boarding passes, maps and magazines. Slightly more hidden is a zipper pocket under the main flap. It's a less accessible part of the bag, perfect for passports and other small items you want to keep close. The bags simple Velcro and clip closures have proven to me that sometimes simplicity really is best.

Should I ever lose this bag, I'll have just two wishes: I hope it'll be near empty (doubtful) and that I won't need to go long before buying a new one.

-- Michael

Domke Camera Bag
$117
Available from Amazon
(color: sand)

Also from Amazon
(color: black)

Manufactured by Domke

The Tool Box Grill is the best portable, tabletop barbecue grill we've ever owned. This gas-powered grill is a good size and is easy to use anywhere (we are full-time RVer's). The handle on top makes it easy to carry, the grill is very stable, and there are no vents in the bottom, meaning no greasy mess (there's a built-in grease tray, too) and the grill doesn't dirty up the compartment where we store it. The grill heats up quickly (I mostly cook with medium heat, sometimes low), but is completely cool and ready to store by the time the meal is finished, and it closes up quick just like a tool box. We used the less expensive charcoal model several years ago and switched to gas when it became available (no ash to empty out after).

-- Gwen H.

Tool Box Grill
$65
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Hans Plads, Inc.

I've seen many quick and dirty photo editing programs via web browser, but this Flash-based editor definitely takes the cake. Hands down, the ease of use is the best part. As you work, little windows pop up with explanations, but I've never needed them because of the usability. For a professional photographer or someone looking to get into the nitty gritty of what's outlined in the Pro Digital Photographer's Handbook, the program would be mostly unpractical for regular use, but it's certainly beneficial as an emergency tool (getting stuck at someone else's computer, etc.) or doing stuff on the fly. It's obviously not a replacement for Photoshop, but if you're a consumer who can't afford Photoshop or you just want to fool around, this is a great, really intuitive option.

It has the standard rotate, crop and resize functions, as well as exposure control and color settings. The color settings are basic. You can adjust hue, saturation and contrast in a variety of ways. Although the adjustment is somewhat crude -- and it's unlikely you'll be able to use this interface to 'save' a bad photo the way you might be able to in Photoshop -- you'll definitely be able to make a good photo "pop."

What amazes me about Picnik is the exposure control. It has brightness and contrast settings, but I wasn't impressed until I saw the "advanced" option, which displays a histogram. What's most impressive is that you can set the shadow (black point) and highlights (white point) separately! In Photoshop this is called "Levels" (often considered the most popular exposure adjustment tool). There are a few drawbacks with Picnik's exposure control. The histogram isn't all that accurate, and it's a little rough when setting your white and black points. All-in-all, it's probably not that practical as a visual guide, but just the ability to set white and black points at all is what impresses me as a photographer.

Picnik also has a bunch of "creative tools" (essentially "filters" in Photoshop). What's great is the ability to adjust most of these effects. Most online programs allow you only to simply set a photo to B&W or Sepia tone. This program allows for adjustments so that you can gradually set a color hue, or go crazy. You can determine the amount of the effect to add, and have more control over the look of your photo. Some of these filters add some really glamorous effects, everything from vignette to soften (reminiscent of high school glamour shots in the 80s). And the "coming soon" buttons obviously suggest additional filters are on the way.

One of the biggest selling points is how it integrates Picasa and Flickr. You can search and download photos from any public Flickr account seamlessly, and Picnik also allows you to email photos to sites like Photobucket, TypePad and even Walmart (Walmart's own online photo editing software is nothing compared to Picnik). Moreover, close Picnik and come back the next day: your image is cached. Picnik sends a cookie to your browser, so when you return, you can pick up right where you left off. And the best, albeit most basic, function to me is the ability simply to save the image to your computer. In an age of proprietary everything, having the option to upload a photo, edit it, then just save it to your computer is golden.

The main cons here are that it seems you can only upload one photo at a time (which may just be part of the beta), and there's no selection "lasso" tool (as in Photoshop). If a particular area of the photo is out of wack, maybe the left side is too dark, there is no way to select just that side for editing. Another feature Picnik could add would be a method for viewing thumbnails or maybe running a slideshow and allowing you to tag images.

Overall, though, for a free service that's quite new, this is really impressive and a lot of fun.

-- Jeremy Rue

Picnik Photo Editor
Free!
Available from Picnik, Inc.

Sanding drywall is messy and nasty -- it's hard on both your tools and lungs. With this system the majority of the dust is sucked up right at the sanding pad. The sanding head, which uses standard sanding screens, is attached to a hose that runs to the Aquair Water Filter, a five gallon bucket that has a another hose you attach to a Shop-Vac (not provided). As you sand, the dust is sucked through 36 little holes on a pad attached to the sanding head. When the dust hits the water it goes into suspension, and doesn't reach (or ruin) the Shop-Vac. Note: after a good bit of use, you will need to change the water.

As a builder sometimes forced to live at the site (the horror!), I can say that this has made my life (and marriage) much less messy. Even if you're a homeowner and not a professional, this tool is especially useful, as drywall dust is incredibly pernicious. It can blow all over the house and settle everywhere. With this system, you can sand in the areas that you live in with significantly less clean up - and you won't even need a mask!

-- Doug Barnard

Sand & Kleen Dustless Drywall Sanding
$50
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Magna Industries, Inc.

This neat little box hides all those computer and phone cords and doubles as a power outlet. Inside are 10 outlets and the box comes with a clever method for keeping things very organized: metal ties that are affixed to the inside. You just coil each cord, wrap a tie around it (twisting the end like you would with a sandwich bag), and stack each cord on top of one another. Unplugging is a cinch: simply find the cord you want, undo the ties and pull out the plug. I own two -- one at home and one at the office. You can keep it under your desk or on top (I have my monitor on it), and the front accessibility means you can plug/unplug items (i.e. cell phone) quickly and easily without having a mess of wires on your desk. With everything plugged in I've never had any trouble closing the lid. I once tried making something like this out of laminated wood (to match my desk). It cost about $200, didn't look as nice and wasn't nearly as convenient.

-- Vic Habersmith

Cordinator
$55
(item #: TS181)
Manufactured by Herrington

[It appears this product is not currently available online. Herrington says it's on back order, but available if you call: 1-800-622-5221 --sl]

If you enjoy carving wood or just working with sharp tools, this glove can save you countless boxes of band-aids as well as a nice chunk of change - and gas money -- from all the trips to the local emergency room for stitches. The chain mail (just like the type medieval knights and shark divers use) is a great safety tool that not only keeps you from slicing your hand open, but also makes you feel pretty tough while wearing it. Much more comfortable and easier to work with than any heavily-padded safety glove. These are similar to the butcher's gloves and also those advertised for shucking oysters, but they're half the price.

-- Josh G.

Chain Mail Glove
$80
(sizes S - XXL)
Available from Lee Valley

I had two punctured tires in three weeks right before I bought these. Since I switched to the Marathon Plus tires a few months ago, I haven't had a single puncture. The Marathon tires come in two grades: normal and Plus, which is the more flat resistant of the two (Schwalbe also makes a model called the Supreme, which I haven't tried). They are truly for everyday commuting, with tread and real heft. Most importantly, they have Schwalbe's SmartGuard, a layer of "highly elastic, special india rubber" to help better protect your tubes from sharp objects.

The Marathon tires aren't cheap -- and it's hard to tell whether it's just been good luck or good engineering -- but I feel confident it's the latter. I ride a lot (28 km, two or three times a week, 10 months or so a year) and I used to get tons of flat tires, sometimes once a week. This month in particular is very bad for debris; it's the thaw here in Toronto, so all sorts of junk gets left behind as the snow banks melt.

I'm sure part of why I was getting so many flats is due to the fact I usually ride an EZ-1 Recumbent. With a 'bent, the front wheel is very lightly loaded and the back wheel is heavily loaded. I sit right on top of it (I'm 6'2" and 240 lbs), so it probably carries 90% of my weight. I think this makes the tire more susceptible to punctures because I'm guaranteeing that anything sharp that doesn't bend or move goes right in. I've ridden on a few other kinds of tires: Continental slicks (nice), cheapo knobbies (garbage), some satisfactory tires that came stock, and Primo Comets (dartboards).

I am riding under the same conditions, circumstances and in the same areas as when I used to get the flats, and haven't had any trouble. Just last week I rode through quite a lot of glass with no problems.

-- Adam Norman

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires
$40
(size: 700 x 32C)
Available from Amazon

Manufactured by Schwalbe

[For a puncture-proof option you can opt for Stan's NoTubes System. However, they don't offer tires smaller than 26", so if you ride a 'bent with a 16" or 20" front wheel, you'll have to fashion one for yourself using Stan's conversion kit. The Marathon Plus is a simpler, less DIY option. -- sl]