I have to disagree with arniec, no way can you find a comparable Mac desktop/laptop for a $100 difference, unless you are paying full price for the computer as well as the exorbitant prices for hardware upgrades. Dell has deals going almost every week.
posted by wongcorgi

Don’t buy into the old argument that Mac laptops are categorically more expensive than Windows machines. Sometimes that’s true—but they’re often on par with, or cost less... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 4:23 PM on July 22, 2008

I'm a big fan of marsedit, and the developer who recently took it over is wonderful.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 11:20 PM on June 18, 2008

I would only use an oil shop for oil changes. The money and time saved doing it myself isn't worth it (a shop charges 20 to 30 bucks here, I'm guessing TomMelee's car runs on oil mixed with gold shavings).

It's not difficult to find the maintenance schedule for your vehicle. As far as repairs the shop finds, I would take that info and get a real mechanic to check it out and make the repair if necessary. You're going to get ripped off otherwise.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 11:18 PM on June 18, 2008

If you don't care about web access there's a ton of choices for the mac. Everything from yojimbo to devonthink, though devonthink may be overkill for what you're needing.

If you'd like web access you might want to check out evernote which has an online application that syncs with your desktop version. There's a free version, and a paid version if you need a lot of space.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 5:01 PM on June 15, 2008

Those are fishing boats.

Yes, I realize that. There's some crossover though, isn't there? A jon boat is sometimes called a utility boat.

But if there are other boats that are better, I'm all ears/eyes.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:35 AM on June 11, 2008

I would have suggested a small pontoon

Honestly, I haven't considered a pontoon boat because I thought they were quite a bit bigger, but I'll do a search and see what I can find. Thanks.

The tasks you've described are things a classic yacht tender/dinghy is designed for. So if you haven't totally made up your mind a Google search on "dinghy" will return plenty more candidates.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 1:38 AM on June 11, 2008

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and information. It will help immensely.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:48 AM on June 11, 2008

In the particular case of my parents, they decided to stop paying for the option to have the alarm contact a security company when anything goes wrong. They alarm still works fine, it costs a lot less, and to be honest, it is probably just as effective. But if irrational fears are at play, maybe forking out the extra cash would help, although when you realize what kind of services you are paying for beyond the system itself, you will see it is a waste to spend money on much else other... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 5:11 PM on June 2, 2008

You need to listen to the people actually selling mac software, not mac talking heads (leo laporte). If you don't already know that applications are going mobile and the iPhone is going to drive demand for them, you're over your head.

Behind almost every mac application you'll find the developer has a blog. There's a ton of useful information on those sites. Here's an entry by Gus Mueller of Flying Meat fame on how he made a living developing mac software in 1068 days.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 11:01 PM on May 29, 2008

I know it's sometimes difficult to see things clearly when involved, but try and reads what you wrote as if it was written by a stranger.

If you like drama, stay with her, but you'd be crazy to marry her.

Either break up with her or go on the jerry springer show.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 9:53 PM on May 23, 2008

I honestly don't think you've missed much so far in 2008.

The fact that people are comically giving you a movie that's from 2007 is more entertaining and disturbing than anything I've seen in 2008.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:08 AM on May 23, 2008

Good, original writing.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:56 AM on May 23, 2008

I despise wallpaper. I had my bathroom redone and to save labor costs (we hired someone to do it) I decided that I would take the wallpaper down myself. Every home improvement show I had seen at the time made it look trivial. Every thing I read made it look simple.

It was hell. Nothing worked. Perforating the paper and dousing it with chemicals did nothing. It would have taken weeks and then it still would have looked like hell. Getting the fuzzy stuff off was destroying... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:52 AM on May 23, 2008

The map suggestion is a great idea. Also, a guide book to all the wonderful restaurants would be better than a gift certificate to 1 expensive one.

umbrella(s), trolley pass, self-defense lessons
posted by thylacine

Make sure she knows they're called street cars in new orleans. And ignore advice from anyone that calls the street cars trolleys.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:26 PM on May 22, 2008

As said many times, it depends on the coffee shop. But in my experience most have no problems with it. Probably because almost every single dog I've seen in a coffee shop has been amazingly well behaved, almost unnoticeable. Much better than most young children who are probably as dirty as the dog.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:55 PM on March 21, 2008

He doesn't want to break up, he just wants to take a step back from the relationship and just see eachother a few times a week or whenever he's not doing his music stuff.

He might not want to break up with you, but he certainly wants to know what it's like to not have you around (except for the few times a week he will 'see' you... which is code for something else, but I'm sure you know that). So now you're going to have to play the waiting game to see... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:14 PM on March 17, 2008

3 objects or maybe 4 objects are doable in a month.

3 in a month? As someone else said, that should take an hour or two. If it takes you longer than a day to juggle 3 objects it's time to move on.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 7:35 AM on March 3, 2008

2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner is a really bad call.

Depends on his hair. For some people, sure, 2 in 1 doesn't do the job. For me, it makes no difference. So not only is it logical and reasonable it saves money.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 8:40 AM on February 28, 2008

I love omnifocus, but if you're using it without subscribing to GTD you're fighting it's natural tendencies. Things would be a much better choice.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:28 PM on February 25, 2008

Other than a signing event you're going to need luck. The more you hang around the team, before games, after games, at the hotel when they travel, the better chance you'll have.

I would have your son write to a Japanese newspaper with the story of a 9 year old boy trying to get his autograph.

There are a million 9 year old kids wanting his autograph. There's a million 6 years olds that are even cuter. No paper is going to be interested in that story.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:54 PM on February 9, 2008

Another vote for the missing manual. Yes, the mac ui is wonderful, but you'll learn quicker and more with a guide.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:59 AM on February 9, 2008

After trying to make GTD work for me for almost three years, and then yesterday reading how a number of people at Lifehacker have given up on it, I'm wondering what plan B could be.

I don't have an answer for you. Picking a system is such a personal choice. However, most of the comments in that lifehacker thread are crap (as several in the thread also basically stated). It sounds like most of them have no idea what GTD is. They're just spouting off... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:55 AM on February 6, 2008

Leo Babauta of Zenhabits has pointed out how over-complicated GTD is and proposed his own cut-down version, Zen-To-Done. Anyway, it's far better to treat GTD as a loose scaffold or set of techniques.

I disagree with the first part. It's as complicated as you make it. If someone makes gtd too complicated, that's partly their problem. You can use gtd with something like task paper and it's not complicated at all. Projects broken down the their smallest... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:09 PM on February 6, 2008

One last comment and I'll back out (not trying to take over).

This:

I come back to the fact that it's much simpler to just all that stuff in my head,

Is about as opposite of the GTD philosophy as it could possibly be. The very base of GTD is getting everything OUT of your head so that you're clear to act.

And this:

Rather than trying to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 3:40 PM on February 6, 2008

There are other, less high-powered albeit cheaper choices including Yojimbo. However, I'm troubled by these systems using proprietary storage, sticking everything in their own custom database.
posted by outlier at 2:04 PM

It's not proprietary. It's an SQLite database. SQLite is about as open as can be.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:46 PM on February 6, 2008

Scanning into something like yojimbo would be pretty simple.

Not cheap, but there's DevonThink, which coupled with a scanner, would be pretty simple to use, once you set it up for her.

That's like taking a spaceship to the corner store. Way too complicated, way too much power.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:13 AM on January 23, 2008

I was in the FQ and downtown less than a few weeks ago. Things are definitely not ideal. But it's not a war zone, not yet.

I was there a few weeks ago, mainly hanging out in the french quarter, and it wasn't all that different than pre-katrina. Always felt safe, plenty going on. Of course, you have to keep to well traveled streets at night, but it's always been that way in new orleans. In other words, I completely disagree with the comment I quoted.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 2:08 AM on January 23, 2008

Out in the country it's more Southern-feeling, but Florida reminds me more of Texas than Alabama.

Except for northern florida, which is almost identical to alabama. Florida is more than disney world and miami.

Maybe it's just where I'm from but I saw a lot more obvious and blatant racism (such as overhearing people in public) than I ever have in any of the many parts of TX I've spent time in.
posted by... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:35 PM on January 5, 2008

From what you've told us no, it's not racist. The tone, what came before the statement or after could change that. Of course, your "white southern lady" line with the stereotype you're invoking is much closer to offensive than what she said. She's either racist or not, and the region of the U.S. she was born doesn't add or take away from that.

Yeah, it's certainly kind of rude, and yeah, since she was a Southern lady (as I myself am), I see where... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 6:34 PM on December 29, 2007

I've heard rumors that Leopard is much better at handling video compared to Tiger.

I have a relatively new macbook with leopard installed and the fans go crazy with anything flash, so I don't think that's the answer.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 6:17 PM on December 10, 2007

Toll charges will be minimal - between $1 and $3 with a max of three or four times, from Nola through Alabama.

I'm not sure what the poster is saying here. There's no tolls on I-10 from nola to alabama unless I've lost my mind (which does happen).

I-10 bridge at Pensacola (Escambia Bay) is under construction.

Unless something else is going on this won't affect you. A year ago it would... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 3:33 PM on November 28, 2007 marked best answer

The tolls I know of in New Orleans/metro area would be on the Westbank and on the northshore, which you probably won't come across. Have fun!

O.k. That makes sense. So to the original poster, you won't have any tolls at least to tallahassee (I haven't driven to orlando in years) unless you get pretty far out into new orleans. I drive 10 to visit new orleans often and I've never run into a toll, so I doubt you will either.

Most... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:57 PM on November 29, 2007

Lot's of good suggestions. I like paulsc's the best.

Lambert's "Home of Throwed Rolls" in Foley, AL was voted the most gluttonous restaurant on Food Network.

It's also touristy as hell (just so you know since you wanted non-touristy suggestions).
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:01 AM on November 23, 2007

Beware the ice cream suggestion. As other's have pointed out some chemo will make your friend especially sensitive to cold. I'm talking really sensitive. My mother went through a period where she couldn't touch anything in the fridge nor drink anything that wasn't room temperature.

For her an iPod loaded with her favorite music was great. She says it makes the time go by quicker. She also sometimes takes a dvd player, but the iPod is so much easier to use.

Good luck.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 3:18 PM on November 21, 2007

You're only 2 and half hours from the gulf coast of alabama and pensacola (florida).

Will it be safe for the two of us (22 and 23 female) to travel alone in a car in more rural areas, or should we stick to the major cities?

Take the same precautions you'd take in the north, or west, or anyplace you might travel. Remember, the south isn't known for its large cities, so keeping away from rural areas means missing much there is to... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 12:38 PM on November 14, 2007

Since you're asking, I'd get a mac. I switched and never regretted it. It doesn't mean they're perfect, or better. It's just overall a better experience for me. You could get a mac and hate it. I think for the majority of people a mac is the better choice, but there's not guarantee that you'll be in the majority.

Between my wife and I we have two laptops and a desktop. I have a Mac at work. Of the three PCs none have ever been taken in for a repair. The Mac has.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 7:49 AM on November 8, 2007

The only real selling point is the brand and the integrated camera

And the OS. You're missing the entire point most people switch to the mac. It's nice hardware plus the OS they want to use. Again, believing that most people would use a macbook simply because of the brand is insulting.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 6:52 PM on November 12, 2007

Jeep Wrangler (the 4-door one)

I was going to say jeep also, but not the 4 door part. The 2 door has already proven itself to be a classic. Old jeeps are everywhere and wanted.

The 4 door might become a classic, or it might be unpopular and die. If the potential to be a classic is all you care about you'd have to be a fool to pick the 4 door over the 2.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:45 PM on November 10, 2007

My problem is that most stuff I can think of is already being done at an unreachably good level. Sports? Deadspin. Politics? Instapundit. Daily Kos. Etc. Community blog? MeFi. Internet/Tech? Lifehacker. Gizmodo. Etc.

Just give it up. With that attitude (those sites are perfect, there is no room for another angle) you're doomed. Let it expire.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 10:38 PM on November 10, 2007

You're getting a lot of good advice, and nothing you asked is rocket science, but you have so many questions you really should go to your local bookstore and buy a book on blogging.

That's not learning web development, it's learning the very basics. A little effort would bring most of your answers. Even with all the responses here you're still going to run into problems.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 11:33 AM on September 26, 2007

then please forward the entire proceeds from the sale of your domain to the ACLU, EFF, or democtatic candidate of your choice.

Oh please. If you sell the domain and can use the money to help pay off your house, get out of debt, or pay for your children's education, do it. I doubt you'd be asking this question if you were independently wealthy. And if you are, give it to a pediatrics cancer research group or something along those lines.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 1:33 PM on September 21, 2007

I don't have an answer, but I used cork'd. Unless you can't find anything else I'd pass. It has almost nothing you're looking for.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 1:13 PM on September 20, 2007

As others have said, not all flip flops are created equal. I don't ever remember having to learn anything special to keep them on, so I'd try several kinds/style until you find one that fits.

But then again, when you live in a place where heat indexes during the summer reach 110 easily, you basically wear them from birth and tell the snobs to go to hell. As long as you're not wearing them with a suit feel free to ignore them.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 1:12 PM on September 20, 2007

I'd be surprised a debit card, in 2007, is news to anyone. Then again, people still pull out check books in grocery lines, so maybe so. Just remember, debit cards won't help your credit.

At least on the Visa debit card I have, it works anywhere that can take a Visa credit card. There are no problems online.

I use a debit card everywhere and your pretty much correct, but there are exceptions. One is renting a car, where many... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 8:13 AM on September 3, 2007

You've got a lot of good answers, so I'll just chime in on a few of the comments.

Now, as clearly the best team in baseball, they might not make the playoffs.

The yankees are in first in the wild card race. If they don't make the playoffs, they're not the best team in baseball (I'll ignore the ridiculousness of claiming they're "clearly" the best team now).

Claiming that the best team in... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 8:31 PM on August 31, 2007

justgary, you took my bait and bit. Ok, I'll bite back. which team is better than the Yankees right now?

Right now, at this moment, you might be right. They're playing great baseball. I'm not arguing that. But next week that could change.

You said that the best team in baseball might not make the playoffs. If the yankees don't make the playoffs, that doesn't mean the best team didn't make the playoffs.... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 9:43 PM on August 31, 2007

Whenever anyone asks, my advice is to stay with Windows XP...
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 5:54 PM on August 24, 2007

It sounds like it would be worth it to wait a couple months to maximize my money's worth

Well, you could say that to eternity. Unless money is not a problem it's always best to wait until you simply can't wait anymore. There's always something a 'couple months' away that would maximize your money's worth.
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 9:21 AM on August 24, 2007

Larger water fountains can actually be quite loud, probably enough for what you want it for. I wouldn't dismiss it so quickly.

Install a loud exhaust fan, surely the most subtle way of generating a lot of cover noise AND it servers another purpose.
posted by Cosine

Which is exactly what he said he doesn't want to do.

They could sing this song (YouTube, via konolia/bunnyfire).... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 1:57 AM on August 17, 2007

Keep in mind the white of the MacBook soon becomes the dingy-gray yellow of the MacBook.

I think that was mainly earlier mac books. Mine gets a little dingy around the wrist rest. My gf who got one later doesn't have that problem at all. But it is a risk, as are finger prints all over the black mac book.

You put 'mac' under cons, which could mean many things (the OS?), so as big a mac fan as I am and as much as wouldn't use... [more]
posted to Ask Metafilter by justgary at 6:43 PM on August 14, 2007