What kind of Jazz is The Three Little Bops and why can't I find anything similar?
posted to Ask Metafilter by esereth at 2:14 PM on July 17, 2008 (17 comments)

What kind of options do I have for a gadget of some kind that can capture bits of text from a book or magazine? I read a lot and always take notes, highlight, underline, note page numbers to refer back to, all these things to use for reference later on. But actually copying paragraphs into a notebook takes time, highlighting and underlining doesn't really help as I have to go back to the book - but rarely do. Since I keep so much information on my computer, I have wondered if there are small devices (mini-scanners?) that can somehow capture a few lines of text and store it as a .jpg or something. It seems as if I have seen or heard of these but I really don't know what to look for. By the way, I have used Jott to read a paragraph and have it in my email as transcribed text. That's nice, but I don't want to make a phone call every time I want to capture some text. As always, thanks in advance!
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gerard Sorme at 3:43 PM on July 16, 2008 (12 comments)

What are some exceptionally well-performed audiobooks?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Ambrosia Voyeur at 1:24 PM on July 7, 2008 (77 comments)

I don't want to be a liar anymore but I don't know how to stop.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Anonymous at 6:27 AM on July 2, 2008 (24 comments)

How do I get people to respect my phobia? How do I make them stop antagonizing me by showing me the thing I'm afraid of?
posted to Ask Metafilter by IndigoRain at 12:28 AM on June 28, 2008 (55 comments)

Can I patent a sandwich? I may have just invented the best sandwich ever, and before I reveal the recipe I want to know it's safe from those would attempt to misuse it's power for evil.
posted to Ask Metafilter by Dillonlikescookies at 8:39 PM on June 21, 2008 (51 comments)

Looking for decently written, page-turning historical fiction.
posted to Ask Metafilter by banjo_and_the_pork at 6:20 AM on June 15, 2008 (66 comments)

Is the Eugen Weber lecture series 'The Western Tradition' available via podcast?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Asherah at 9:30 PM on June 11, 2008 (2 comments)

Where can I take a nap in NYC?
posted to Ask Metafilter by twins named Lugubrious and Salubrious at 11:15 AM on June 3, 2008 (16 comments)

What are some of the better places to buy used Macs? What are good models to buy? I'd like something that can run OS X and still has some life left in it, but also hoping to keep the cost down.
posted to Ask Metafilter by OTA at 3:56 AM on May 31, 2008 (8 comments)

Amazing movies of 2008? Has there been any? What have I missed?
posted to Ask Metafilter by extrabox at 4:56 AM on May 23, 2008 (38 comments)

Best book for a beginner to learn C? I've never learned a programming language, but I'm hoping to learn C over the summer. My friend, a computer science student, is going to teach me as he learns it. We would like a textbook or reference book or work book of some kind. What would be a good choice?
posted to Ask Metafilter by asparagrass at 10:44 PM on May 21, 2008 (22 comments)

What's the big deal with JL Austin's "How To Do Things with Words"?
posted to Ask Metafilter by limon at 8:04 PM on May 20, 2008 (10 comments)

Last night, I spent an hour reading the crazy, hilarious stories posted here. One hour was not enough. I need more davesecretaryatwork - or at least, more like him.
posted to Ask Metafilter by yeoja at 9:49 AM on May 19, 2008 (23 comments)

Can I train myself to tolerate throat cultures?
posted to Ask Metafilter by bluekrauss at 7:22 AM on May 14, 2008 (14 comments)

How can I find a drop-dead simple way of creating Regular Expression strings without having to learn all the underlying mechanics?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jmnugent at 3:47 AM on May 12, 2008 (35 comments)

ProCon.org is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit public charity that has no government affiliations of any kind. On it, you can find unbiased information on the Pros and Cons of issues ranging from the the use of medical marijuana to whether milk really does do a body good. They use a system of theoretical credibility to give weight to cited arguments and opinions, and offer 1-minute overviews, top 10 Pro/Cons, Summaries, Little-known facts, and even extensive glossaries for each subject. They are also following the 2008 election.
posted to MetaFilter by pedmands at 6:04 PM on May 10, 2008 (27 comments)

TM without the ™. When he's not directing one of the best movies of the year or sitting on intersections with cows, David Lynch is a vocal advocate of Transcendental Meditation. In his new book Catching the Big Fish, he talks about the Box and the Key, meeting Fellini, the Suffocating Rubber Clown Suit, why he doesn't do DVD commentaries--and TM, which he calls "the experience that does everything." If you're intrigued by TM but sketched out by the organization and the $2,500 fee, perhaps you'd like to know that there is a cheap, downloadable alternative.
posted to MetaFilter by muckster at 1:27 PM on December 3, 2006 (35 comments)

Joanna Connors, a theatre critic, was raped on an empty stage. She tells her story in vivid, lucid detail-- then traces her rapist's twisted family history. One of the best pieces of journalism-- or writing, for that matter-- I've read for ages. Lots of resources for survivors and their families, as well.
posted to MetaFilter by Maias at 2:13 PM on May 6, 2008 (124 comments)

I love history, and I love adventure. What real-life historical adventurers were awesome, and have books written about them worth reading?
posted to Ask Metafilter by WidgetAlley at 12:28 PM on May 5, 2008 (40 comments)

What are some of your absolute favourite online essays, articles and other pieces of non-fiction writing?
posted to Ask Metafilter by turgid dahlia at 4:21 PM on May 1, 2008 (49 comments)

Does anyone remember "Non-Jokes" from National Lampoon magazine?
posted to Ask Metafilter by newfers at 2:04 PM on April 24, 2008 (15 comments)

What are some interesting, uncommon "vocabulary" words that you use regularly or semi-regularly?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Metroid Baby at 1:24 PM on April 22, 2008 (90 comments)

Where do I find FLASH programmers, preferably offshore (AKA cheaper)?
posted to Ask Metafilter by yoyo_nyc at 5:37 PM on April 21, 2008 (6 comments)

So, I've seen Sagan's Cosmos. I've seen The Universe. I've listened to Feynman's lectures on physics. What's next?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Optamystic at 6:39 PM on April 19, 2008 (12 comments)

Flash problem: I know it's just me, but...variables don't always seem to be passed in URL query strings.
posted to Ask Metafilter by maxwelton at 1:34 AM on April 17, 2008 (4 comments)

Gormenghast, that is, the main massing of the original stone, taken by itself would have displayed a certain ponderous architectural quality were it possible to have ignored the circumfusion of those mean dwellings that swarmed like an epidemic around its outer walls.
posted to MetaFilter by steerpike at 5:19 AM on April 16, 2008 (57 comments)

Finally available on CD is the Original Cast Recording of Sondheim's Evening Primrose. Although other recordings of the score have been made available, this is the first time that the original cast will be heard on a publically released recording.
posted to MetaFilter by bookwo3107 at 11:02 AM on April 16, 2008 (7 comments)

The Monty Hall Problem has struck again, and this time it’s not merely embarrassing mathematicians. If the calculations of a Yale economist are correct, there’s a sneaky logical fallacy in some of the most famous experiments in psychology." The NY Times' John Tierney reports on new research into cognitive dissonance as examined through the famous Monty Hall Problem. [A previous MetaFilter thread about the Monty Hall Problem: Let's Make A Deal!]
posted to MetaFilter by amyms at 6:10 PM on April 8, 2008 (119 comments)

What is your favourite blog?
posted to Ask Metafilter by feelinglistless at 1:21 PM on March 30, 2008 (53 comments)

How does one fidget with a purpose?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Stagecraft at 1:31 PM on March 24, 2008 (17 comments)

Mailing list, forum, or other community for advanced actionscript coders?
posted to Ask Metafilter by malphigian at 2:45 PM on March 20, 2008 (5 comments)

"How many brain scientists have the chance to study a stroke from the inside?" In 1996, Jill Bolte Taylor did (previously), and she recently gave a moving TED talk on her experience. If that merely whetted your appetite for more brainy videos, check out the complete archive of UCSD TV's Grey Matters, a series of lectures on the brain. And for dessert, The Parts of the Brain, as performed by Pinky and The Brain. [via Neurophilosophy]
posted to MetaFilter by natabat at 9:44 PM on March 12, 2008 (14 comments)

What's the advantage of using radians instead of degrees? I've never had a satisfactory answer to this. In high school, we always used degrees to measure angles and starting in university we switch to radians. Is there really any benefit to using radians?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Proginoskes at 5:52 PM on March 9, 2008 (15 comments)

To The Best Of Our Knowledge is one of the most wide-ranging and literate public radio shows in the US, a two-hour "radio salon" featuring leisurely exploration of weekly themes like No Smoking, Identity Crisis, Weekend, and The Mind, Music, and Math. Host Jim Fleming approaches these big ideas through the works of authors - journalists of all stripes, memoirists, poets, fiction writers, essayists. Five years' worth of shows are available on audio archives; you can also search the impressive list of authors by name, or subscribe to the podcast.
posted to MetaFilter by Miko at 9:13 AM on February 27, 2008 (17 comments)

I love reading sites like kottke.org and Neatorama (and, of course, Metafilter). It's exciting - I never know what I'll come across next. What are some other sites that have lots of interesting stuff, preferably on a daily basis (but less often is fine as long as the content is high quality)?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jasminerain at 1:14 PM on February 21, 2008 (40 comments)

Resources for recreating the look and feel of 17th century books (their title pages specifically?)
posted to Ask Metafilter by fire&wings at 4:35 PM on February 19, 2008 (9 comments)

What is the most useful book you own?
posted to Ask Metafilter by shotgunbooty at 10:01 AM on February 16, 2008 (104 comments)

What do you look at/notice, as you wander through the world, that I probably ignore?
posted to Ask Metafilter by wittgenstein at 12:15 PM on February 12, 2008 (130 comments)

The Mechanical Universe...and Beyond is a critically-acclaimed series of 52 thirty-minute videotape programs covering the basic topics of an introductory university physics course. This well produced and highly informative 52 episode series, hosted by David Goodstein of Caltech, is available as Video on Demand (Note: simple registration required to view videos).
posted to MetaFilter by FuturisticDragon at 8:52 AM on February 6, 2008 (28 comments)

Music in 3/4 time: Any suggestions?
posted to Ask Metafilter by long haired lover from liverpool at 5:40 AM on February 5, 2008 (37 comments)

What do people do in public bathrooms (besides the obvious) that takes so long? Why am I quicker at it?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Gucky at 9:03 AM on February 1, 2008 (46 comments)

Basic Concepts in Science: A List A regularly updated list of blog entries explaining the basics of science and mathematics.
posted to MetaFilter by LeeJay at 1:27 PM on January 25, 2008 (16 comments)

Where can I learn about music history and music theory for free?
posted to Ask Metafilter by Chris4d at 10:00 PM on January 16, 2008 (26 comments)

Give me your best games to play while waiting in line, going on long car trips, or on airplanes. Requirements: 2 or preferably more players, minimal, self-made or no equipment necessary (deck of cards is OK), and fun! So far I have: rock/scissors/paper tournament, Mafia/Werewolf, 20 questions. I need more!
posted to Ask Metafilter by agent99 at 11:12 AM on January 15, 2008 (45 comments)

I have a web site. I want to write a book based on the topic. I have publishers/agents asking to talk to me, but I don't know if I'm ready. For one thing, I'm not convinced traditional publication is best — I'm intrigued by self-publishing and e-books. I'm looking for general advice: What are the pros and cons of each method? It seems that unless I'm lucky, traditional publishing offers the lowest dollar return. But are there other, intangible benefits I'm missing? Exposure? Having somebody who knows what they're doing guide me along? And how do I approach a discussion with agents/publishers so as to get the best deal?
posted to Ask Metafilter by jdroth at 12:56 PM on January 7, 2008 (13 comments)

What do people do with old videotapes?
posted to Ask Metafilter by A-Train at 10:44 AM on January 4, 2008 (13 comments)

When you're in NYC and it's winter, where do you take your food to eat when the place you're buying from doesn't have seating?
posted to Ask Metafilter by soma lkzx at 6:57 AM on January 4, 2008 (14 comments)

I'm looking for any good Nintendo DS games that are unusual, particularly innovative or just plain weird. In a genre of their own kinds of stuff.
posted to Ask Metafilter by krisjohn at 2:53 PM on January 3, 2008 (19 comments)

Dan Simmons' amazing book, The Terror, has me now longing for more survival/failure to survive stories. What can you recommend?
posted to Ask Metafilter by TochterAusElysium at 5:45 PM on December 29, 2007 (29 comments)