New laptop choices - Fujitsu? Sony? Dell? HP? I know what I want in a notebook, but trying to figure out which maker will best meet my needs. I'm an English and Theatre teacher soon to move to Norway and I don't think my old laptop will last much longer. Looking for a Core 2 Duo and up, a 4-500 gig hard drive, Nividia or ATI graphics, a decent amount of RAM about a 16" screen. [more inside]
posted by aimeel on Jul 4, 2009 - 27 answers

Can I ask my professor to recommend me to a university that she tried to sue (without destroying my chances at acceptance)? [more inside]
posted by oinopaponton on Jun 30, 2009 - 13 answers

I'm looking for music similar to Within Temptation (symphonic metal, preferably female-fronted). Should be easy, but there's a catch... [more inside]
posted by CrazyGabby on Jun 26, 2009 - 23 answers

ScreenplayFilter: What are the best screenplays that you've ever read? [more inside]
posted by the NATURAL on Jun 25, 2009 - 18 answers

I'm pretty into photography. I have a pretty giant SLR that I carry around with me everywhere, with an external flash and huge telephoto lens. But it's destroying my back, and I need a small point-and-shoot for off days. I was hoping people could recommend new small digital cameras. I want a camera that has a really fast recording speed and takes relatively good pictures (with some amount of depth to them). I don't mind if it's a little more expensive, although I'd like something light weight and pocket size. And underwater function would be cool, or at least water resistance. Any ideas?
posted by slowcat on Jun 19, 2009 - 21 answers

Can anyone recommend songs that sound like "Carol Brown" by Flight of the Conchords? [more inside]
posted by Shesthefastest on Jun 11, 2009 - 4 answers

Recommend me some books like these, please (more after the jump) [more inside]
posted by finitejest on Jun 5, 2009 - 14 answers

Where might I find a list of Publishers Weekly's starred reviews? [more inside]
posted by mrhaydel on Jun 2, 2009 - 4 answers

Recommend your favourite books about the ancient world. [more inside]
posted by so much modern time on Jun 1, 2009 - 35 answers

Calling all Minneapolitans - looking for a restaurant recommendation. [more inside]
posted by triggerfinger on May 26, 2009 - 14 answers

Recommendations for an awesome umbrella? [more inside]
posted by kprincehouse on May 25, 2009 - 28 answers

I need to find a helpful book about starting home businesses for my friend. [more inside]
posted by badmoonrising on May 19, 2009 - 6 answers

Please recommend music that is similar in style (as close as possible and working outward from there) to the song Diva Dance from the movie The Fifth Element. I would particularly enjoy similar opera, if that exists. Be sure to recommend groups/bands/singers and, if possible, specific songs as examples. Here is the Diva Dance video for comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0qy3JHz6X0 Thank you very much!
posted by Nox on May 18, 2009 - 9 answers

A weekend in Hamburg, with two parts to it - what's worth doing and seeing? [more inside]
posted by Happy Dave on May 18, 2009 - 4 answers

Asking for a friend: "I am in Chicago attending meetings and a conference. Any tips on good, inexpensive places to eat? I am staying at The Drake, which is right off Michigan Ave. " Any recommendations?
posted by Gee Your Hair Smells Terrific on May 6, 2009 - 33 answers

What colour laser printer should I buy? [more inside]
posted by paduasoy on May 4, 2009 - 9 answers

I'm arriving at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul nine hours before my connecting flight. I was wondering what recommendations people had for how to spend this time? I can't do anything too involved as I need to be back at the airport a few hours before my flight, but I would like to see something of the city! Thank you!
posted by slowcat on May 1, 2009 - 9 answers

PuzzleFilter: What books would you recommend for a sudoku addict who's already worked through a "fiendish"/"super fiendish" sudoku collection and would like to try more challenging puzzles? There seem to be a zillion sudoku books that are available. Please help me narrow down the selection, based on a few other things I'm looking for... [more inside]
posted by macguffin on Apr 30, 2009 - 11 answers

My house needs repairs. What kind(s) of repairmen/craftsmen do I need? Any recommendations North of Boston? [more inside]
posted by JonahBlack on Apr 29, 2009 - 9 answers

MeFi cinemaphiles, where should I start in Ingmar Bergman's filmography? [more inside]
posted by thisjax on Apr 27, 2009 - 19 answers

Wanted: Your favorite comics blogs! [more inside]
posted by EatTheWeak on Apr 23, 2009 - 29 answers

Great ladies running clothes and gear? [more inside]
posted by mintchip on Apr 22, 2009 - 12 answers

Recommend places to eat, drink, relax, and generally take life slow while on vacation in New Orleans, please! [more inside]
posted by little_c on Apr 7, 2009 - 6 answers

What hidden gems can I find in the periodicals archive of my library? [more inside]
posted by Rinku on Apr 6, 2009 - 15 answers

I recently got turned down for a job I thought was a slam dunk, and am now really concerned about the quality of my references. Going forward, is there any way to check the quality of what people would say about me, or negotiate to improve whatever negative opinions they might have? [more inside]
posted by Anonymous on Mar 16, 2009 - 9 answers

How do you discover new books and authors? Netflix tells me what I'd enjoy watching and Pandora helps me find new music. But beyond the slightly random "Amazon Recommends..." I depend on word of mouth to pick my next read. This is slow and unsatisfactory. What's a better way?
posted by TrashyRambo on Mar 7, 2009 - 43 answers

I have 400 classical music tracks on my MP3 player, and I'm sick of all of them. Help me find more! [more inside]
posted by orrnyereg on Mar 5, 2009 - 17 answers

What small, easy-to-carry-around books provide a satisfying introduction to mathematic and scientific fields, topics and/or concepts? [more inside]
posted by shaun uh on Feb 28, 2009 - 15 answers

I'm looking for "a capella" but not the college barbershop type. Examples would be Bjork's Medulla and Camille's Le Fil. [more inside]
posted by vaguelyweird on Feb 17, 2009 - 32 answers

I'm not looking for how-tos, but rather books about people's experiences playing fantasy sports. Any recommendations? [more inside]
posted by TravellingCari on Feb 14, 2009 - 6 answers

My niece loves video games like Okami, Spyro, and Dog Island because they let you control an animal as the main character. Recommendations for more games like this? (Wii/PS2, please) [more inside]
posted by parilous on Feb 10, 2009 - 22 answers

If I love Duke Ellington and John Coltrane's "In a Sentimental Mood," what other jazz songs should I seek? [more inside]
posted by grrarrgh00 on Feb 9, 2009 - 11 answers

What are some small, short books that are easy to read on the train? I really enjoyed Charlotte Bronte's "The Green Dwarf" because it was a small format and a well-written, entertaining and engaging little yarn and it lasted for one trip from my house and the resulting trip back to my house. Do you know of anything else like this? [more inside]
posted by amethysts on Feb 6, 2009 - 24 answers

Excellent short reading? [more inside]
posted by btkuhn on Jan 29, 2009 - 10 answers

How do I ask for a recommendation from leaders in my community group if I don't have a specific need for one? (I am moving away and ending my membership in the group, but not currently job hunting.) [more inside]
posted by inatizzy on Jan 27, 2009 - 2 answers

Any recommendations for an inexpensive (but not cheap) classical guitar? I'm looking in the $150-$250 range here. [more inside]
posted by littlerobothead on Jan 2, 2009 - 9 answers

Fiction or film recommendations with characters that undergo serious catharsis [more inside]
posted by brandnew on Jan 2, 2009 - 28 answers

My bike just broke spectacularly, while I was riding it. I want to research getting a good, new hybrid bike for city riding. Can anyone recommend good websites for research? [more inside]
posted by thelost on Dec 24, 2008 - 15 answers

Can you recommend books about the Caribbean? I'm looking for fiction or non-fiction, though preferably not pirates or tourist tales. [more inside]
posted by the christopher hundreds on Dec 19, 2008 - 22 answers

Are there any books out there that are basically just two people having a conversation and going about their business? Sort of a book version of Before Sunset, or My Dinner with Andre?
posted by Xere on Dec 11, 2008 - 19 answers

What are some movies my mom might enjoy? [more inside]
posted by jschu on Nov 27, 2008 - 50 answers

How do I get into noise music? I like early Sonic Youth, late Tarentel, am very well versed in grind and brutal hardcore, like Team Brick, don't like Oren Ambarchi. I prefer shrieking feedback to long drones, distorted guitars to electronic instruments, beats to no beats. I think I prefer the specific to the abstract. For example, I don't understand minimal techno. [more inside]
posted by maryrosecook on Nov 19, 2008 - 26 answers

Best alternative-music podcasts in Western Europe and Latin America? [more inside]
posted by apollo3000 on Nov 6, 2008 - 4 answers

Please advise me on the best answering machine/cordless phone combo for our home. The cost is not the top concern except inasmuch as I want to buy value for money. [more inside]
posted by Mr. Justice on Oct 30, 2008 - 6 answers

Can/should I ask a TA to write a grad school recommendation for me? [more inside]
posted by suedehead on Oct 27, 2008 - 17 answers

Another "specific music recommendations" thread. [more inside]
posted by LSK on Oct 21, 2008 - 6 answers

Distant Education Recommendations? (esp ones that offer IT BA Programs) I'm looking for any distance education that has teachers, councilors and staff that CARE. A program new or old that is high tech and streaming video feed of lectures would be nice. If you received some distance education that is worth mentioning and you've enjoyed it or even better you've done 2 different schools online. PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Thanks. [more inside]
posted by premo on Oct 15, 2008 - 4 answers

MusicFilter: Mrs. Billtron would like more music like the opening song from HBO's True Blood, "Bad Things" by Jace Everett. She likes the sound of Chris Isaak and Junior Brown, which are the closest things in our mp3 collection, but misses the spooky vampire and warewolve ambience of the theme song. Any suggestions? Suggestions should err on the side of New Orleans rather than Nashville, since she just got back from Louisiana and really misses it.

PS I am really enjoying reading Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale at the moment.
posted by billtron on Oct 11, 2008 - 7 answers

I'm going to be in Vienna from September 26 (early morning) - 29 (afternoon). I'm 18 years old and will be traveling with friends. What should we do/ see? I've been put in charge of figuring all this out, but apart from the obvious tourist things I don't know what's good. I guess I'm looking for more off-the-beaten-path stuff. Thank you! [more inside]
posted by howgenerica on Sep 20, 2008 - 10 answers

I've become very interested in the topic of speciation lately, but I'm having a hard time distinguishing which books would be the best to start with. [more inside]
posted by palindromic on Sep 17, 2008 - 7 answers