Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with recommendations and reviews

Release the Stars!

mrhaydel — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 11:37:50 -0800

Where might I find a list of Publishers Weekly's starred reviews? I'm not always one to trust PW's judgement of every book I ever buy, but I will say that if I notice a book I'm interested in on Amazon has a starred review from PW, I'm at least a little more intrigued in reading it.

Which lead me to wanting to find a list of the books that PW has given starred reviews to, preferably one that's updated on a regular basis.

However, my Google-fu has failed me. It would seem that I could look through a number of reviews on PW's site, but, manually culling through them doesn't exactly get me what or where I want, not to mention the fact that I don't think they even allow (free) access to their archived reviews.

So, MeFites, does anyone know of a place out there to find such information?

Help me research a new bike

thelost — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:02:07 -0800

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? I am looking for good websites that review bikes, but recommendations regarding possible bikes would be welcome too.

I want a new hybrid with slicks. I bought my last bike 7 years ago so I feel a bit clueless. What do I need to consider, other than budget? I am going to put aside £400.

All advice very welcome. Please ask any questions if there is anything obvious I haven't stated.

Off the shelf HTPC recommendations?

MaxVonCretin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:02:40 -0800

Does anyone have any recommendations on off-the-shelf WMC HTPCs? I've been searching high and low, and virtually all the information on the intertubes seems to be about building HTPCs. I know that's the more cost-effective route, but I just don't have the time. Here's what I'm itchin' for: - Stereo component form factor
- HD Recording Capable
- Oodles of storage & memory (min 1TB/4GB)
- Blu-Ray drive/ DVD-RW
- Integrated cable card
- Super-quiet! (perhaps liquid-cooled)
- On-board wi-fi
- Wireless remote/keyboard

I guess I like the idea of having a small touchscreen on the unit itself, thereby eliminating the need to turn on the big TV every time you want to change the music. But does anyone have any opinions on the relative merits of the touchscreen?

I've checked out the websites for VidaBox, VelocityMicro, Niveus, Alienware Hangar 18 - but don't really know anything about those brands. Anyone have any good experience with them - or can recommend others? I can't seem to find any comparison reviews for such off-the-shelf systems.

Any insights, suggestions much appreciated.

Classical music recommendation site with just the right touch

Gyan — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:38:20 -0800

Name some good online sources for recommendations and also reviews of recorded performances of classical music. I know of the following sources:

On Usenet, rec.music.classical.recordings and occasionally its parent group.
Classical.Net
Gramophone
BBC Radio 3
MusicWeb
Classical Notes
Fanfare

There are problems with all the above sources, as far as I can tell.

Ideally, I should be able to search for a work, say, the 'Kreutzer' sonata, and be provided with a selection of popular recommendations, alongwith some brief yet incisive observations on each.

Among the sites listed above, there's either just a singular non-annotated listing or it's just a personal review rather than a consensus or the more popular recommendation. Finally, some sites just don't have flexible search engines, meaning you have to manually browse through the archives.

Favorite wines under $20?

callmejay — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 20:20:49 -0800

What are your favorite wines under $20?

Webzines (besides Pitchfork) that cover underground music well?

Quartermass — Mon, 22 Dec 2003 07:26:47 -0800

I read Pitchfork every day for their pretentious (yet current) album and single reviews, as well as their often well put together special editions (such as the current year-end edition). My question is this: are there any other webzines that cover underground music to the same extent that are worth a daily visit?

Is The Rabbit wine opener any good?

elwoodwiles — Mon, 15 Dec 2003 20:15:52 -0800

So I've been struggling with the christmas present issue - What to get for my parents? I've decided on a Rabbit wine opener, but it has mixed reviews. Does anyone have this device or an equivalent wine tool?