Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with recommendations

Green, dependable and affordable home remodeling company in Portland, OR

dchrssyr — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:04:04 -0800

Need help finding a green, reliable & affordable home remodeling company in Portland, OR. I need a lot of work done to my house; new water heater, new windows, heat duct insulation & plumbing. Can anyone recommend a company that does quality work, is environmentally-friendly and is on the affordable side of things? I've had two estimates which were similar but I wanted to get a wider-scale objective opinion about who would be a good company to turn to.

Recommendations of software/hardware combo to scan magazines

Mr.X — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:32:08 -0800

I have 60 to 100 magazines. I want to scan them all completely and then use OCR software so that they would be searchable. I am looking for recommendations on the scanner I should use, as well as the OCR software. I have a flatbed scanner, so with good software, I could probably take the time to do it, but a scanner that would let me feed in several pages at a time would be best. WinXP is the OS of my computer. Ideally, I would want to spend no more then $300, with $500 as an absolute max.

Please tell me what to read!

Janta — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:22:54 -0800

Book-recommendation-filter: Can you help me find something to read? Parameters to follow. I'm desperate for new reading material. I typically read SF/Fantasy and some mysteries (innovative and edgy, I know), and lately I've found myself reading more non-fiction, simply because it seems like most of the SF/F out there has a lot of hackneyed, overblown prose and predictable plots. What I'd really like to find is SF/Fantasy that plays with the genre's conventions a little bit, I think -- actually, I'm interested in any book that twists the conventions of its genre. Additionally, I prefer books with a good deal of action, and absolutely love it when the characters engage in "witty banter" (it should be genuinely smart dialog, though). I'm not super-fond of hard/military SF, though if it focuses on the people more than the science and tech, I'll give it a try.

SF/F that I've enjoyed recently: everything by Terry Pratchett, most of Lois Bujold's books, Scott Lynch, John Scalzi, John Varley, Charles Stross, Guy Kay, George Martin, and Ken Scholes.

Bonus-round: I just re-read Soon I WIll Be Invincible; do you know of any books that mess around with the whole superhero/supervillain/metahuman concept?

Thanks, MeFites!

p.s. -- I've done the usual googling, looked at past questions, tried BookSeer and What Should I Read Next, and haven't had much luck.

Holiday Recommendations for Denver?

soupy — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:56:55 -0800

Denver filter: My boyfriend and I will be in the Denver area from Dec 25 - Jan 1st. I would love Holiday/ winter activity recommendations for my boyfriend and I (mid-20s and early 30s) and activity recommendations for us and my parents. I lived in Denver ex-urbs for many years with my family, but we were never around for Christmas / New Year's.

Your favorite Denver area winter time activities would be swell as well. We live in Seattle. Casa Bonita is already on our list.

Songs about redemption other than "Redemption Song?"

the_bone — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 16:37:25 -0800

I'd love suggestions for a song about redemption that isn't Marley's "Redemption Song." I was just asked to sing at a benefit dinner my friend is organizing this Saturday... it's for a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that provides housing and reentry support to women who were formally incarcerated. She requested that I sing a song about "redemption" and I immediately thought of "Redemption Song," but realized while practicing that the opening lyrics make it a potentially problematic song for a white guy to sing. (Specifically: Old pirates, yes, they rob I/Sold I to the merchant ships/Minutes after they took I/From the bottomless pit.) Even though I think it works on a metaphorical level I'm worried that my singing those lyrics would come off as insensitive and douchey. Plus, I don't want people to give the friend who asked me to sing any grief over it.

So, my question is twofold:

1. Am I overthinking this? My main objective here is to be sensitive, but I wouldn't mind being convinced that singing Marley's song is fine (mostly because it's fucking gorgeous and fits my voice ridiculously well).

2. Assuming that I go with my instinct and find another song, any ideas? It can be religious or not, although I'd prefer that songs with religious/spiritual overtones be appropriate for an interfaith sort of event. I'll be accompanying myself on either guitar or piano so it ideally wouldn't be something too difficult to play. It can be vocally challenging though. Range doesn't really matter; I'm a tenor with a wide range and an excellent falsetto, and would transpose whatever song I pick into a suitable range anyway. (To give you idea of range: I was practicing "Redemption Song" up a step, in A, and it worked nicely.) An "outside the box" suggestion would be ideal.

Thanks!

Alcohol for the New

divabat — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:07:52 -0800

I've just started drinking alcohol this year. Help me find a cocktail/drink that doesn't taste like cough syrup. So far the only real alcoholic drink that I know I like is sparkling wine (bubbly), whether pink or white. I've had a version of a Long Island Ice Tea at Wagamama that was all right. I don't like alcopops; they taste too much like cough syrup. Whiskey and bourbon are much the same. I did plow through a box of sherry chocolates but I don't know how sherry tastes like on its own. I don't like beer, though Beez Kneez (honey beer) tastes OK.

I see my friends ordering all sorts of mixed drinks and I don't even know where to begin! I like chocolate, vanilla, Nutella, coffee-type flavours, and have been curious about liquer hot chocs/coffees. I'm not a big fan of fruity flavours, except if it's melon or banana (milkshake-ish) or lemonade. Flower flavours are good, and I really like ginger ale/ginger beer.

What would you recommend? Are there any drinks that don't taste overwhelmingly like cough syrup? I don't think I have a pretty high tolerance for alcohol (2 and a bit glasses of champagne and I'm already wobbly) so nothing crazy, but I'm up for experimenting.

Recommendations for DJ samples/songs ala Fatboy Slim?

heatherfl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:56 -0800

My husband mixes dance music using Fruity Loops. I want to get him some CDs for Christmas for samples -- particularly stuff that sounds like Fatboy Slim. Help? I can buy loops already sampled or I can buy songs for that he can sample himself, it doesn't matter.

This song is a good overview of what FBS sounds like and what I'm looking for:
Mad Flava

There's a lot of retro sounding piano and brass, some funky bass/guitar, syncopated percussion, a bit of synth/electronica, and non-rap but rhythmically interesting vocals. If you're familiar with Fatboy Slim, you know what I mean!

FYI, I already got him "The Ultimate DJ Sample Box" which has actual Fatboy Slim samples. Just looking for supplemental goodies now.

So what should I get for him, music experts?

Thanks so much!

I can't be running low on books already?!

titantoppler — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 23:36:08 -0800

MeFites, help! Need more books to read. /book-recommendation-filter I'm currently about halfway through my to-read list, and want some book recommendations. Help me out here, MeFites!

Books that I've enjoyed thoroughly:
- The Historian, by Elizabeth Kostova
- The Hour I First Believed, by Wally Lamb
- Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides
- The Cider House Rules, by John Irving
- Child 44, by Tom Rob Smith
- The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, by David Wroblewski
- The Conscience of a Liberal, by Paul Krugman
- Freakonomics, by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
- Hot, Flat and Crowded, by Thomas Friedman

Books on my to-read list:
- Superfreakonomics, by Stephen Dubner and Steven Levitt
- What the Dog Saw, by Malcolm Gladwell
- Everything is Illuminated, by Jonathan Safran Foer
- We Need to Talk About Kevin, by Lionel Shriver

There are of course, other books that I've read and liked, but these by far are my favourites. Your input is much appreciated!

What's some quality surrealistic humor from Japan?

jtron — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 19:32:30 -0800

Recommendations for surreal Japanese humor? Although I've been hep to the anime since Battle of the Planets in '78, there're no anime/manga fans in my peer group to get recommendations from. I dig the brooding minimalism of Gatchaman, and the beauty of Miyazaki, but what's really been floating my boat is the surreal humor of Azumanga Daioh and Cromartie High School (and Junko Mizuno's manga, but not much has made it over here). Is there anything else out there I should check out that's sorta the same flavor*?

Note: this doesn't mean I'm looking for yonkoma, or high school stories, necessarily - the weird laughs are what I'm looking for. Anime or manga OK, and I'm OK with recommendations of stuff that's not commercially available in the US so long as there's a fansub out there somewhere.

*I also like Kure Kure Takora, movies like Funky Forest, Karaoke Terror, and Wild Zero, and DDT Pro Wrestling, if that gives you more of an idea of my wavelength

Toby Chew? Toby Wong? Movies w/ gangsters?

beautifulcheese — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:44:13 -0800

I'm on a gangster movie binge. Reservoir Dogs, Boondock Saints, RocknRolla (basically all of Guy Ritchie's stuff). I need more in this vein to fulfil my craving for cool men doing violence in innovative ways. I'd like recommendations for modern movies preferably without the Italian mafia. Bonus points for United Kingdom focused films.

fantasy novels with strong women characters

raw sugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:35:20 -0800

recommend me fantastic fantasy novels or epics with strong female protagonists or characters! help me metafilter. i'm having something of a fantasy reading renaissance, but as an independent, strong-minded woman, so far i've been frustrated by one-dimensional female depictions in a lot of fantasy classics. i'm having trouble connecting to what feels like some kind of "boys club" at times. i don't want to read about the sidelined princess that's an object of longing, the beautiful slave who needs to be rescued, the noblewoman fretting around the castle, the "strong and equal" female magician who doesn't seem to do anything but have the chosen one's babies. i want to read about women who kick ass and/or take names, not just garnish the background with prettiness or grace or whatever. i'm not looking for feminist propaganda with obnoxiously strong or overbearing women and obviously weak men- just works where women are as complex and pivotal to the plot as, say, mists of avalon. when i say strong i mean strong and interesting of character- examples in things i've read which come to mind are lyra in the his dark materials trilogy, sophie in howl's moving castle, angua or susan of the discworld series.

i've already been recommended elizabeth moons' deed of paksenarrion series and garth nix's old kingdom series, but i'm looking for more reads. :)

Need help with Laser Printer recommendation AND forums where I can get good Laser Printer recommendations...

olddogeyes — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:26:00 -0800

Need help with Laser Printer recommendation AND forums where I can get good Laser Printer recommendations... I have a two part question:

1. I am in need of some recommendations on options (brands/models) for a new laser printer. What forums/message boards exist where I can post a message similar to my question below in hopes of getting more recommendations?

2. Here is what I am looking for in a new printer -- can you make any suggestions or recommendations? 1) Must work in a Windows environment - Could either be a stand-alone network printer (must work with Win XP, Vista and v7) or I could share it off of a computer (Vista). We don't have any Macs. 2) Must do both color and monochrome (black and white). 3) Needs to be able to duplex (print on both sides of paper -- usually by a mechanism that turns the paper over). 4) Looking for lowest cost of printing for black -- wouldn't need to print in color that often. 5) Probably will NOT print photos or other special media (like slides, etc). Will only be printing from Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat and Web Browsers. 6) Would like a printer that prints at least 8-10 pages per minute in both color and monochrome. 7) Would like for it to have a manual feed capability so I can print envelopes. 8) Finally, it does NOT need to be multi-function. I have a great stand-alone sheet feed scanner and don't need to send or receive faxes on it. 9) Won't consider a Brother brand product - but will consider any other.

Thanks in advance for your help in either recommending a "laser printer" forum/message board or an actual printer model.

Recommendations for wounded yet likeable men in books.

beautifulcheese — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:21:09 -0800

Book recommendations: Recently I have discovered that I really enjoy a certain type of flawed character in television shows. Think Gregory House on House or Dr. Cal Lightman on Lie to Me. Wounded inside with a tough smart exterior that push people away with sarcasm or slight jerkish behaviour. Help me find examples in literature so I can continue my current obsession when I shut the tv off. I'm not sure if I'm explaining exactly the type of character that I like but that is the closest that I can get to. I've read a previous thread about bad but good characters but it just referred to tv shows.

Any recommendations? Or a way to better word what character type I'm actually looking for to help me search would also be helpful.

straight from the source.

the NATURAL — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:13:57 -0800

Just curious: What DVD commentaries absolutely enhance the movie they're attached to? Thanks for your concern, but I've already seen these two previouslys.

As an aspiring screenwriter (maybe, one day, filmmaker? -- but then, who isn't?), I'm particularly interested in the craft of storytelling and the art of filming (how shots are composed, chosen, etc.). So, while I can't lie that it's funny that X and Y tell hilarious jokes in Z's commentary, I'm more curious from a technical standpoint.

Since this was last done in 2004, maybe skewing this towards DVDs released since then would make this a more timely question, as well.

Thanks, MeFi <4

What are your lesser-known or weird ways of looking for new music?

querty — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:05:21 -0800

What are your lesser-known or weird ways of looking for new music? Besides friends' recommendations, mix tapes, last.fm, review sites/blogs, TV/film song features, and late night talk show musical guests, what are some of your lesser-known or weird ways of searching for new music that others may not know about?

A few of mine:

- Sometimes I search for "recent favourite band + cover" on Youtube and sort them by views to find other new artists who very few people know. Those artists will usually have some of their own original songs available

- Search by lyrics to look for other bands/artists who have written similar words/lines/phrases, example

- Talk to touring bands after their shows and ask some of the band members what they're listening to on the road

Are there any NYC photographers who will do family portraits for a reasonable price?

eggplantia5 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:39:23 -0800

I don't know why photographers' websites are all so terrible, but I am having difficulty looking for a good photographer in New York City who will display a general idea of rates. I want to get some family portraits done (6 adults, one baby), and I want something better than Sears, but something less than $1,000. Google and yelp.com aren't providing me too many options - it seems most want to do just headshots or weddings. I give up on websites that make me click through several pages without letting me easily find contact info or rates.

I would love any specific recommendations for photographers who will do family portraits in New York?

Thanks!

Please help me avoid big slabs of meat and iceberg lettuce.

jeffamaphone — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:49:13 -0800

What is the best place fora foodie to eat in STL? I grew up in STL. Haven't lived there for close to 10 years, but I'm going back soon for a family event. In the time I've been gone, I have to believe that some wonderful, modern restaurants have opened. I would like to eat at one.

Some guidelines:
* I am looking for new, creative, modern, etc.
* Local/fresh/organic and vegetarian options a huge bonus. I pray to the alter of Micheal Pollan and Alice Waters. I'm a card-carrying member of Slow Food.
* No regional cuisine, unless it's really new. This means no BBQ and no thin-crust pizza joints.
* No Italian. I've been everywhere on the hill. I've been to Tony's. I've been to Cafe Napoli.
* Good locations are anywhere along the central corridor: Washington, the Hill, UCity Loop, CWE, Clayton, etc. West county and Bridgeton is acceptable, since I'll be there too.
* Bad locations: Fenton, Ellisville, Wentzville, North Florrisent, Alton, etc.
* Please don't mention Ted Drewes.

E.g. something like Nopa.

Thanks!

Recs for easygoing pediatricians near Ridgefield CT

mccn — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:20:02 -0800

[kidsfilter] Recommendations for easygoing, vegetarian-friendly pediatricians near Ridgefield, CT? Good friends of mine are moving, rather suddenly, to Ridgefield, CT next week. They have two sons, under two years old - one is about 20 months, and the other was born a few weeks ago.

They've asked, since I live in the NY Metro Area, if I could find recommendations for pediatricians within a half hour of the area, who are "ok with vegetarians and cosleeping, not prone to panic, and not married to charts." Neither of the kids has any medical conditions that require specialty care, and both are healthy to my knowledge.

Any suggestions you have to offer would be greatly appreciated!

What is a good book to read about late 60s early 70s England?

AbsoluteDestiny — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 09:59:19 -0800

What is a good book to read about late 60s early 70s England? Non-fiction preferred but well-researched fiction is fine too. Extra points for anything that also includes:

- growing up in the working class
- the music scene
- the north

What is the gift/token of appreciation etiquette for teacher recommendations?

KWittman — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:15:01 -0800

My oldest, a HS senior, is applying to college and we are asking teachers to complete recommendations. Would it be permissible to include a note and small token of appreciation for each teacher in advance of the recommendation? We were thinking of including for each teacher a note of thanks in advance for their time, and an area business discount card that is being sold by one of the school district's sports teams as their fundraiser. The cards cost us $10 each, which we are happy to donate to the sports league. There is no cash value to the user of the card unless or until it's used.

We would obviously follow up with another token of appreciation at a more appropriate point later in the year, but we wondered about the ethics of this. Personally I feel they have enough demands on their time, and a token like this would be appropriate. But, the thought "in advance" of the recommendation brings pause. The "B" word, to wit.

Of course, we never do see the recommendations. What does everyone else think?

I'm too old for this $#!&

the NATURAL — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:30:47 -0800

My bedroom creeps me the #%^* out. What can I do to alleviate my (somewhat) irrational fears? (hacks, consumer products, etc.) I'm 9 months into living in an old, ollllld house -- one with lots of creaks and cracks. Add that to my incessantly hyperactive and paranoid imagination, and I have a lot of trouble sleeping.

For a while at first, I was sleeping with the light on. Then, I ended up taking care of my cousin's dog, and things got a lot better. However, I still have a flagrantly hyperactive imagination. After I saw The Ring and The Grudge in fits of self-masochism, I had trouble sleeping for weeks. Even now, I don't even need to see the previews of movies like Paranormal Activity for me to start getting creeped out. Right now, the dog is sound asleep on the bed, but here I am typing (and jumpy)...

As such, it's not really burglars/criminals/etc. that I worry about (humans, I can deal with), but the imaginary (and not-so imaginary) hibbidyjibby creepers. When I used to live in urban Philly, the ambient street noise at night was an excellent lullaby. Now, in suburban Honolulu, the quiet just accentuates the bumps.

I've read a little into the previous MeFi posts on this topic, and while they're somewhat useful I still can't seem to dispel the feelings of vulnerability and fear that I feel when I turn the lights out. For me, that period between lights out and sleep is one of the most stressful times of my day.

What can I do/buy/try to make me feel better?

Where should we go on our roadtrip?

slowcat — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:40:34 -0800

My friends and I want to take a weekend roadtrip from Oberlin (close to Cleveland, OH). Where should we go? What should we see along the way? None of us are from Ohio, so we have no ideas! Thanks!

What are the canonical "cocksman" blues performances?

Joe Beese — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 10:42:44 -0800

What are the canonical "cocksman" blues performances? i.e. Howlin' Wolf - "Back Door Man". I'm planning a "mixtape". That's what we called 'em. And we wore onions on our belts... which was the style at the time...

Looking for the ideal hangout in South Bay/Long Beach...

Katemonkey — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:34:45 -0800

Looking for a good bar/coffee/food place in the South Bay/Long Beach, CA that works for an unknown number of people with a wide variety of tastes... I want to get a bunch of my old high school friends together when I go visit Long Beach again in October, and I want to find a place that:

A) Won't require reservations for big groups (because I don't know if there will be a big group)
B) Isn't a sit-down type of restaurant, but will serve food
C) Serves a variety of drinks (non-alcoholic, coffee, cocktails, etc.)
D) Is not a sports bar or a meat market or anything like that
E) Veers a bit on the eccentric without trying too hard to be "wacky"
F) Cheerfully caters to a jeans-and-t-shirt clientèle.

Bonus points if it panders shamelessly to nerds.

For an example of what I'm thinking, if the situation was reversed, and I had a bunch of people coming to Nottingham who wanted to go out and have a few drinks, I would take them to the Malt Cross. There, I know I can get an excellent rum and coke or cup of coffee, a good burger, and I'm in an old Victorian vaudeville hall of awesomeness. Or, if I was feeling a bit more kitschy, I'd take them to the Pit & the Pendulum (the website looks like it was hacked, alas), where I know I can get a weird cocktail, some decent food, and it's decked out like a Vincent Price movie.

It doesn't necessarily need to be South Bay/Long Beach - it just seems easier to me, since we all grew up around Long Beach, Carson, Torrance, etc. I'll also caging rides from people rather than driving myself, and I'd much rather talk someone into driving an extra 10 minutes than an extra 45...

(I just don't want to end up hanging out at Del Amo Mall, like I did when I was 17...)

First Pandora, now what?

NotMyselfRightNow — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 10:21:16 -0800

What technology (websites, webservices, or handheld devices) would you recommend to a non-techy person? My boss asked me this the other day and I totally drew a blank. He's a mid-30s guy, married with three young kids. Very demanding day job, and a fairly senior position as a military reservist. He's great with technology, but he's not a gadget guy and isn't typically on the cutting edge of new technology. Not a television watcher. Carries a BlackBerry for work, and won't be getting an iPhone. Was recently turned on to Pandora and Jott and loves both of them (which is how this conversation started).

Recommendations that he would probably look into would be either passive (like Pandora, running in the background) or active but would improve performance or productivity or something like that. I think he's more likely to engage with online services or sites than with a handheld device, but that's just my guess.

What would you suggest someone in that position look at?