Popular Mechanics articles from May 2005

Popular Mechanics archives from May 2005

From cutting-edge to classic.(EDITOR'SNOTES.)(Editorial)
May 1, 2005... What does the future hold? Since its very first issue in 1902, POPULAR MECHANICS has tried to answer this question. In fact, we often get teased for our occasional bouts of irrational exuberance in the forecasting department. All right, so we...

Myth busting.(LETTERS)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... PM's March cover story, "9/11: Debunking The Myths, "generated an overwhelming reaction, including coverage on CNN, NPR and other broadcast outlets, extensive online commentary, and an enormous volume of mail. Here is a sampling of the...

Rubbermaid to the rescue!(GARAGE MAKEOVER WINNER #1)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... THE CHALLENGE: Ken and Cathy, along with their five-year-old son Dylan, moved from Connecticut to a more expensive but smaller home in Cave Creek, Arizona. With less closet space, no attic and no basement, all their leftover stuff ended up in,...

Happy campers: from the looks of these early, RVs, roughing it has apparently never really been in style.(TIMEMACHINE)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... 50 Years Ago (July 1955) THE PEOPLE'S BUS Before hippies claimed it for their own, the VW bus was popular in the United States as a family camper. Fully loaded, it slept six and topped out at 50 mph. Impressed with the bus's...

Join e-Rewards[R].(THE goods: Great products and promotional offers from Popular Mechanics advertisers.)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... As a valued Popular Mechanics reader, you are invited to join e-Rewards[R], a By Invitation Only program that allows you to earn free BLOCKBUSTER[R] movie rentals, frequent flyer miles, and other quality rewards simply for reading relevant...

Milwaukee's V28TM technology takes cordless power tools to a new level.(THE goods: Great products and promotional offers from PM advertisers.)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Introducing the most powerful, cordless tool system on the planet--the revolutionary new V28TM Lithium Ion system from Milwaukee. Awesome power and up to 2X the run time of an 18V battery at the same weight. Products include a band saw,...

Take me fishing.(THE goods: Great products and promotional offers from PM advertisers. www.takemefishing.com)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... Talk. Laugh. Reconnect. That's what happens when you go boating and fishing. So take someone you love out on the water. And see where the water takes you. Rediscover the joy of boating and fishing. Get information and get going at...

Win a Canon Rebel XT digital camera!(THE goods: Great products and promotional offers from PM advertisers.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Enter the "Technology in our Lives Today and Tomorrow" contest and you could be the grand prize winner of a Canon Rebel XT! Send your photos to Canon Contest, c/o Popular Mechanics, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 or email your...

Holding sway.(TECHWATCH.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The new Taipei 101 holds the title of world's tallest building (for now) at 1667 ft. Sitting just 660 ft. from a major fault line in Taiwan, the tower could be subjected to earthquakes typhoons and fierce winds--major challenges to the rigidity...

Longest (brick) yard.(This Month.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... On May 29, the 89th Indianapolis BOO starts at high noon--1 hour later than usual. As the racers speed upward of 220 mph, they'll be traveling on an Indianapolis Motor Speedway track that's just been milled and repaved for the first time in 10...

Most improbable adventure.(This Month; Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy movie)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Just about 26 years ago, in a galaxy right here, Douglas Adams wrote a goofy space odyssey that is light-years from the mythic sensibilities of the "Star Wars" movies. By an incredible lack of coincidence, just a few weeks before George Lucas...

Best gaming trifecta.(This Month)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Internet buzz is circulating thick and fast that the Electronic Entertainment Expo ([E.sup.3]) opening in Los Angeles on the 17th will see Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo all introduce their next-gen game consoles. But will Sony spoil the party by...

Holiest rollers.(This Month; bikes blessed at Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Every May, New Yorkers bring their spokes to the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for the Blessing of the Bicycles. On the 21st, cyclists will receive a sprinkling of holy water to protect both bike and rider for a whole year of close...

Deepest Mars insight.(This Month)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... This month the European Space Agency's Mars Express spacecraft releases its MARSIS radar payload, which will use radio waves to penetrate 4 kilometers below the rover tracks on Mars's surface. Scientists hope to find life-supporting groundwater...

Tracking the tractor-trailers.(Spinning Wheels)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The long-haul trucking industry isn't generally identified with anything more sophisticated than CB radios. But modern semis are equipped with some of the most advanced tracking and safety features on the road. Jampacked with sensors and tuned...

NASA's other space scopes.(TECHWATCH)
May 1, 2005... After 15 years of capturing stellar photos, the Hubble Space Telescope is nearing its demise. The HST's legacy is formidable: It has captured images of heavenly curiosities ranging from Martian clouds to comet collisions to the birth and death...

Say uncle.(humans against robots arm-wrestling)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... In March, the International Society for Optical Engineering hosted the first-ever human versus robot arm-wrestling match. Parma Felsen, a straight-A high-school student (and self-proclaimed "weakling") from La Costa, Calif., easily whupped all...

RAM-jet.(DDR3.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Korean electronics giant Samsung recently announced that it has produced the world's first DDR3 dynamic random access memory, which it plans to launch next year. The new computer memory uses less voltage than current standards and operates at...

No-rhythm nation.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... It turns out Americans not only have two left feet, they have two left ears. In a study published in Psychological Science, researchers pitted the listening skills of North American adults against Macedonian and Bulgarian immigrants and U.S....

Shell-shocked.(Hippos and tortoises.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... A baby hippo has surprised naturalists by befriending a 130-year-old reptile. Swept away from its herd by heavy December rains, the infant mammal was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Service and local fishermen, and brought to Haller Park In...

Down under.(Poseidon Undersea Resorts.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Poseidon Undersea Resorts is planning to open the world's first ocean-floor hotel in late 2006. Just off the coast of Eleuthra island in the Bahamas, the five-star resort wit[ feature 22 underwater suites ($1500 a night) with panoramic ocean...

Brain teaser.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Tiny electrodes implanted in the brain led to dramatic improvements for severely depressed patients taking part in a recent study at the University of Toronto. Similar "brain pacemakers" which help regulate overactive neurons, are currently...

Puff protection.(TECHWATCH)(bomb detectors)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... The Transportation Security Administration is field-testing Sentinel II bomb-sniffing machines at three U.S. airports: Baltimore/Washington International, Jacksonville (Fla.) International and New York's JFK. Built by Smiths Detection, the...

How'd they know that? The oldest human bones just got older.(TECHWATCH)
May 1, 2005... OMO I AND OMO II WERE DISCOVERED in Ethiopia's Kibish formation in 1967, but their ages weren't well-known because the potassium-argon dating technique of the time wasn't very reliable. Our team used a more modern method called argon 40/39 to...

Global fuel crisis: a solo plane circles the planet, but not without some tense moments and a few lucky breaks.(One For The Books)
May 1, 2005... In March, GlobalFlyer became the first single-pilot plane to fly around the Earth without stopping or refueling. Barely 3 hours into the trip, however, pilot Steve Fossett saw trouble on his instrument panel. The fuel gauges showed a 2600-pound...

Hand candy.(UPGRADE)(Tiger Telematics)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... If you opened up a portable gaming device and stuffed in a GPS locator, digital camera, multimedia player and one-half a cellphone, you'd probably break a lot of expensive electronics--or end up with the new Gizmondo. Tiger Telematics, the...

Light rock.(Wish List)
May 1, 2005... You're nearly to the summit when your iPod quits. Good thing you're above the tree line: Solio, from Better Energy Systems, uses sunlight and its own internal battery to recharge your iPod in just a few hours. $100; www.solio.com ...

Get a grip.(Wish List)
May 1, 2005... Fitting or loosening heavy-duty steel pipe requires a heavy-duty wrench. This month's most impressive tool is certainly the Power Jaws, a 14-in. ratcheting pipe wrench from Duluth Trading. Constructed of heavy-gauge chrome vanadium steel, this...

Luke, I am your tuber.(Wish List)
May 1, 2005... What do you get when you take movieland's most iconic villain and turn him into a lumpy, lovable, plastic vegetable? Wait for it... that's right, it's Darth Tater. Mr. Potato Head has been reborn as Anakin Skywalker's alter ego, complete with...

Sweeter spot.(Wish List)
May 1, 2005... In pursuit of the supersize sweet spot (the area that produces maximum sproing), tennis racket makers already have expanded the size of racket heads as much as is reasonable. With its new [O.sup.3], Prince has increased the sweet spot by 54...

Hey Mister Bass Man.(The Outfitter)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
May 1, 2005... Professional fisherman, former TV "Bachelor" and ESPN celebrity commentator Byron Velvick gives us a guide to his favorite fishing gear. OKUMA INDURON 250 The Induron 250 is a classic round bait-casting reel. Made from bar-stock...

3-season lure guide.(Fishing Tips)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... SPRING "The water is cold in most parts of the country and the fish are moving up to spawn. You'll want to fish throw jigs and soft plastics, primarily crawdads [right]. Find something scent-impregnated." SUMMER "Now's the time...

Cellular secrets: shopping for a new phone plan is a complicated and confusing affair. Here are five questions to ask of your provider (and yourself) before signing.(Shop Smart)
May 1, 2005... 1 Can I see the detailed maps? When you ask the salesperson to show you the cellular provider's coverage area, he'll usually give you a brochure with countrywide or regional information. But what he won't tell you is that company reps can...

Build your own LCDTV.(Assembly Required)
May 1, 2005... Flat-panel LCD televisions are getting cheaper, but as far as we're concerned they're not cheap enough, For less money you can buy a few simple components and make up your own flat-panel set. HERE'S HOW. $320+ Acer 19-in. monitor...

One truly wild ride: win this PWC! Enter the PM Sweepstakes for a Yamaha WaveRunner.(Extreme Freeble)
May 1, 2005... At $7699, Yamaha's new three-seat fuel-injected four-stroke WaveRunner VX110 Deluxe personal watercraft is already a lot of bang for your buck. But you've got a shot to get it even cheaper--as in free--by entering the latest POPULAR MECHANICS...

Upping the ante: it's no bluff when BMW shows a pair of 3s.(NEWCARS)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
May 1, 2005... As the ads have been touting for years, BMWs are all about the driving. During our test flog of the new BMW 325i and 330i through the Spanish countryside, it was obvious that the 3 Series's already exemplary road manners have been notched up a...

Head-butting BMW.(Reports From Around The World)(Toyota sports sedan)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Word association: I say "Lexus," you say "luxury." Or "quality." Or maybe "tomblike quiet." You're not going to say "sexy" or "sporty." But you might respond that way to "BMW." Well, tell the Bavarians to move it on over, bro. Toyota's luxury...

Born again.(Reports From Around The World)(Hyundai truck)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Remember the Kia Sportage? Well, the spunky little trucklet from south of the 38th parallel has been reborn as a crossover. Sharing all of its essential design and engineering with the Hyundai Tucson, the vehicle has different cladding, nose,...

Fresh ground.(Detroit)(General Motors pickup)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... What you see here is a completely new model from GMC, one so different that it's not yet acknowledged by the company. But it's for real and it's the first of a new SUV line that GM will sell under both Pontiac and GMC badges. Built on the...

Four x four x four.(Detroit)(Jeep)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... It takes a pretty sharp eye to see what the folks at Jeep have hidden under the wraps of this Wrangler prototype. If you spot the stretched wheelbase you'll notice that this vehicle is much longer than your everyday Wrangler. But the...

Presto Chango.(Reports From Around The World)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Harley-Davidson created the VRSCR Street Rod from the VRSCA V-Rod, and a new front end allows the 617-pound Street Rod to handle much more nimbly than its parent. The new bike also has a shorter wheelbase and quicker turn-in. The low-rise...

Tiptop topless.(Reports From Around The World. Porsche Carrera Cabriolet.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Let's be honest: The previous-generation Porsche Carrera Cabriolet was so similar to the Boxster that it just didn't seem worth the extra money. But with muscular, retro 911 styling, a Rock of Gibraltar chassis and enough power to blow any...

Big bug.(Europe)(Bugatti)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Volkswagen-owned Bugatti will build only 300 of these ubercars. Powered by a 1001-hp W16 engine, the Veyron is touted as having a top speed of 252 mph--that's miles, not kilometers, per hour. First shown at Geneva in 2002, the two-seater is...

Soft gone hard.(Europe)(BMW)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Now that BMW has given the world the new 3 Series sedan, we're spotting prototypes of the new convertible--with a metal folding roof. The boot lid is hinged to swallow up the whole thing as it folds and retracts. The front fascia appears to be...

Crispy corners.(Europe; trends in auto tail lights, headlights)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Porsche is bringing the earlier-style round headlamps back to its line of sports cars. Not so for the Cayenne SUV. With much crisper edges than the melted-soap-bar original, the revised version shows more front overhang and larger, LED-lamped...

Blimey, what next?(Reports From Around The World. Jaguar stationwagons?)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Look what it's come to: Now that Ford owns Jaguar, the company's all but selling SUVs! Well, not really, but a station wagon? Yes, a bloody Jaguar station wagon--with all-wheel drive. Jaguar has seriously reworked its entry model, the X-Type....

Power corrupts.(Reports From Around The World.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Two numbers transform the Mercedes-Benz CL from a car we like to a car we covet: 604 and 738. As in the 604 hp and 738 lb.-ft, of the range-topping CL 65 AMG. Plant your right foot in this twin-turbocharged V12 Benz and your internal organs...

Lightening its load.(Asia.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Kia's new Sedona minivan met its public at the Chicago Auto Show. Riding on a new, longer platform, the Sedona has a fully independent suspension and a stronger engine: There's an all-new 3.8-liter 24-valve V6 under the hood. The engine is...

From the '60s vault.(Asia.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... When Toyota showed its concept retro SUV two years ago at the auto show in Detroit, it drew raves. Patterned after the company's cult hero FJ 40 Land Cruiser, the FJ Cruiser will be a reality: The production version was unveiled to the eager...

And another thing ... A rose by any name.(AUTOMOTIVE.)
May 1, 2005... Anyone who's had to name a baby knows just how overwhelming, gut-wrenching and possibly fate-deciding a task it can be. The temptation to go with a name from the family history--yours, your dad's, your grandfather's--is always a strong one. But...

Defending the front: invasive species are swift, prolific and headed our way. Scientists hope to stay one step ahead of them.(SCIENCE.)
May 1, 2005... What do saltcedar, fire ants and West Nile virus have in common? No respect for borders. Saltcedar, a Eurasian shrub, lines nearly every streambed in the Western United States, tapping into water tables and acting as tinder for a burn. Red...

Tire tearing terror; conspiring with GM to raise a monster of a Toronado.(JAY LENO'S GARAGE.)
May 1, 2005... When I drove the new Bentley Continental GT, I thought, "This is really nice, but we built this car 40 years ago. It was called the Oldsmobile Toronado." That got me to thinking that I'd like to do a modern Toro. I started with an...

In search of the next killer app; can't live without e-mail? There's more where that came from. Our picks for the next big thing.(TECHNOLOGY.)
May 1, 2005... Since the dot-com explosion of the late '90s, legions of programmers and software engineers have been on the lookout for the next big idea--the application that could change the world (and make a ton of cash doing it). They are all looking for...

America 2025: how we'll live in snap-together houses, play soccer with robots, drive cars with four motors and vacation in orbit--all in the custom-designed, easy-to-repair world of tomorrow.(Cover Story)
May 1, 2005... Look 100 years into the future, or even 50, and you're creating science fiction. Twenty years, though, is just on the edge of the horizon: While the details are fuzzy, the broad outlines of technology are already in view. In 2025, the move from...

A good shed is not hard to find; whether hand-built or ready-made, a great garden shed enhances any yard.
May 1, 2005... A flimsy metal hut bursting with rusty shovels, bent rakes and unused badminton sets doesn't do much to solve a storage problem. On the other hand, a well-designed, carefully built garden shed can be more than a place to keep birdseed and...

The wreck of the Selendang Ayu; on Dec. 6, 2004, engine trouble left a Malaysian freighter adrift in the stormy Bering Sea. The next 51 hours were marked by desperate tow attempts, a fatal helicopter crash, heroic aerial rescues, and the worst Alaskan oil spill in more than a decade.(what went wrong.)
May 1, 2005... * LOCATION /// ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA * EVENT /// SHIPWRECH * DATE /// DEC. 6 TO 8, 2004 FOR NEARLY TWO weeks the Malaysian-flagged freighter Selendang Ayu had been struggling through deteriorating weather to carry a load of...

Lawnmower tuneup: an hour a year will keep walk-behind running right.(HOMEJOURNAL: HANDSAW BASICS HOMEOWNERS CLINIC SHAKERS STEP STOOL.)
May 1, 2005... No machine defines a homeowner like his mower. (Apartment dwellers, after all, don't cut grass.) And few tools do as much work. When you consider how much dust and plant matter they stir up, it's a wonder mowers last as long as they do. But...

Different strokes: how to choose and use a handsaw.(Tool Techniques.)
May 1, 2005... Power tool makers might like you to think otherwise, but a good portion of this country was built with handsaws. Whole houses went up, cabinets were installed, moldings applied--all thanks to a thin blade of steel, a wooden handle, and a good...

Old-work electrical boxes.(EXPERT Q+A)(Column)
May 1, 2005... Q I bought new light fixtures for my bathroom, but when I removed one of the old fixtures I found there was no junction box. There is no stud near where I need to place the junction box I would like to install. Please help. MIKE Via...

"It's a miracle ... I can hear my granddaughter's voice on the phone again!": the Miracle Phone[TM] uses conduction, not just amplification, to make phone calls clearer--and everyone in the family can use it.(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... If you have hearing loss, you know that one of the biggest challenges is hearing conversations on the phone. You may have gotten so frustrated that you've stopped using the phone altogether! Now there is a solution: the Miracle Phone[TM]....

Simplicity legacy XL 4X4.(TRACTOR TEST.)
May 1, 2005... SIMPLICITY LEGACY XL 4X4 This tractor is a recent addition to the new and growing field of subcompact garden tractors. These machines share the compact size of a garden tractor and many of the high-end capabilities of a full-size compact...

Determining roof area.(EXPERT Q+A)(Column)
May 1, 2005... Q How do I figure out the square footage of my roof to determine the number of squares of roofing I will need? LINDA Via Internet A Roof area can be measured from the ground or from the roof itself. Direct measurement is the simplest...

Masking tape as a clamp.(Homeowners Clinic.)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... NO MATTER HOW many woodworking clamps you own, sometimes none of them is right for the job-especially when small parts are involved. One solution is to use masking tape. Prepare the parts so that they fit together without forcing them, then...

Yamaha PWC sweepstakes rules.
May 1, 2005... 1 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Must be 18 years or older and a resident of the continental United States. 2...

Electric vs. battery sump pump.(EXPERT Q+A)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Q Would it be advantageous to have a battery-operated sump pump instead of the normal electric-powered pump? I have both. The battery unit is for emergency use when power fails. Why not go with the battery full time? MAURICE GREGOIRE ...

Pushbutton light switches.(EXPERT Q+A)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Q My girlfriend owns a home built in 1893. All of the switches are pushbutton type. I have had no luck finding replacements for them. I need both single-pole and three-way switches. If you could find this information for me, I would really...

Reader project.(Homeowners Clinic.)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... MY KIDS, Peter and Carolyne, love this playhouse that I made based on plans for a shed in POPULAR MECHANICS (go to www.popularmechanics.com/ groundskeeper). The playhouse has two floors, a spiral staircase, windows, a deck, a double door, and a...

Vent location.(EXPERT Q+A)(Column)
May 1, 2005... Q A contractor installed the air inlet and exhaust vents for my new high-efficiency furnace immediately above the dryer vent, which he then removed. He advised me to vent the dryer elsewhere. I want to vent the dryer out the same wall about 8...

Stepping up: build our modern version of a Shaker step stool.(Classics: SIMPLE DO-IT-YOURSELF WEEKEND PROJECTS.)
May 1, 2005... Clean, common-sense design and uncompromising craftsmanship are the hallmarks of Shaker woodworking. It's not surprising, then, that generations of modern woodworkers have paid their dues studying and reproducing the austere yet functional...

Basic battery care.(SATURDAY MECHANIC)
May 1, 2005... There's nothing but a loud buzzing noise coming from under the hood when you try to start your car. Jumper cables get you up and scurrying to work but you need another jump to get home. Time to pull some maintenance on the battery. ...

Wet blanket.(EXPERT Q+A.)(Column)
May 1, 2005... Q My car won't start on rainy days. If it dries out and warms up later in the day, it's fine. It also is fine on the coldest days and starts immediately. I've put gasline dryer in the tank, but it's no help. The garage wants $89 to diagnose the...

Know-key.(NEW PRODUCT)
May 1, 2005... Know-Key: You can pay a monthly service fee for those fancy systems that give you driving directions and also unlock your car door. Or not. Know-Key is a simple device that lets you enter your locked vehicle by simply lifting the door handle in...

The wheel deal.(EXPERT Q+A)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Q My wife's Sebring has chrome wheels. Recently one of the tires started losing air on a regular basis. The service station manager tells me he has seen this a number of times: The inside of the wheel, where the tire bead sits, is pitted,...

Got a rattle under light acceleration or at idle in your 2002-04 Toyota Camry?(service TIP)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Got a rattle under light acceleration or at idle in your 2002-04 Toyota Camry? It may not be spark knock from burning cheap gasoline. Toyota Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) EG018-04 says it could be air rattling inside the intake manifold. The...

Have issues with dirty fuel injectors?(service TIP)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Have issues with dirty fuel injectors? GM TSB 04-06-04-047 suggests using a gasoline that meets Top Tier specifications for detergency. These standards exceed EPA requirements and meet standards set by GM, Toyota, BMW and Honda. Look for the...

Digitize me: ready to say goodbye to those volumes of old photos? Try a good scanner.(TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2005... It happens once a year. You drag out your photo collection and take a nice long walk down memory lane. But wouldn't it be better if you didn't have to sort through an overflowing shoebox or airlift your 2-ton photo album off the bookshelf to do...

Speakers of the house.(EXPERT Q+A)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Q I'm in the process of building a home theater and I'm curious about the latest surround-sound standards. When looking at audio receivers, I've noticed both 6.1- and 7.1-channel surround-sound options (other than the usual 5.1). Are they worth...

A need for speed?(EXPERT Q+A)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Q What's the deal with high-speed SD memory cards? Are they really faster than other types? Why should I care? A Can't we all just slow down a little? No? Okay, if you have a need for speed, high-speed memory cards of all types--be they...

Affordable flat-panel.(TECHNOLOGY)
May 1, 2005... ARE YOU SALIVATING FOR A FLAT-PANEL TV, BUT DON'T THINK it's in your budget? Think again. Now you can have a 26-in. LCD TV with surround-sound audio for just $1799. Dell's new W2600--one of the only LCD TVs under $2000--is guaranteed to please...

The cable buy.(EXPERT Q+A)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2005... Q Will I really get better sound quality if I buy a $500 A/V cable than if I just get one from my local electronics warehouse? A I'll do you one better: You don't even have to get the cables they sell at the electronics store. Retailers...

Better mini music player.(Digital Clinic)
May 1, 2005... THE iPOD MAY HAVE STOLEN the spotlight, but don't ignore Creative's newest Zen Micro MP3/WMA player. Just over 3 in. long x 2 in. wide x 3/4 in. thick, this mini digital audio player comes in 10 different shiny colors, stores 5GB of music and...

New lure's catch rate may be too high for some tournaments.(SPORTS TECH NEWS--2005)(Advertisement)
May 1, 2005... ORLANDO, FL -- A small company in Connecticut has developed a new lure that mimics the motion of a real fish so realistically eight professionals couldn't tell the difference between it and a live shad when it "swam" toward them on retrieval....

John Markalunas, fire crew member, years on job: 9.(Hotshot)(Interview)
May 1, 2005... When wildfires burned through 6000 acres of pinion-juniper forest in Winter Valley, Colo., a few years back, most residents fled the lung-choking scene. John Markalunas headed into it. As assistant superintendent of a Hotshot crew, he took...