Laptop desks

I am experimenting these days with a wacky aluminum laptop desk, and I'm not sure yet what I think about it. It is endlessly configurable, and by that I mean it has way too many pictures of how to take it apart and put it back together again in a completely different shape. I'm not sure I WANT to lay on my side in bed and have it suspended over me, but if I did I could with this thing. When I'm on the couch it can float in air in front of me, which is great once it stops its final tiny movements and gets perfectly still, at which point it's great while I use a wireless keyboard and mouse. You can check it out here but just so you know, I got it for $89 which was a lot, but it's actually made a huge difference on long study nights when I'm living on planet Khan Academy.

I'm also trying a desk on legs which sits on the couch to either side, and this one has a fan motor and side tables. See this one here.

Neither is exactly what I thought it would be, but at least I worry less about the effects of the computer slump on my posture. I think I may be two inches taller.

SAT Question of the Day

Easiest SAT prep you can set up in the next 5 minutes and then be reminded every day to do:  the Question of the Day on the College Board website. Annoying sometimes when you see it day after day in your email inbox, but really does work.

Here's your link

Fun with labels

We have not one but two labeling machines here at the house. I don't know why, but I suspect the older one was just not up to the workload.

The new one has more options for colors and sizes of tape. If you just have to have wide neon yellow labels with HUGE letters, this thing can deliver.

Also very cool is black letters on transparent tape, which is great for tab dividers in reports or presentations. I've used it to label maps too; very impressive and takes awhile to figure out out how it was done, which is a bonus with all those super competitive classmates that annoy you so much.

But here's my current favorite label:  full size - that's right, 8 1/2 by 11 inch - labels that are either transparent, or on white adhesive backed paper. And you can buy them in lots of other sizes - including one that is perfect for 3x5 or 4/6 index cards, for when you are allowed notecards for a speech. This means that you can use color coding, formatting and tiny fonts if you want.

You can even buy glossy adhesive labels and print photo quality labels that you can peel and stick on a report cover. I've made books and used one for the covers.

Go wander the aisles of an office supply store. You'll see amazing stuff.

Scientific Calculator Apps

Do yourself a favor and get a calculator app for your iPhone.

Even at $25 or so for the really good ones, it's a deal for when you don't have your calculator. I got this tip from an engineer, and used it at a summer science program when we were out in the field for two weeks.

Coolness factor:  priceless

Here's one to try.