Stuff Geeks Want

Got a room in your house that’s always warmer than the others in summer, and always colder than the rest in the winter?

Yeah, so do I.

You need this register vent booster. I just ordered mine, and can’t wait to install it.

The idea is so simple, I can’t believe I haven’t seen it somewhere else. Basically, it creates more air flow from your normal air ducts, so that those rooms get more cold or hot air, as needed, than they would normally. And the price tag is a lot less than having an HVAC company come out and “balance” your ducts in your attic or under your house.

They cost $70 normally, but happen to be on sale right now for $60. Pick on up at ATrendyHome.com.

I need a safe for my house.

To store my 24k plated XBox 360 controllers.

No, really. That’s what we’ll put in there.

So I’m buying this safe that goes in between two standard 16″ wall studs. It’ll be the perfect safe for our house.

Get it from Amazon.com for $90.

I’m a pen freak. A pen connoisseur. Some might call me a pen whore.

I love a good fountain pen, but I hate paying a lot of money for one. I also love small pens that can easily fit in your pocket.

My favorite fountain pen of the moment is the Ohto Tasche Fountain Pen. The design allows you to easily carry it in your pocket when it’s closed, but it functions as a full-sized pen when it’s open. The nib is also pretty fine lined, making it perfect for my moleskins.

Get it from Jetpens in blue, black, pink, or my favorite: silver for $15 a pen. Or order a combo pack of all four for $60. And don’t forget to pick up a few boxes of ink (black or blue)… you’ll love this pen.

You’re a geek. You don’t wear a silver ring, you wear a titanium ring. Not because of its color, but because it’s lighter than aluminum yet stronger than steel.

You also don’t pull pieces of tape off a plastic disposable tape dispenser. No, for you, only the Heavy-Weight will do.

The Heavy-Weight Tape Dispenser doesn’t just look industrial, it is: its 3-pound cast zinc body means you don’t have to worry about pulling the whole dispenser when you reach for some tape with one hand.

Grab one from Design Within Reach for $60 and show your tape who’s boss.

Gas is headed for $5 a gallon. The price of food is up 40 percent over the last 3 years. Unemployment is zooming. Car sales are in the toilet. And the stock market? Well let’s just say it’s technically not a “loss” until you actually sell your shares.

The best strategy for your portfolio during these tumultuous times is the same it’s always been: diversify, diversify, diversify.

And what better way to diversify your holdings than to purchase just one share of stock in a number of different companies?

That’s what the good men and women at OneShare.com do: they sell you just one share of stock. But it’s not just a share that you see as a number in your E*Trade portfolio online, it’s an actual, physical share of stock. Nothing says “We’re not headed for a 1920′s recession, I swear!” more loudly than stashing away shares of stock… like they did in the 1920′s.

Not only do you get an actual paper share, it also comes professionally framed, so that years later you can tell your grandkids that their college trust fund is actually that nice wooden frame. “What’s Ford?”, they’ll innocently ask you.

Speaking of Ford, OneShare is offering $10 off Ford, GM, GE, and Wal-Mart shares for the month of July. Seeing as the first three are trading at near legendary lows, the might actually have some growth potential down the line. Wal-Mart’s stock price, of course, is jugging along happily—not unlike the devil during down times.

Here’s what all this is going to cost you:

• the current price of the stock (plus a small premium)
• an optional frame ($34-$64)
• an optional matte ($5)
• an optional engraving ($10)
• a transfer fee for the share of the $39

Check out OneShare.com for more information.

How many hours a day do you spend in a desk chair? If it’s more than a couple, do your spine a favor and spend a good chunk of your next paycheck on a piece of furniture worthy of spending so much time connected to your body.

Steelcase manufacturers a series of good seats, but I’m particular fond of the newest member to the family: the Amia chair.

Coming in at $599, the Amia is one of the less expensive chairs in the Steelcase line-up but still packs plenty of features—enough, at least, for it to be awarded the Gold (ergonomic category) in the Best of Neocon 2007 competition.

Among those features:

• LiveLumbar technology (flexes with movements)
• height/width/pivot depth adjustable arms
• back lock
• pneumatic seat height
• up to 97% Recyclable

Customize yours at the Steelcase Store and choose from 12 upholstery colors and a black or platinum frame. Hard floor casters are also available, if your office shuns carpet.

Foot massages are one of life’s great joys. I hear it’s also a prime reason to get a pedicure, but I’ve yet to embrace my metrosexuality to that extent.

If you’re like me, or you lack a partner who is willing and capable of delivering a quality rub, toss a few Benjamins Brookstone’s way and pick up either the iSqueez or uSqueez foot massager.

These suckers baby your tootsies and calves like nothing else: a few minutes is all it takes to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and transport you to Cloud 9. Whether you spend your days on your feet or sitting in a chair, you’ll appreciate the iSqueez or uSqueez. Better yet: set one up at work and give yourself an eight hour foot massage—hey, your company’s picking up the electricity tab, so why not!

The iSqueez debuted a few years ago and sells for
$399 but includes a free iNeed massager ($65 value) for a limited time. The newer uSqueez adds some extra options and modes and sells for $499. They’re not cheap, but they’re worth it. Ladies: pick one up for Father’s Day and you get the added benefit of giving the man in your life a great gift, even if you’ll be using it every bit as much (sorry, men, we didn’t post this before Mother’s Day).

Don’t try comparison shopping: Brookstone is the only place you’ll find the ‘Squeezes.

But if you can’t bring yourself to drop that much coin on a foot massager, you’re crazy you can get this knock-off for $188.95 through Amazon that carries a decent list of positive reviews from satisfied customers.

ooma is a totally new device that can help you break the habit of paying for local phone service. ooma has been given high marks by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Business Week, and has been called the hottest gadget of they year by Parade and In Style magazines.

With a one-time purchase and your high-speed internet connection nearby, the ooma gives you:

• Unlimited calling to any number in the US
• All the phone features you’ve come to depend on, like caller-ID, call-waiting, and voicemail
• The reliability and crisp acoustic performance of a landline
• Access to your voicemail from any phone
• The freedom to hear your voicemail and manage account preferences in the Lounge
• The option to create voicemail notifications to email and mobile phone
• Low-cost international rates starting at a penny per minute
• Easy setup to get you up and dialing in no time
• A 30-day money-back guarantee and an extendable one-year warranty
• The flexibility to keep your phone number or choose a new one anywhere in the US
• A free 90 day trial of ooma Premier, which includes a free second phone line, real-time message screening, one-touch Do Not Disturb and Send to Voicemail, a second personal number with private voicemail, and more

Think of the ooma as Skype without the computer, or Vonage without the monthly fees, and a much better user experience.

Price: $203.97 from Amazon.com (and for a limited time, get a free ooma Scout (a $65 value) with it).

Do the math. What are you spending with your local phone company? We bet you’re spending more than $250 a year… this thing pays for itself pretty quickly.