7/31    Hi, I am looking for a monitoring recommendation for use at home
        with my MacMini and as a second monitor for my Airbook. At this
        point I dont want to buy a fancy Apple monitor -- will probably
        wait for then to announce a new one -- but price doesnt really
        matter [office buy], but it doesnt seem like there is any need
        to spend more than $500? Historically I've just gotten a decent
        Samsung, if not top end Apple. Any recs or things to look for?
        \_ I used to be pretty happy with my Dell Ultrasharp. Then
           I got an Apple monitor at work, which blows it away.
        \_ To give you a sense of my perspective, I have a strong preference
           for IPS monitors, and have a pair of 30" Dell Ultrasharps on my
           desk at home (the U3011).  What I just bought for use at work are
           a pair of QNIX QX2710LED monitors from Korea via Ebay.  It's a 27"
           IPS monitor, and it cost $310.  You can get them for less, but the
           sellers engage in binning, so I think it's worth it to pay slightly
           more for one they tested and describe as "perfect pixel".  Mine has
           a matte screen, since I've got a lot of reflections to deal with.
           I think these Korean IPS monitors are the current bang-for-the-buck
           champs in big screens.
           \_ Also, there are a bunch of other brands of Korean IPS monitors
              available on ebay.  QNIX, Catleap, Yamakasi, Crossover, etc.
              They're all basically the same stuff.  Read some reviews, you
              should be fine.

7[31    Suppose you have a few hundred thousand dollars in the bank earning
        minimum interest rate and you're not sure whether you're going to
        buy a house in 1-5 years. Should one put that money in a more
        risky place like Vanguard ETFs and index funds, given that the
        horizon is only 1-5 years?
        \_ I have a very similar problem, in that I have a bunch of cash
           I need to use for a remodel in the next 1-3 years. I don't
           know for sure what to do with it, but I think that the
           stock market is too risky for something that you really
           want. I am probably going to put it into CSJ. Let me know if
           you come up with a better plan.
           \_ why are you waiting for remodeling? It's not like the cost
              of remodeling will fluctuate wildly like stock or even
              real estate.
              \_ It takes a while to get the architect to write the plans,
                 get it through planning, etc. We got the money by
                 taking a second out on our house and wanted to lock
                 in interest rates now.