Creative

Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius
$19.99
This book is an outstanding read and opens your mind to a ton of creative processes to spur creativity. It should be required reading for all teachers, engineers, marketing people--anybody that needs to understand creativity!

Creative Labs Vado HD 8 GB Pocket Video Camcorder, 2nd Generation (Black Gloss with Maroon Accents) NEWEST MODEL
$199.99
The Vado is a video camera with great resolution but poor design. The lens sticks out awkwardly, which aesthetically is annoying. Also, the USB connection consists of a flimsy rubbery connection that frankly, it is very annoying in a number of levels. Especially functionally.

First, the USB connection rubber part retracts instantly and does not stay still, as the sturdy Flip MinoHD's. Also, because of this USB connection, the camera is unable to stand up. You will need a tripop if you want your camera to stand up.

The Vado does come a with HDMI connection cable, which is great, since you can connect it to your HDTV and get great picture resolution instantly. But, the new Flip Mino HD does so as well.

The Vado is lighter than the Flip Mino. For me, it just does not feel like a solid piece of technology. The Mino aesthetically and functionally better.

The Vado works well with low light and it is super easy to transfer videos to your computer.

Although the Vado has a significantly bigger video screen, the Flip just seem like a better option. This is mainly because of the USB connection sticking out, my biggest gripe.

My other BIG issue: THE WHITE SCREEN OF DEATH.

I saw my first white screen of death the 3rd time I use the Vado. Beware of unplugging the Vado from your HDMI connection to your TV or the USB connection to your computer (eh...a.k.a. whenever you want to see a video) because you may get the white screen of death. This is a hardware problem. The first time I got it, I click and held every single button and nothing. You cannot reset or connect it to something else to shock into working. I researched it a bit and the only solution is to remove the battery.

Creative Labs Vado HD 720p Pocket Video Camcorder with 8 GB Video Storage and 2x Digital Zoom (Black) OLD MODEL
$229.99
Received camera and it seemed ok. Tried to use their software 3 weeks later and it was a disaster. The Vado software did not load. The Microsoft Movie software wouldn't work since it said the camera was not turned on (it was). Went to their website and got quick responses (within 24hrs) but it was superficial help. They eventually told me to use another computer. This was after several days of back and forth messages. Tried my sons and it didn't work, Tried my wife's and the software turned on but it was in giant pixels and then it said it had a defective driver. I contacted Amazon to return it but they told me I had to go through the company they sent it through. Amazon wouldn't accept any return. My suggestion, is to only purchase this if you're a highly skilled technical computer geek.

Creative Labs Zen X-Fi 2 32 GB MP3 and Video Player with Touchscreen and Built-In Speaker (Black and Silver)
$229.99
I LOVE MY ZEN!!! OMG this product is so easy to use and I take it everywhere! It's the best sound quality I've heard in a long time. Far superior to products I've used in the past! Great Xmas gift!