Everything you need to know about statical mechanics, but were afraid to ask.

Buy: Amazon ($45)

Endorsed by Peter Parker (a.k.a Spider-Man)!

(Image from Spider-Man (2002) used without permission.)

Your data is only as safe as your backup. I backup all my data to a “disaster proof” harddrive from ioSafe. Even if my office and house burn down in the next earthquake, and all my computers are toast, I still have a good chance of recovering my data.

My ioSafe is hooked up to an Apple Airport Extreme wireless router, so my laptop can automagically back up using Apple’s Time Machine whenever it’s on the same wireless network. The only drawback is that the hourly backups can saturate the network for a few minutes.

Buy: Amazon ($220, 1Tb)

Apple is one of the few companies that consistently strives for the platonic ideal in their products. Apple designers are never satisfied with more if less will do. A good exemplar is the Apple wireless keyboard. Apple has removed the wire connections, the rarely used numerical keypad (and other keys found on extended keyboards) and most of the height of the keys themselves. Instead, we get flat, short travel keys similar to those found on laptops. Thanks to improvements in key technology, these are as comfortable and easy to use as their larger, clunkier forebears. The keyboard enclosure itself is crafted from aluminum. It is robust, scratch and dirt resistant, and is light without feeling flimsy. The neutral tones do not distract from the work in hand. The keyboard is powered by 3 standard AA batteries.

One of the most irritating features of modern computer keyboards, inherited from their mechanical typewriter forebears, is the caps lock key. With it’s large size and prominent position, IT IS FAR TOO EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY ACTIVATE AND INADVERTENTLY TYPE SEVERAL SENTENCES AS IF ONE WERE SHOUTING. Fortunately, this useless throwback can be deactivated using Apple’s keyboard system preferences.

Note that the keyboard can be used with a Windows machine equipped with bluetooth, but additional key-mapping software is required to make it work well.

Buy: Amazon ($70); Apple ($70)

Why host a website or webapp on your own computer when SliceHost will take care of the networking and hardware for you? Fast, reliable, RAID-10 drives, Tier-1 bandwidth, root access, choice of Linux distros, full access to DNS. SliceHost is far, far better than my previous hosting company, where my website would drop off the net for a few hours or days, and the service rep’s response would be to deny that they was any problem at all.

SliceHost, built for developers

Multiple studies have shown that a larger computer screen increases productivity. Even if you pay your graduate students and postdocs starvation wages, a large monitor will pay for itself in months!

There isn’t much practical difference between different brands of monitor, since they all tend to obtain their LCD panels from the same manufactures. But since you have to stare at the thing all day long, day in, day out, for years, it’s worth getting something that is atheistically pleasing. And it doesn’t get any prettier than Apple’s offerings. Its possible to plug power, USB and video into an Apple laptop and be up and running with a full size screen and keyboard in under 30 seconds flat.

Apple’s 30 inch monitor is beautiful, but is long overdue for a product refresh. The 24 inch LCD is probably the best value for money at the moment. It even comes with a power cable for a MacBook or MacBook Air.

Buy: Amazon ($850); Apple ($900)

On Food and Cooking is essentially cooking for scientists. It comprehensively covers the physics and chemistry of all our basic food stuffs and cooking methods. Everything from milk and meat to grains and beer. Don’t enter the kitchen without it.

Buy: Amazon ($26)

One of the greatest mathematical texts ever written. This book is beautifully written and presented, and the mathematics is challenging but assessable. This is the best place to learn about generating functions, binomial coefficients, summation, finite calculus and the awe inspiring (if only for the notation) hypergeometric series.

Buy: Amazon ($63)

Arguable the finest fork-spoon combination ever designed. This ultimate spork is light, durable, heat resistant, dishwasher and non-stick safe. Available in a range of bright colors, easy to locate in the dark. Perfect for camping and travel. TSA safe!

Buy: Amazon ($4)

The iconic Red Springline Stapler is only stapler suitable for any office space.

Buy: Amazon ($18)

I believe you have my stapler.