As easy as it is to communicate electronically, some things are still better done in person. At too-infrequent intervals, I visit <I>Stereophile</I>'s writers, listen to their systems, and basically get them to show'n'tell the components they're reviewing. In this way, if they describe what <I>I'm</I> hearing, I have the confidence to publish their review, even if its findings run counter to accepted wisdom.

Associate publisher Keith Pray took a small spoonful and gasped: "Oh my god, that's hot!"

What are the chances of your dying from various causes? <A HREF="http://www.riskometer.org/">Riskometer</A&gt; tells you.

When Philip Pullman wrote <I>His Dark Materials</I>, he thought he might have written a story that would appeal to a "a few clever kids and a few intelligent adults." The series has been translated into 40 languages and has sold 15 million copies. If he was that wrong about that, he's probably wrong about what it's about, too.

Needless to say, I'm not in London waiting in line at O2 arena but that doesn't mean my thoughts, like those of about every other music fan on the planet, aren't turned to what's going to happen this evening when Led Zeppelin ends two decades of silence and lets it rip in what's being billed as a one-off show for charity.

<A HREF="http://www.aperionaudio.com/home.aspx">Aperion Audio</A> is teaming up with <A HREF="http://www.outlawaudio.com/">Outlaw Audio</A> to offer a holiday savings deal. Here's how it works: Purchase any Aperion speaker system costing more than $998 between now and December 31, 2007 and Aperion will email you a promo code worth 5% off any Outlaw electronic component. Go to Outlaw's site, choose your gear, and apply the promo code for your discount.