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These headphones keep the noise down Since their invention more than a decade ago, noise-canceling headphones have been an air traveler's best companion. These headphones also have found a home in industry, the military, and at sporting events. (10/28/07)

Wood floors boost charm, price of homes
The beauty of wood flooring comes not just in its look or added warmth, but also for the fact that homes with wood floors sell faster and for higher prices, according to a survey of realtors. (10/21/07) There's no excuse to not back up files
Have you backed up your computer files lately? Horror stories abound. A student loses the term paper she'd been working on for six weeks when her computer crashes; a family loses priceless photos when a laptop is stolen. (10/14/07) Buying ellipticals without breaking a sweat
Investing in an elliptical trainer for your home gym isn't an inexpensive proposition. Higher-end models start at $1,500, but many people, like Dan Leinweber, swear by them. (10/7/07) Today's business cards offer a new edge
In a digital age, business cards once collected in Rolodexes or bundled with a rubber band are no longer a "must-have" in the corporate arsenal. But there is still a place for cards, particularly if they are creative. (10/1/07) Take aches and pains out of your workplace
Ergonomics - the difference between a rock-hard chair that hurts your back and a comfy seat with lots of support - is especially important for the millions who sit in front of a computer all day. (9/23/07) Despite doubts, air cleaners are big business
With 60 million people who have asthma and allergies nationwide, more than those affected by diabetes or heart disease, it's no wonder the air cleaner market is at $450 million. (9/16/07) Cozy wood heat seen as a cost-saver, too
Twenty years ago, Chris Burke converted a 5,000-square-foot Unitarian Meeting House into living and studio space, heating much of the old Federal building with a Norwegian-designed woodstove. (9/9/07) In style again, blankets blend old and new
Linda Carpenter, who works at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, collects Native American trade blankets and is fascinated with their designs and long history. (9/2/07) Briefcases on wheels rolling toward chic
Susan Dallabrida, a biochemist at Children's Hospital, started using a rolling briefcase three years ago after back surgery. Consumers like Dallabrida are buying increasingly inventive and stylish products for business cases and computer bags. (8/29/07)

Gearing up for some serious bowling For many players, bowling doesn't get any more serious than a night out at Jillian's Lucky Strike Lanes. But for others, like Becky Kregling, women's bowling coach at Sacred Heart University, bowling is, well, a ball, and should be taken seriously. (8/19/07)

Buying a chain saw: Measure once, cut safely
It was the downed limbs, broken branches, and yard debris strewn by Hurricane Bob that led Robert Maffei to really appreciate the functionality of a chain saw. "It is a great utilitarian tool, but you have to know what you're doing," Maffei said. (8/12/07) Endless winter: Surfing in New England
Surfing in the Northeast? Let's set the record straight: Unlike Hawaii or California, it's not exactly a hot surfing destination for travelers. But avid surfer Dean Petty, an instructor and competitor, said the coast's gentle summer waves make it a good place for newcomers to this challenging sport. (8/2/07) Portable DVD players are sharper, cheaper
Norwell mom Tracey Palmer said she couldn't live without her portable DVD player. She doesn't like it when her daughters, Addison, 6, and Hadley, 2, zone out in front of videos, but when they're on long car or airplane rides, her family's portable is a lifesaver. (7/22/07) The ABC's of finding the right tutor
Thomas Glennon, 11, has 4,000 tokens. He's saving them up to earn a stuffed Bart Simpson, lava lamp, or some other treat. And lest you think Glennon has earned these tokens at an amusement park, think again: They are rewards from the Sylvan Learning center in Norwood, where the fourth-grader is enrolled for reading assistance. (7/15/07) A close look at choosing your binoculars
Binoculars are as vital to a bird-watcher as a fishing rod is to a fisherman. A requisite tool of the trade, the right pair not only prevents the finches from looking fuzzy but also enhances the total birding experience. (7/8/07)