Traditionalists might balk, but the holiday shopping season is already underway. Skeptical? Head to your local department store and you'll be inundated by Christmas trees and ornaments. Bargain hunters, though, know that the real deals are more than a month away.
Black Friday, traditionally, is when retailers truly slash prices. Early birds can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars off of their holiday bills. Switched.com checked with a few elves, who gave a sneak peek at what you can expect deal-wise this year.
Blu-ray Players and Movies: Blu-ray is shaping up to be the biggest door buster of this year's Black Friday. de Grandpre expects at least one retailer will offer a Blu-ray player for just $49. Look for bargains on Blu-ray films as well, with last year's hit titles (such as "Iron Man") to fall as low as $5.
Laptops: With the proliferation of Netbooks this year, it's never been easier to find affordable portable computing, but Dan de Grandpre, CEO of DealNews.com says it will get even cheaper on Black Friday. Look for well-equipped Netbooks to sell for $199 – and basic 15" laptops to go for as little as $249.
HDTVs (Pretty big): The holidays are typically the best time to buy a new TV – and Black Friday is the time to do it. If you're looking for a normal sized set, you're in luck. Piper Jaffrey analyst Mitch Kaiser says he expects to see 32-inch LCD sets for as low as $299. GottaDeal.com is estimating 37-inch plasma and LCD sets will fall to $399 or less.
HDTVs (Really big): Need something bigger? How about a 46-47 inch LCD set for $599 – a 25 percent savings? Or a 52-inch LCD for $999? Dealnews says you can expect both. Plasma deals will be a little harder to come by, but a 50-inch set should run roughly $899.
HD Camcorders: You've wanted to shoot your child's school play in HD for a while, but haven't been able to spring for the pricey camcorder. This might be the year. Low-end, flash-based 720p models could drop as low as $60 (though you won't be able to zoom with those). Expect a high quality 1080p HD camcorder for $349.
GPS: While navigation systems have dramatically expanded their reach this year – even making it onto the iPhone – there's still a market for car-based systems. Dealnews predicts you'll be able to find a no-name entry-level system for $49, while a Garmin or Tom-Tom brand will be as low as $69.
Digital Picture Frames: Showcasing your digital pictures consistently gets cheaper. This year, skip the 7-inch screens and focus on the 8- or 9-inch ones, which should be available on Black Friday for as little as $30.
Monitors: Computer monitors might not be the sexiest of gifts, but they're usually welcomed with open arms – and they'll be cheap this year. Name brand 22-inch LCD models may go for as low as $99, while 24-inch models will drop below $150.
Memory: Don't know anyone who needs a monitor? External hard drives are always popular, since they're an easy way to back-up data. Dealnews expects a 1TB drive to fall as low as $49 this year. Gottadeal is looking for 8GB flash drives to hit $15.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
tnipnad said 7:20PM on 12-07-2007
FIRE HIS BUTT!
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ascatal said 12:38PM on 12-08-2007
okay this guy is an idiot, although id love to hear his explanation as to why he did it
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dawn said 4:20PM on 12-08-2007
tnipnad,
duh.
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Ronald Glendon said 4:51PM on 12-08-2007
Although he was incorrect in doing what is against school policy, the event proves how uptight we are as a society generally. The topic is so taboo, that we are never going to be able to discuss anything dealing with our "other world" the one the churches and do gooders deem out of bounds. No wonder we are dumber than dirt about oursleves and how to please anyone else.
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Haley said 11:17AM on 4-06-2009
I don't necessarily see how that shows up tightness. =/ Personally I go to class to learn, not to view porn. Unless you illustrate porn in a lecture (relating to that in some way, such as Censorship) or warn students beforehand, that is the only way it's acceptable. Pornography is kept "secretive" for a reason.
Not to mention, there were school policies broken and the students were made vulnerable in this position. The point was it was unnecessary and just uncalled for.
Are you saying that showing something like suicidal or violent pictures would be better? Or you might as well have someone commit suicide in the classroom since we're so "uptight". Clearly, society does not find that morally right. Some people don't view pornograhy as morally right either. Depending on what was shown students could have seriously been effected long term. It could change their views/perceptions on things.
An example would be if a rape scenario was shown. It's obvious that could cause long term effects. For all the teacher knew, someone in the class could have been raped before and the pornography reminds them of this, thus hurting them and causing long term damage (more so than before). Not all students would feel comfortable with viewing Pornography.
Pornography has many definitions, so it can't be put just to one. The main point is the students weren't warned beforehand. That is the problem.
Esteban said 5:26PM on 12-08-2007
should be put into jail!
http://www.spymac.com/details/?2315603
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Chuck Barlow said 9:14PM on 12-08-2007
Children are being desencitized to immorality, between rap/rock music, video games, pedaphiles, broken homes, homosexual agendas, and now the epidemic of teachers and their sex scandals what chance does a child have now, God is not going to allow this to go on much longer!
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Shawn said 11:00PM on 12-08-2007
Firstly Chuck Barlow, while some of your comments on what is corrupting America's children are true, you are missing the point. Most of these things are situations that parents can keep their children out of. Parents and people in America need to start being responsible for their own actions. Rap and rock music can have some bad values in it, but it is up to us as adults to choose what we let our kids listen to. Video games are not a cause of violence, and again parents must monitor what games their young children play. We must monitor them and pay attention, not scrutinize and criticize, but teach good values and morals that they can build thier own life choices on. Instead of blaming everyone else for the wrongdoings in society, why don't we try instilling values in our children instead? The blame game gets us nowhere and our time could be better focused on helping children deal with the situations in life. We need to get a clue.
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tiskismet said 11:54PM on 12-08-2007
While I find it horrendous that a sub would do this under any circumstance, I take a bit of an issue with Chuck Barlow's take on the current situation. I teach literacy and constantly struggle trying to get kids to make meaningful connections to other books or even appropriate movies when discussing literature. Kids simply are exposed to too much garbage and parents allow it. Does your kid play endless video games and watch age-inappropriate movies? Then STOP them!!! Give them only healthier choices. Be the parent for God's sake...if not, then for your child's sake.
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Coe Case said 1:58AM on 12-09-2007
What was the source of the report? Is it just an unsubstantiated rumor created by a student?
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France said 7:43AM on 12-09-2007
It is simply amazing how teachers have become so involved in what is either illegal or inappropriate in the classroom. These people have infiltrated what is an honorable profession. Doesn't anyone check their background?
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Shay said 8:05AM on 12-09-2007
I think the problem is that some kids(sorry) do not know what the word NO means. Mine do, and they know what is acceptable and what is not. I have made that very plain and they have never crossed the bounders. Ihave always monitored my childrens friends,and activities. I have never stepped in excepted when asked for advise on something. I am the parent, not them, so it up to me to see to their safety, of both body and mind. Under no circumstances would I lie to my child, if they won`t to know something I will tell them. I will teach my child what they need to know about sex,I have lots of good medical books that explains everything.
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dr tim said 10:10AM on 12-09-2007
tHIS AS USUAL IS HALF A STORY....aol DOESNT GIVE ENOUGH INFO... Names, places and details... without it is not much better than hearsay.
Was it porn...with people doing things, or was it a half nude woman?? There is a difference...Actually I do not think its such a big deal. The kids can get it themselves..on their computer...My message to everyone..life is hard enough..lighten up.....and the people who scream the loudest..need the dick more than anyone.
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dr tim said 10:15AM on 12-09-2007
Blame music and porn for demoralizing the nation.... dont blame BUSh who has destoryed the economy....killed our children, destoryed nations....its BUSH Relgious right.. that is doing the screaming...about demoralizing...WELL BOYS AND GIRLS BUSH IS THE MOST DEMORALIZING THING IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.... hE IS EVIL, OBSCENE, MENTALLY ILL, A DRUG ADDDICT AND ALOCOHOLIC STILL...AND SHOUL DBE IMPEACHED ANDPUT IN JAIL
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dr tim said 10:29AM on 12-09-2007
This function is not working
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nic said 6:02PM on 12-09-2007
silly teacher.
but all in all so what big frakkin' deal
high school students have been considered adults for 99.9 % of human history and all of a sudden a pic of booby will destroy them?
kind of like the dumb ass underage drinking nonsense- sorry if you can get your face shot off you can have a beer
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TDX said 6:38PM on 12-09-2007
Plezzzze, kids are going to look if someone shows them. Except for what they need to look at. If this "news break" is for real. People, we have other bigger fish to fry in this freaked up world.
I teach little kids and guess what? Yeah, they tell me things from home that would make Don Imus blush. This is the 21 century, we want nicer kids then we must work at it. All of us!!
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Terri said 8:44PM on 12-09-2007
Already many people are trying to hang this guy, and there is no actual proof of anything. It just kills me how people get all up in arms when a teacher is accused of something, but yet these same people will send their kids to school dressed in skimpy outfits and allow them to listen to rap music laced with profanity.There is a double standard that needs to be changed before any improvement can be made in society as a whole.
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GARY said 10:19PM on 12-09-2007
Dr timmy,
You are a total imbecile, a nimrod,a cretin, to say the least.
You might be a proctologist, because you really are an a$$hole that is really full of Sh$$.
You need some help, you need head doc.
The REAL truth is, that you are not a doctor, just a wackjob!
Someone who is upposed to be a teacher and shows the students porn, needs his butt kicked by one of the parents!
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userbub said 11:58PM on 12-09-2007
hey kids check out my new cell phone. look at this... i can watch porno while i teach. this one is called 'naughty school girls', my fav. gather round everyone, you don't want to miss this.
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