Cory Doctorow of BoingBoing.net, the "Directory of Wonderful Things" featured the ZUCA Pro in their gadgets section this week. BoingBoing is a two time winner of the Bloggies Weblog of the Year award. Their intellectual, independent punk style has made their publication a premier source of the latest in gadgets, gaming, politics and more for decades.
Excerpt from Cory's post:
I've never tried the Zuca Pro ultraluggage, but the heavy traveler in me responds to it in an absolutely visceral way. It's got a built-in seat and internal, stacking drawer-like sub-luggages, and it fits into overheads....
from Livingdice.com
Many sites do Christmas gift idea lists, but they tend to lean towards the technological (new TVs) or the classical (Dad needs a new tie!) None give a decent list for the role-playing gamer. Sure, these other lists might help with choosing an RPG gamer’s gift, since many RPG gamers are also deeply into tools, technology or other “manly” toys. Well, no more I say! I put together a list of ten items that should jingle the bells of any gamer. I do not earn a dime from any sales of these items, so this list is not a sales gimmick paid for by the marketing department.
1. Custom Dice
Nothing says “I am a gamer with disposable income” more than custom dice. Q-workshop has fascinating designs and reasonable prices.
2. Kilts
Every major convention has a booth filled with kilts. Sadly, most gamers pass them by without a second look. Too bad.
3. Custom Binder for Character Sheets
Admit it. Every gamer has a character binder with some art lifted from a book as a cover. Amateur night is over. Get your binder professionally printed up at Avery.
4. Custom Dice Bag
Custom dice need a custom bag. I am a fan of my leather dice bag, but dicepouch.com can stitch “Gaming Love Machine” into a purple dice bag for those that need to advertise their gamer might.
5. Swords
Yes, it is a cliche, gamers with real swords, but at least you can stab anyone that reminds you of that fact. There are literally dozens of shops that sell replica weapons, but a2armory.com has a nice website.
6. Antique Maps
Most gamers I know are actually closet cartographers. Do the gamer you love a favor and send them a framed map of the old world, complete with sea monsters! Art.com has a few, but there are many fine vendors just a Google search away.
7. Custom Character Portrait
Tire of explaining that “Throkgar the Warlord” has a big scar on his face? Throw a custom character portrait on your folder and display his horrible countenance! AvatarArt has some nice samples on their page and the BASIC portrait is dirt cheap at $25.00.
Offer From AvatarArt: LivingDice readers get $5 off their initial commission, while LivingDice itself will get either $5 cash or $10 in AvatarArt credit (which never expires & is fully transferable) for each unique patron they send our way.
So an even better deal + a way to help support a site you enjoy.
8. Buy Something from Indie Press Revolution
Indie Press Revolution has a large assortment of great games and no corporate overlords. Amazingly, companies besides “Wizards of the Coast” actually produce quality role-playing games. Stick it to the man and shop independently!
9. ZÜCA
Conventions are tiring affairs. Lots of waiting in lines and carrying heavy books through a 25-kilometer long convention center. A ZÜCA solves both issues. It is a wheeled cart for your books and a portable chair in one small package. A bit expensive, but cheaper than a new spine after Gen Con.
10. Dwarven Sweat Shoppe Custom Dice Tray
I reviewed these lovely items a few weeks ago and continue to be impressed by its craftsmanship. At about $40.00 for a base model they are a great gift that will see years of use.
Happy shopping!
Trask, The Last Tyromancer
It's that time of year, all of us are looking for great gift ideas. Here are my top ten gifts for geeks - happy holidays!
#1. iTunes Gift Certificate Amazon Music (DRM free) Gift Certificate (via skoles) $15-$100
#2. Tiny 8GB Washer/Dryer Safe USB Drive $12
#3. Roku Streaming Netflix Player $99 (for Netflix geeks that don't have an XBOX 360)
#4. Arduino $34 (great for geeks getting into electronics)
#5. FlipMinoHD $149-$229 (Flip cameras are easy, fun, and great for shooting internet video)
#6. ZÜCA Pro Luggage $285 (for geeks that travel)
#7. Epson Artisan 800 $230 (the ultimate wireless home office machine)
#8. Drobo $349-$999 (backup/storage for media geeks)
#9. 19-in-1 Micro Tool $12
#10. Casio EX-F1 Slow Motion Camera $964 (Amazon)
A couple months ago, an employee at ZÜCA, Inc., e-mailed me and asked if I had ever heard of their line of luggage. I hadn't.
At that time, I was in a hate-hate relationship with my overnight bag. It was a multiple-pocket duffle bag that had the worst strap configuration known to man on it. When I got it, the bag was empty, and I had no idea how much pain the strap could inflict on my shoulder with even the smallest amount of weight in it.
I decided to check out a ZÜCA bag and see if it might be a nice alternative. I'm glad that I did, because the ZÜCA bag is my new best friend for when I need to travel for a week or less.
Question: What do you get when you mix zillions of folks flying with lots of crazy weather conditions?
Answer: A flightmare!
I have discovered the wonders of ZÜCA luggage. I'm totally smitten with the whole line - the Pro, the Sport and especially the backpack. ZÜCA is tough stuff. And, tres chic. ZÜCA bags have lots of pockets for gadgets, thus appealing to my organizing bias. Their stuff is very well-organized. Let me repeat that - very well-organized.
The ZÜCA Pro received this year's Travel Goods Association's 2008 Product Innovation Award. The TGA recognized the ZÜCA Pro for finding a creative way to meet the demands of today's travelers. Like no other carry-on bag, the Pro's innovative design incorporates an integrated seat that holds up to 300 pounds, has packing pouches, narrow wheels and a patented exoskeleton design.
2008 Product Innovation Award Winners Help Make Travel Easierdownload file
-Introducing the Must Have Travel Carry-All Carry-On for the Road Warrior-
