zRoundtable X-Factor Poll

Our poll has it extremely close, with Tate Stevens winning our semi-scientific poll, but with Fifth Harmony's performance in the final bringing them neck and neck and neck with Carly Rose & Tate Stevens.

Enjoy the show.  

The X Factor -- 2012 (Prediction Poll)

Now that we are down to The X Factor finals, we're conducting one of our zRoundtable semi-scientific polls  to help us predict the winner of this year's X Factor competition.

Votes will be tabulated through the finals and up to about 3 hours before the results show.

We will publish results before the finale.

Last Second Holiday Gifts for Kids

For last second holiday gifts for kids, here are some good educational and craft magazines for children.  Highlights is an old-time classic and favorite.




American Girl has good arts & crafts + articles.



Muse is educational and great for 8 to 14 year olds.

Keyboards & Pianos

Here's some information if you are looking into pianos or keyboards.  Nowadays, the "key action" of higher-end keyboards is weighted and very similar to "real" pianos.  We like the "clean look" of the Yamaha P-series.  Casio also has highly-rated keyboards (or digital pianos).  Here are full-sized (88-keys) keyboards:







Smaller keyboards are less expensive -- and may interest some people.  However, the key action won't be the same, and there are fewer keys than an actual piano:




Of course, many prefer an actual "real" piano -- if they can afford one (or have the space for one).  Note, however, that the prices vary, as follows:

• Good quality keyboards - $499+
• Upright Pianos - $2,500+ 
• Baby Grand Pianos - $8,000 - $15,000+

If you get a keyboard, you will also need a stand like this:

Here's a good bundle of one of the best Yamaha keyboards -- that has a lot of things (stand, bench) you'd need: