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In a graduate IT class, I'm supposed to analyze the best option for replacing our school district's "spoke and hub" network with something more up-to-date and reliable.

Currently we have a "spoke and hub" topology with a gigabit link via fiber from the NOC (network operations center) to each of the 19 district facilities. Apparently complete outages are a problem for this network, so I want to know what's the best option(s) for upgrading it. Our budget for infrastructure is approximately 5.6 million.

Keep in mind this network is supposed to service 19 campuses and nearly 6000 computers. If anyone has suggestions, please let me know.

Do you have any advice on baby gear that is ABSOLUTELY necessary versus something that is not? For example, I've heard that a changing table is a complete waste of money.

Also, if there's something you couldn't live without (absolutely WOULD buy), I'd love to hear about it.

Have any of you had a "Harmony" genetics test (blood test) for Trisomy 21 (Downs), Trisomy 18 & 13? If so, did you get a false positive for this test?

I've heard many stories about women getting false positive results for downs on blood screenings that were supposed to be VERY accurate. A friend of mine had a false positive for downs, but her little girl turned out absolutely normal (not sure what test they did, though.) Any thoughts?

I'm 33 and my husband and I have been married for three years. My mom is unusually "enmeshed" with me. She has no real life of her own and has said that she (and my dad) intend on moving wherever my husband and I end up living. I went through about a year of therapy to deal with my overbearing mother because I was so depressed. I had no idea (at the time) that my depression was caused because she was so overbearing that I felt I had no control over my own life. I'm constantly working on "detaching" from her, but it's really hard because she's not in therapy herself.

She's codependent and always tries to "help." She means well, but she is blissfully unaware that her "helping" and emotional manipulation is unnecessary and unwanted.

How do I explain that I don't want her to move near me without her getting upset? I really need this distance for my own mental sanity. I'm also worried that she's going to get too involved when my husband and I start having kids. She's very sensitive (almost too sensitive) to criticism because she's codependent and doesn't know it. What should I do? Please-- real answers-- real help. Thanks.

I have heard that there are Muslim areas where the police and non-Muslims can't go. Is this true? Do tourists ever accidentally wander into these places? Have any of you (readers) had any experiences with walking near these "zones?"

I'm thinking about buying a gun for personal protection. I'm 32 and about 150lbs. I want something I can use if/when I get a conceal and carry license, and something that doesn't have too much "kick" since I don't have a ton of upper body strength. I assume I'll get more comfortable shooting if I practice more often. Any suggestions?

Also-- what are your thoughts about buying guns at pawn shops vs. new? I've heard that guns hold their value, so buying a used gun isn't that different in price from buying new. Is this true?

My cousin and his wife have been having fertility problems for years. They've tried fertility treatments once, and they're saving $$$ for another round. It's really heartbreaking because they really want to have kids, but they don't have a lot of money. I don't know the details about their fertility issues, but here's my question and it's a bit strange......

If it's an issue regarding his wife's fertility-- can they purchase an egg, fertilize the egg with his sperm and implant them into a surrogate?

So here's the real question-- Can I serve as a surrogate if a fertilized egg is implanted? I know we're related, but the egg (not mine) would already be fertilized with his sperm, so I'm thinking (in theory) I'm serving as a rental womb for a baby that's not genetically mine. Have any of you heard of family members offering to serve as surrogates to carry a pregnancy for another family member?

I assume this type of thing would be okay.

Any thoughts? Also, if you can think of any drawbacks let me know. My mom thinks I'll get attached to the baby, but I tell her it's not genetically mine, so it wouldn't be an issue. I can't think of a more wonderful gift to give someone.

He hasn't visited Israel in the entire four years he's been in office, and he supports the president of Egypt who's a card carrying member of the Muslim Brotherhood. The motto of the Muslim Brotherhood is: "Allah is our objective; the Quran is our law, the Prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations."

Their goal is wiping Israel off the face of the map, and Obama's sending 1.2 BILLION to these guys in Egypt?!!!! How could anyone who is Jewish vote for Obama?