Higher Optical VS High Megapixel?

If you can only afford to buy a point and shoot camera, it means basically that any camera is good for you. For example heres one that you might like: $200 PowerShot 7.1MP Digital ELPH Camera SD 1000 It has a 7.1MP more than enough for your daily point and shoot there. Even if one day you decided to blow up one of your pictures from your usual 4X5 to say 11X8, you would not notice anything much. The optical zoom on this camera is perfect for its price. Especially coming from canon, they have a history of making some of the best video and picture camera. Again, if you decided to shoot a picture of someone like 800feet away and expect to zoom all the way into his face, stop dreaming! Most optical equip digital camera especially from canon will be in the 3X optical zoom range. Plus the screen size is big and clear. Here's my tip for you when you do get the camera. 1. Turn off the digital zoom 2. Go to a park and take a couple of shots. Preferably a sunny day and a cloudy day. 3. Take your first ten shots in auto mode, you should not have to worry, it should already be in auto mode. 4. Now switch from from auto to manual, simple as that. a- go to selection mode where you have a selection sunny, cloudy, night, vivid and etc. b- choose vivid option c- now check on your quality capture, make sure its on the highest quality. d- the auto shoot speed should still be on auto. Do not touch it, leave it be. if not change it to auto. e- Now try point and shoot for 10 shots This is what I have on my camera that I used when I do not like carrying the big guns, its the easiest for no brainer like my mom, dad and aunt. Again, for $200 you just can not beat it. I remember when I bought the first sd300 when it came out,man was it pricey. I understand your situation a little, my pocket is bigger, I do not care much about wasting a little bit too much. Here is a must if you do get it: 1. CANON SD1000 7.1 powershot 2. Either choose a 1gb or 2gb, but make sure its the sandisk ultra series. (When you really need your **** to work then and there) 3. Carrying pouch w/lots of cushion. 4. Extra, genuwine ( I mean it) genuwine canon replacement camera.

1. Why can't SpaceX land rockets on a giant air cushion?

The tall thin needle of the SpaceX first stage needs to be very accurately upright in order not to fall over. Any air cushion I can imagine would have a chance of wobbling in a way that would cause it to fall.And in the range of velocities that the descending first stage passes through, I cannot see an air cushion doing much good. The problem is that the engines are vastly overpowered for the empty, unloaded stage. So they have to bring it in fast and fire exactly the right amount to kill the velocity at the same moment as it hits the platform. The precision needed is such that the extra impact that an air cushion might absorb is probably only a few percent of the delta vee - and at a cost in stability. Why can not SpaceX land rockets on a giant air cushion?

2. are there any dorm/sphere chair cushion sewing patterns?

check etsy.com they have great sewing patterns! Hope this helps!

3. What soft, cushion material can I use for slightly padding something and where can I get it?

go to clark rubber. they have heaps of foam as well