I had a couple in the 80's and 90's when I had far less area to mow than I do these days. I never had any issues with the models I had back then and unless they hit a serious brain fart I can't imagine they will have regressed with their new designs. Mine had spacers to adjust cut height. I don't see the hover models as any more of a danger to toes than a wheeled model. Both will equally amputate if you give them the chance. I found the easiest way to cut slopes was to do it from the top down, start at the top and allow gravity to take the mower down then pull it back up, don't try pushing uphill. I used a mowing action similarly to how one would use a vacuum cleaner, but then I did have considerably less to cut back then. As long as you go over everything you end up with a nice level lawn As for controlability choose a model that's a suitable size for your mother to handle. From my recollections of the models I had Pros. No wheel groves and you can cut in any direction, so corners and recesses are easier to manage, no having to go backwards then forwards to cut the strip next to the bit you just cut. Very handy if you have lots of obstacles in your garden, much easier to mow around things. They were electric so no engine maintenance, starting problems, fuel cans, oil or air filters to worry about. Just keeping the housing clean after cuts and blade service. Not suggesting that the motors last forever. Cons. It was electric and you had to keep moving the extension cords out of the way. Not being restrained by wheels the free flowing movement means you have to be way more aware of where the cord is. As far as cuts go they did just as good a job as any wheeled rotary mower. There are no wheels, so you have to carry it back to wherever you store it, bear this in mind when you choose a model size for your mother. I cannot comment on the reliability of today's models or the suitability of a rotary mower for the kind of grass you have, all I can do is pass on a consumer review.

Ariens make great snow blowers, but they make them in two distinct quality ranges. I had an 824 for almost 25 years that was still a good workhorse although it had needed a few repairs to the auger drive parts (auger gearcase, bearings and bushings mostly)in its last couple of years. However, I also found a great close-out at HD in February, 2 years ago and bought an 11.5 26LE for $650. (down from around $1495). HD put them on close-out at 60% off, and all the stores in eastern NE were sold out that night. I have found that the new one is much better at throwing snow of all densities - much better chute design that almost never clogs, 40+ foot distance, etc. However, it does not handle as well (balance, drive train to wheels) particularly to do with the locking differential. The old one also had a locking pin, but with it unlocked, it still pushed forward pretty evenly. The new one is always pushing one side much harder, making you work more to hold line (with diff unlocked). The new one has a differential lock that is activated by wire, versus the old that had a solid mechanical pin on the wheel. New mechanism seems frail in comparison, but has been no trouble. If you stop at a dealer, they should have both the LE line and the heavy duty line (forget the letters). The heavy duty line is much more the level of the old machine, with a stronger Auger gear housing, limited slip differential, heavier hand controls, bigger wheels and tires, etc. However, the basic mechanicals seem to be very much the same parts and I decided that the more frail pieces could be easily replaced if they do break sometime. So far, it has been a great deal, but I don't expect it will look as good 25 years from now as the old one which I sold for $400. By the way, when I got it home I pulled it partly apart to add grease everywhere, tighten bolts properly, make adjustments, etc. and that turned out to be a good thing because not all was as I would have liked it out of the box (but just minor maintenance stuff).

Heard things? Yes. Mostly, I've heard questions. There is a similar thread going right now over on chowhound.com where somebody is trying to track down one of the rumored Samsung slide-in ranges with the flex-duo oven. Consumer Reports published a brief note about planning to test a flex-duo oven (on the radiant in the picture you linked to above. About the only a first hand review that I've found is the link below. Here is a link that might be useful: Samsung slide in with flex-duo review

Yes I do have a modular more about that later. I'm looking to put Flexitec down in my kitchen and laundry room. I'm looking at a 20 yr floor not no cheap stuff. Anyone here used this stuff? How does it compare to the other floating vinyl flooring?