The review by swb@mercury.campbell-mithun.com, though accurate seems a little harsh and may put some people off.  I've been using "Board Buddies" in one configuration or another for probably 12+ years.  I  wouldn't be without them. They hold the work solidly down and against the  rip fence.  If I'm ripping a board -- vertually any size -- I can remove my  hands from the board and walk away while the saw continues to run and the  blade is in the kerf of the board and the board *will not move*. A  convenient feature when you realize you left your push stick on your work  bench.