For those cords we can't shorten ourselves, we are always on the lookout for something to help us out. The Cord Hog is a good solution for those longer cords, as it can contain up to 12 feet of wire in it's small 2-inch ball.
And at six for $6, we might have to try this one out for ourselves. Our only problem, where do you hide the ball once you've hidden the cord?

Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
I had always heard it was dangerous to coil a wire that was to be used...something about concentrating the power or creating a magnetic field, or some such piffle. Anyone else ever hear that?
I have these!! I love them!!!
Daruma, it is true that there will be a magnetic field, but not a dangerous one. Any time there is any current going through a wire, there will be a magnetic field generated. But the strength of that field is dependent on the amount of current going through the wire. Most devices that we use have a low amount of current, so there will be no danger to anyone created by the coil.
Good question, I haven't thought about physics since college. :) My poor brain...
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/chpt_15/1.html