[ale] Semi-OT, inexpensive(ish) gigabit switches

[kwc at shell.TheWorld.com (Ken Cochran)]

Hi folks, any wisdom/info/RTFM about suitable/recommended
"extensions" to the typically only 4 Ethernet ports on home
routers nowadays?  Would need gigabit of course.  Do the
"rules of ethernet" still apply nowadays (e.g. the 5-4-3 rule)?
I'm thinking a gigabit switch, say, 5 or 8 ports.  Managed or
unmanaged?  Any makes/models to look for or avoid?  Or are they
all so similar inside that it just doesn't matter anymore?
Thanks, -kc