• I like the investigation plot generation technique from TechNoir. Basically you have a 6x6 table of random plot points (people, places, rumors, things, factions, and items). Pick 3 randomly, and that is the seed of the plot. The PCs are pulled into it with a hook (in TechNoir the players pick 2 people from the list that their PC is connected to.) Then each time they would uncover a lead, another random element from the table is added in.
• For my current Electric Bastionland game, I am using the Wikipedia list of car manufacturers as my name list. Previously, I had printed the Name of the Year brackets and used those.
• Whimsy cards are awesome to add a bunch of mayhem to the game. I used them for the first time last Sunday, and my players loved them.
• Every time the dice are rolled, there should be a consequence. If the PC has time and resources (and the action is possible in the world) it is done. If they are trying to pick a lock, and there is no consequence for failing, don't roll. A failed roll at this point would just bog down the game with more rolls.
• Don't hide traps from the players. Solving the puzzle of how to defeat the trap is more fun than stumbling blindly into damage.

Edit: A word