Hi, this is my first post, besides my intro. I just started commuting to work last week, on an old MTB. My wife asked if there is anything I could/should get to improve things make it easier, safer whatever. I think my first investment needs to be tires, as the bike has the typical dirt nobbies.
From some articles I read, I'm basically looking for some commuter slicks that fit the larger MTB size. My current tires are 26x1.95. I live in AZ, so wet roads is not really a concern. And my route is 100% paved, half on asphalt streets, and half on nice concrete canal paths. So with that, and what I've read, I'm thinking something with mimimal tread. Does that sound right?

I don't want to break the bank, maybe something <$30 each, and preferrably with some puncture resistance. So far I've picked out these http://www.panaracer.com/urban.php the Ribmo PT model. The site claims they come in 1.75 so I think that will be OK to put on my wheels, not sure. Will that work?
Any other suggestions for tires out there for my kind of conditions and bike? I'm fine ordering online and installing them myself.

Thanks for any help, and I'll keep reading all the great threads here.