Quick, I need ideas on ways to feed a variety of wild birds?

I just had a confrontation with a squirrel. Over the past few weeks I have become really interested in feeding the local wild birds. They are beautiful. I went to Lowe’s and bought a feeder and the squirrels not only ate the majority of the seed but they chewed the damn thing to pieces. I went back to lowe’s and bought a bigger, metal, more expensive, so-called squirrel-proof feeder. I look out the window today and this little punk squirrel is hanging upside down eating all the seed. I ran outside twice and told him to back off. He ran up the tree and just stared at me. The look he gave me said “whatever”. As soon as he saw me go back into the house he resumed his meal! I got fed up and removed the damn feeder. Now I like squirrels and would have no problem sharing but they scare away all the birds and eat all the seed. So they have got to go. I need ideas on how I can feed a variety of wild birds and still keep most of the squirrels away. Some people on Amazon.com said they just put the birdfeeder on a table on their patio/deck. The squirrels aparently wont come that close to the house. I dont want to get one that hangs from the window because my cats will jump on the window and scare the birds away. Need help.