On Computers

“123D Catch” is a free app from Autodesk that lets you use the iPad 2 or iPad 3 to create 3D renderings of objects snapped with the tablet’s camera. You have to send the 3D code generated by the app to a 3D printer or laser cutter. There are a number of services that provide that and costs vary, but we thought they were reasonable. Replicate your dog, your sofa, your mother-in-law. There’s also a desktop version at 123dapp.com/catch .

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Filed under: apps, art, graphics, how-to | Comments Off on AN ALMOST REAL THING

Most people use the mouse to execute commands in Windows. But the keyboard is quicker. We’ve done these shortcuts before, but users keep asking so we’re back.

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Filed under: Windows | Comments Off on WINDOWS SHORTCUTS

Classmates.com started ten years before Facebook, and in a flush of social media enthusiasm, we signed up. That was a mistake. Last week we tried to get out.

We weren’t trying to get our $39 a year back. Just cancel a

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Filed under: social networks | Comments Off on THE ART OF THE BAD DEAL

“Cutting the cord” these days means waving bye-bye to your monthly cable bill. But it depends on how much you like convenience, local sports, skipping commercials, and a few other things.

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Filed under: TV, video | Comments Off on CUTTING THE CORD

Four slim volumes from MakerPress.com can help you rule the world, or at least a small country. “Slim Volume” is a common phrase in publishing, but these four are really slim: 60-90 pages.

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Filed under: books, how-to | Comments Off on ODD BOOKS

“PlaySay” for iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad is a free game that teaches you Spanish by giving you practice with a real person from another country. Listen to a phrase in Spanish, then tap the record button to record yourself repeating it; your Spanish-speaking partner will hear only the English equivalent. When he or she responds, you’ll hear the answer in Spanish, with an English translation.

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Filed under: apps, education | Comments Off on LEARNING A LANGUAGE LIVE

Our 89-year-old aunt’s iPad arrived the other day and for several days it stayed in the box. (Imagine, for the sake of contrast, a 3 year-old’s reaction. He’d have it out of there in a minute and would probably have it figured out in 15.)

Still, our aunt is ve

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Filed under: Apple, iPad, tech support | 2 Comments »

Amazon is now producing sitcoms and children’s TV for their “Instant Video” service on the web. If you have a script, you can submit it and get an answer within 45 days. That’s a far cry from the runaround most writers get when pitching scripts. Hooray for the digital age.

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Filed under: Amazon, business, TV, video | Comments Off on SELL YOUR TV OR MOVIE SCRIPT TO AMAZON

It turns out that buying a Mac or iPad at an online store like Amazon, MacMall or MacConnection, is often cheaper than buying one at an Apple store.

That struck us as pretty odd because of the way Apple closely controls it’s pricing, But a deal’s a deal, and we’re not going to knock it. Next question: Should you wait for a later version or go for it now? DealNews.org helps you decide. Click on “When to Buy a Mac” to get the results of three years worth of price research. (They also sell refurbished MacBooks.)

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Filed under: discounts, shopping | Comments Off on SAVING A BUCK ON APPLES

If you ever wanted to get paid for testing iPhone, iPad, Android or Blackberry apps, head over to UserTesting.com. Answer four questions about your experience with an app or a mobile website and get $10. To sign up, click the “We’re Hiring” link at the bottom of the UserTesting home page.

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Filed under: apps | 2 Comments »