How To

How to add QR codes to your photos

QR codes are cool, but they haven't quite caught on en masse yet, because finding cool uses for them have been challenging.

One popular use for QR codes is printing them on business cards. Sharon Vaknin also showed you a clever way to make a personalized QR code gift tag. In this tutorial, we're going to show you how to add a QR code to a digital photo.

Digital photos contain lots of data in them, like locations, dates, and camera type, but once they're printed, you're left with just the photo. With a QR code, … Read more

Add RSS feeds from Google Reader to Google Currents

If you haven't grabbed the app yet, get Google Currents for Android, or Google Currents for iPhone.

Step 1: Open the app and make sure you're on the Library tab.

Step 2: Swipe through the edition tiles to find the one labeled "Add more" and then press it.

Step 3: Scroll down to Google Reader in the list that loads.

Step 4: You'll see the RSS feeds you're subscribed to through Google Reader. Just press the Add button next to the ones you want to add to Google Currents.

Step 5: You'll … Read more

How to sync Google Docs to your PC, Dropbox-style

Working within the Cloud using Google Docs is a great way to ensure that your content is available whenever you need it. Well, almost whenever, as there are some situations (power/Internet outage, Google services down temporarily, etc.) where relying on the Cloud can leave you stuck. 

KumoSync is a tool that can prevent you from being stranded without your data. It works by syncing your Google Docs data to your PC (even your shared content), so you can work on your computer at work or home and have the changes uploaded for you automatically. Follow these seven steps … Read more

Navigate the Twitter redesign with keyboard shortcuts

If you're a Twitter.com user, you may have been caught off-guard earlier today with the complete redesign of the Web site.

Though the UI has been redesigned, Twitter.com's keyboard shortcuts still work with a few new additions. To get around the Twitter redesign without worrying about where everything went, try these shortcuts:

Actions n : new Tweet r : reply t : retweet m : direct message f : favorite Enter : toggle detail pane l : close all open tweets (new)

Navigation j : next Tweet k : previous Tweet space : page down / : search . : refresh Tweets ? : display keyboard shortcuts

Jumping g then h : home … Read more

Find out if someone's logging in to your Facebook account

If you've noticed some suspicious activity on your Facebook account--messages you never sent, Wall posts you never published, or Notifications you never checked--someone might be logging into your account.

And because they can use your username (unique URL) to log in, all they need is your password to access your account.

Luckily, Facebook recognizes this possibility and has implemented some security tools to ease your worries and help you keep track of any mischief on your account.

To get started, head to Account Settings > Security. Then consider the following security options:

1. Keep tabs on hackers with log-in … Read more

Five things to know about the new Twitter app

Twitter rolled out a clean redesign for its Android and iOS apps today, and while it might seem like only a cosmetic change, some big updates are buried in the new app.

But as you dive in, you might notice that some features are missing, too.

Here's what's fresh (and what's missing) in the new Twitter app for iOS (iPhone only) and Android:

1. Keep tabs on important topics with Discover Perhaps the most obvious change, the new "Discover" tab is a revamped portal for hash tags and trending topics. Trending hash tags--which were initially … Read more

How to decode QR codes without scanning them

QR codes make life easier for everyone these days, but that just means it also makes life easier for the bad guys. There may not be that many QR scams out there--yet--but it's still prudent to keep from scanning codes from sources you don't trust. Chrome users can check things out before scanning with QRreader, a nifty extension that will let you know what lurks beneath the pixels. Here's how to use it: 

Install QRreader from the Chrome Store. When you see a QR code on a Web page, just right-click it and select "… Read more

How to simplify charitable holiday giving

Maybe you want to give a little extra to make the holidays brighter for others, or maybe you want to make a donation in the name of that friend or relative who has everything.

Charitable donations are understandably popular at this time of year, but they're not always easy or seamless. Fortunately, there are many simple ways to integrate charitable giving into your regular shopping routines. Here are a few of the best:

Buy4 is a shopping portal that lets you donate a portion of your online purchases from hundreds of different outlets (including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and … Read more

How to resell unwanted Groupon coupons

Those helicopter-pilot lessons probably sounded like a good idea at the time, but now you're thinking you'd rather stay on the ground and put that $50 back in your pocket.

Call it coupon remorse, that feeling you get after buying the daily deal from Groupon, LivingSocial, or any of their countless competitors. Either you no longer want the deal, or you can't take advantage of it for some reason. (The school play is the same night as those Cirque du Soleil tickets? Damn!)

Fortunately, several sites now offer you the chance to get some or all of … Read more