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I use instapaper to save articles to read later. I'd love an app with similar functionality that also does great text-to-speech, so I can listen to articles while I walk, do housework, etc... Any suggestions? I've tried pocket, which as okay, but the quality of the Text-to-speech seems worse than what I encounter in other tools. Like I want something that sounds as good at chatGPT in voice mode. Does this exist?
posted by ManInSuit at 8:12 AM - 6 answers

I'm putting together some material for my Graphic Design students about using generative AI. I've found some good basic explainers about LLMs as in this video by Grant Sanderson. Is there a similar video or article that explains how Image generating AI like MidJourney works? That's suitable for not-very-computer-literate students? [more inside]
posted by Zumbador at 2:46 AM - 12 answers

Hello, I recently took a position where I'm managing a group of 50 TAs and Tutors. When I arrived the process to do this was totally bonkers and I've been trying to simplify things to the best of my ability. [more inside]
posted by PHINC at 4:39 AM - 3 answers

I started getting back into playing chess after a dear Welsh friend and I would play several games many moons ago at a cafe. I have been using a wooden walnut board (non-electronic) which was $63 in total and it looks pretty decent. I do like playing chess bots and with friends online at chess.com as well. [more inside]
posted by RearWindow at 1:04 PM - 1 answers

A thread from a few years ago recommended low cost US mobile phone plans from Ting and Ultra as options for setting up and receiving 2FA texts from US financial institutions while in Europe. Are those still good options or is there something better? [more inside]
posted by perrouno at 6:01 AM - 8 answers

I have an iPhone 13, and I recently purchased a NUBWO G06 Dual Wireless Gaming Headset: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BYNQPGQJ And while it works fine on my Windows 11 Dell laptop, it will not connect through Bluetooth iPhone 13 and I have no idea why? It comes with a 1* 2.4GHz Wireless USB Dongle which I plug into my laptop and the blue light appears on it, but it doesn't work when I plug it into the laptop or when I take it out for trying to connect it to my iPhone 13. The usb dongle metal part that goes in the laptop is slightly bent, but still has a blue light.
posted by RearWindow at 4:53 PM - 9 answers

I remember hearing a podcast about the Log4j vulnerability that focused on how the original author was badgered into handing over the project to someone who turned out to be a bad actor. I thought it was on RadioLab or Planet Money but can't find it on their sites.
posted by espertus at 3:00 PM - 4 answers

Is there a (preferably free or one-time payment) app for ios that will allow me to completely block me from using a configurable list of apps during certain time periods? Looking for something that can help me focus.
posted by NoneOfTheAbove at 8:47 PM - 10 answers

I help maintain a 2100 sq ft space that functions as a volunteer-run community center. It seems like there should be a Serious Business robot vac that could help us. Is there? [more inside]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 1:19 PM - 3 answers

I'm looking to de-smartphone, but would love to keep at least some of the following, in descending order of importance: texting with emojis and maybe GIFs; taking nice photos; recording nice video; accessing a very limited amount of internet (like, clunky emergency levels); sending and receiving photos and video; and communicating with other people who use Whatsapp. The catch: I do _not_ want to just get a smartphone and disable it. Ideas? [more inside]
posted by Bardolph at 12:11 PM - 6 answers

I read exclusively on screen. I've had a bunch of kindles but now I read on Samsung tablet and phone. I usually buy the books on Amazon and read on the kindle app. I'd like to buy a dedicated e-reader, but want to stop using Amazon because [waves at the world]. What device and/or service would be the best/easiest/most cost effective to switch to? [more inside]
posted by signal at 5:00 PM - 16 answers

I'm looking for a boombox (portable stereo / speaker) that has a CD player, great bass sound, and is not huge. Do you have an old one? Tell me the model and I'll see if I can buy it used. New pointers appreciated too. More below the fold. [more inside]
posted by intermod at 3:38 PM - 5 answers

Windows 11 dropped the People app, except for accessing through Windows Mail or Calendar, but then decided we all had to have 'New Outlook'. What application can replace the contact management function, import those contacts already existing, and NOT be dependent upon the Microsoft cloud or Edge browser? Preferable free, but not an absolute requirement. Please don't suggest "use Outlook" because the person who will be using this has repeatedly refused to use Outlook because of a bad experience with it at one job, years ago.
posted by TimHare at 1:02 PM - 2 answers

I currently have a Pixel 4a which is on its last legs. I enjoy it because of its small size (5.7" x 2.73" x 0.32"). I like small phones but it looks like the market keeps moving towards large phones. I was hoping the Pixel 9a would be small, but leaked specs make it look like it's going to be quite a bit larger. I also feel like I should make a move before tariffs come along to hike prices (ugh). [more inside]
posted by jasper411 at 7:23 AM - 14 answers

Seeking gift ideas for two siblings, age 3 and 5, who LOVE interactive educational toys that talk or play music. (And, perhaps most importantly, the parents approve of noisy electronic gifts, lol). [more inside]
posted by nouvelle-personne at 8:11 AM - 12 answers

My husband impulsively purchased two years of NordVPN. (Some election anxiety behind that, probably.) It seems like it won’t work on our Roku but it’s currently installed on our phones so I suppose we could case to the tv. What can I do with this tech?
posted by PussKillian at 2:58 PM - 12 answers

Seeking a replacement for an ollllld version of lightroom for a specific, file management task. [more inside]
posted by furnace.heart at 1:40 PM - 4 answers

Looking to set up a CMS for an organization that aspires to be a mutlilingual operation. My last experience was Drupal. Wondering if there are ~better~ modern workflows and alternatives? [more inside]
posted by Jack Karaoke at 8:56 AM - 4 answers

Making a cookbook of old recipes, having lots of bottlenecks! [more inside]
posted by silsurf at 6:43 AM - 14 answers

I've got close to 60,000 photos in my library. As I keep learning there are nude ones in there that have been sent to me over the years and somehow synced into it. And I keep finding them at inopportune moments. Short of going through each pic, is there any other option for searching for them? If you search DOG you get all the dog pics. Is there ANYTHING out there that helps me narrow this down?
posted by rileyray3000 at 5:59 PM - 6 answers