SPECIALS | 11/06/09 – 11/13/09

I love using tabs–even though I’m lucky to use a 30″ display at work, I still find that it’s the best way to maximize my desktop space and workflow. I use them in just about any application I can. Most of you are probably aware that tabs are a useful aspect of a web browser, but this tip makes Safari especially great.

Safari allows you to save a set of tabs in your bookmarks. If you have several tabs open that you use fairly often, you can save the set to be opened at any time. I find I use this every week to set up our newsletters–I simply have a bookmark in my Bookmarks Bar that says “Kibbles” and it automatically opens all associated tabs I use.

*Here’s how:*

* When you have all the tabs open you want to save in a window, select *Bookmark > Add Bookmark for…*
* Safari will prompt you to save the group in your bookmarks.
* Name it what you want, save it and then click your new bookmark when you’re ready to view your tabs!

You’ll be able to differentiate saved tabs bookmarks from regular ones by the small square icon next to the name. And I thought bookmark __folders__ in Safari were the best thing since sliced bread…!

We all know that there are **a lot** of options when it comes to choosing a sound system for your iPod. Gone are the days of building up a huge stereo system–everything nowadays has a focus on smaller footprint with big sound.

The new “MIX Boombox”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847 from “Altec Lansing”:http://www.smalldog.com/search/?find=altec+lansing delivers on both. As somewhat of an audiophile, I am generally skeptical of small speakers in a unit promising big full sound; usually these units focus all of the power into the subwoofers, giving an overly muddy and excessively bass heavy sound. Not the case here…

I was pleasantly surprised when I plugged my iPod into the “MIX.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847 There was a good separation of bass, midrange and highs, lending an overall balance to the sound. I was able to hear all of the speakers doing their part–the side firing woofers providing generous bass, and great separation between the highs (cymbals, high piano notes, etc) and midrange (general guitar work, keyboards, vocals).

But, the best part is that the “MIX”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847 has a built-in equalizer so you can adjust the sound to your liking, either just bass and treble levels, or really getting into the frequency range and tweaking the 7 band EQ, allowing you to tailor the sound specifically to your liking. Want to groove to some bass-heavy hip hop and really feel the beat? Easily done. Want to listen to a Beethoven Symphony and hear the detail in the higher frequencies? Easily done as well.

I tend to listen to a lot of electronic music that uses the full audible sound spectrum, so the ultimate test for me is if a speaker system can support the sub bass and ultra-high frequencies present in this music without breakup–which this product does in spades. Oh, and it needs to be said that the “MIX”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847 can go LOUD–and I mean shake-your-walls, annoy-the-neighbors loud. I love it.

One other very impressive feature of the MIX is the ability to connect three devices easily. There is one fixed dock that will charge and play your iPod or iPhone, and two auxiliary jacks allow your friends an easy way to plug their iPods or MP3 players in without having to undock your iPod or connect a portable CD player (if you still listen to CDs!!). Of course, you can always plug your computer into the system, making this boombox a staple at parties. Throw some batteries in and take it with you to the beach get a party going!

The “MIX”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847 is an excellent portable system that delivers high performance sound and flexibility at a great midrange price point (and well worth every penny).

**$299.99** “See it here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74847

We’ve added to the three Chill Pill colors, black, red and silver, with a new blue model! Check out the new color “here.”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/74391

*And, for one week only, we’re offering free shipping–an exclusive Kibbles & Bytes Reader Special.* “Click here to view/purchase this exclusive special.”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag19564/at_kb __(Note: Be sure to use this link; otherwise, the special is not viewable on the web!)__

It looks like we are going to have a nice weekend here in the Green Mountains. I’ve buttoned up most of my motorcycles but kept one ready to go so I think we’ll get out for a ride in November. Grace’s bike is at Ron Hernandez’s shop in Burlington.

A long time ago Ron called and I happened to answer the phone and we got talking about painting motorcycles. Ron is ‘Airbrush Ron’ and is an airbrush artist. I was looking for a birthday present for Grace, so I searched our database and found Ron; he’s going to do something special on Grace’s ride. I think it will have something to do with chickens–I’ll post the final product when Ron is done in the spring.

Thank you for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

Your Kibbles & Bytes Team,
_Don, Kali and Ed_

In years past, “Macheist”:http://www.macheist.com has grown famous for offering incredible bundles of high-quality, independent Mac software, usually priced for just $49. This is a savings of literally hundreds of dollars. I’ve personally discovered and downloaded some great software from these bundles in the past–software I continue to use daily.

This year, “Macheist.com”:http://www.macheist.com has outdone themselves by offering a FREE bundle of six great software titles. It’s worth checking this out, even if you’re only likely to use one or two of the titles.

Say hello to the “MacHeist nanoBundle”:http://www.macheist.com:

* “ShoveBox”:http://www.macheist.com/#shovebox – ($25) – Catch all the little scraps of information that you can’t immediately act on, but don’t want to forget. ShoveBox sits up in your menu bar, waiting for you to drag in text, images, URLs, and more.

* “WriteRoom”:http://www.macheist.com/#writeroom – ($25) – Writeroom is a simple, but powerful app that provides you with a distraction-free writing environment. WriteRoom does one main thing and does it incredibly well: It’s all about writing…

* “Twitterrific”:http://www.macheist.com/#twitterrific – $14.99 – Twitterrific is an exquisite app that enables you to make the most out of your Twitter experience. It has a clean user interface that’s designed to take up little of your precious desktop space. Twitterrific is packed with features, so that you’ll feel like you’re in total control over everything you do on Twitter.

* “TinyGrab”:http://www.macheist.com/#tinygrab – ($14) – TinyGrab is a simple, powerful app that enables you to quickly share screenshots of everything on your Mac. TinyGrab quickly uploads the screenshot and puts the URL for it on your Clipboard so you can easily share it via email, IM, Twitter, Facebook, etc.

* “Hordes of Orcs”:http://www.macheist.com/#hordes – ($25) – Hordes of Orcs is a Tower Defense strategy game where you build walls and towers to defend your village from orcs gone rogue. There are several different towers, each with its own unique abilities. Build Arrow Towers, Radiation Towers, Fire Towers, and more to keep your village safe from the deadly clutches of green meanies.

* “Mariner Write”:http://www.macheist.com/#marinerwrite – ($50) – Unlocked for everyone when Macheist reaches 500,000 participants! Mariner Write is a fast, streamlined word processor that’s useful for everyone… professional writers, educators, students, casual computer users, and everyone in-between. It has a simple, elegant user interface so that you can create beautiful documents the very first time you start using it. If you’re tied to using Microsoft Word, then don’t fret… Mariner Write has the power to open and edit Word documents with ease. And it can save your documents in many different formats including RTF, PDF, and various other formats. You stay compatible.

Click here to visit “MacHeist”:http://www.macheist.com to learn more and download all the great apps!

Thank you so much to everyone who voted and entered. Don’t worry, if you didn’t win this time, there will be plenty more chances to win a prize pack from Small Dog!

*Halloween Costume Contest Winner:* Allison S. of Addison, TX
*Twitter Winner:* Megan M. of Williston, VT
*Facebook Winner:* Michael T. of San Jose, CA
*Newsletter Winner:* Joseph C. of NY, NY

Prizes are on their way!