K&B SPECIALS | 8/13/10 – 8/20/10

Until 08/31 we’re offering all “Apple software titles”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|Software on sale, from 10% – 25% off! Some stand-out offers include the latest version Final Cut Studio on sale for $749.99 – the lowest price you’ll find anywhere. Final Cut Studio includes Motion, Final Cut Pro, Soundtrack, and DVD Studio Pro.

“MobileMe”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag20253/at_kb is on sale for 25% off. you can use this to register MobileMe service for the first time, or choose to use this special offer to renew your MobileMe service.

“Click here to see all Apple software titles – all on sale until 8/31!”:http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/x/Apple|Software

This past Wednesday, Apple released the second revision to its iOS4 mobile operating system. This incremental update is focused entirely on patching a security vulnerability associated with Safari’s handling of PDF files. Under the previous iterations of the OS, a malicious PDF file could break through security by exploiting and subsequently crashing the Compact Font Format Handler in Safari. Introduced alongside comex’s fairly innocuous web based “JailbreakMe” exploit, this vulnerability has raised several security concerns. Though the jailbreak is legitimate, the same PDF exploit easily opens the gateway to malicious attacks which could put a user’s data and hardware at risk. Though no such attacks have been reported, a user would merely have to open a PDF to put themselves at risk.

Sensing the potential danger, and attempting to maintain their grasp over unlocked phones, Apple was quick to roll out an update. Though this update fixes the Safari security vulnerability, it also disables any “extra” features. While the update weighs in at a sizable 500MB, it addresses no other issues besides the Safari exploit. Users experiencing other issues under iOS4 will unfortunately have to wait until iOS 4.1 before their problems are further addressed.

Releasing a fix for iPad users as well, Apple has updated the iPad’s OS to version 3.2.2. Both updates can be easily downloadable through iTunes. Upon syncing your device, you should be automatically prompted with a message alerting you to the update. As always, we recommend backing up your device before performing a software update.

Next Thursday, we’re launching a new feature called *TopTen.plist* on our blog “Barkings.”:http://blog.smalldog.com/at_kb

TopTen.plist is a weekly list of the top ten items related to our favorite subjects. Our favorite subjects, of course, are basically Macs, software titles for Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod, apps, music, dogs, hot dogs, food, gadgets, food, the environment, food, Apple history and culture, and food.

Some people say that top ten lists are just a way to grab traffic online. While we can’t deny that thought never crossed our minds, our lists are truly intended to be a fun way to assemble and rank a bunch of related items. By posting them weekly, we’ll get to explore different topics (though it really will generally stay Mac-related, and we’ll mostly keep it useful for you).

We very much want your feedback for ideas for future lists. And when the lists are posted, feel free to comment on the lists with your own ideas, feedback and suggested rankings.

The weekly TopTen.plist will be posted on “Barkings”:http://blog.smalldog.com/at_kb every Thursday afternoon. The first one will be listed next week. Again, let us know if you have ideas for future lists!

Stevie Wonder’s “__Superstition__”:http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=19XpSnZWhPI&offerid=146261&type=3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%252Falbum%252Fstevie-wonder-the-definitive%252Fid3440159%253Fuo%253D4%2526partnerId%253D30 was the first song to come up on shuffle during my commute this morning. I’m normally not a very superstitious person, but when Garrison Keillor reminded me that it was Friday the 13th on the Writer’s Almanac, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was more than a coincidence. Combined with the fact that Mia–a Black Lab–crossed my path as soon as I walked into the office, consider me spooked!

Since superstition is abound, and it’s the only Friday the 13th this year, I thought that it would be especially relevant to lay a few common Mac superstitions to rest. For longtime Mac users the following may seem basic, but keep in mind that many switchers unfortunately are led to believe these myths are true due to previous experience on PCs.

*Your Mac Isn’t Virus-Immune:*

OK, so this one is pretty basic: Macs simply do not get viruses. You’d be surprised how many people immediately construe software or hardware-related issues as a virus. The fact is that there has never been a reported virus on a Mac. There have been internally developed proof-of-concepts as well a security flaws and vulnerabilities in various releases of Apple software, but there has never been a full blown Mac virus in the same vein as those so prevalent on the PC.

*Dell Printer + Mac = 7 Years of Bad Luck:*

This myth is partially true. You will have bad luck if you attempt to get a Dell branded printer to work on a Mac, but likely not 7 years worth. The PC Manufacturer is the only one whose printers are incompatible with Macs. The good news is almost every other USB 2.0 and network-based printer on the market is. A very common misconception amongst switchers is that their existing printer will be incompatible with a new Mac. Not only should the printer be compatible, but many popular printers feature plug-and-play functionality with Mac OS 10.6 Snow Leopard!

*Macs Don’t Play Nice at the Office:*

The majority of businesspeople rely on Microsoft’s Office Suite to some extent in their daily workflow. Since many businesses principally use PCs, it can be a little daunting bringing your new Mac into the office. Many people forget to realize that Microsoft has a version of their popular Office software designed exclusively for Macs! This means that you can continue to use Word, Powerpoint, and Excel even if you jump to a new Mac. Existing documents in Microsoft’s formats are even cross compatible between platforms. Though the interface in the Mac programs is subtly different from their PC counterparts, there is practically no learning curve associated with the software if you have previous experience with it.

Right now the most current edition of Office is *2008*. However, if you purchase the suite between *now and November 30th*, you can qualify for a free upgrade to *Office 2011* when it becomes available. See “*here*”:http://images.smalldog.com/rebates/office2011.pdf for details.

So there you have it. Rest assured that your Mac is free from all of these common tech superstitions. As for yourself, be sure to avoid ladders, black animals, and mirrors for the rest of the day. Happy 13th!

_Dear Friends,_

This week it’s Edward Shepard writing for Don, who is still motorcycling about America. He recently sent us a dispatch from Sturgis, included below. South Dakota is one of my favorite states. I’ve had some notable adventures in the Badlands and the Black Hills, as well as Rapid City (of all places). I hope to visit South Dakota again within the next few years.

Right now, however, I’m in the middle a big move. Mostly I seem to be moving boxes of books. Dozens. Of boxes. Of books. It’s interesting because for the past year, the majority of books I’ve read have been digital. I’ve read them on my Kindle, I’ve read them on the Kindle app on my iPhone, and this spring I started reading them on my iPad. I love reading on my iPad, for one simple reason: the iPad is backlit. That means I can easily read in bed at night without disturbing my bedmate. I don’t need a flashlight, a clip-on backlight, or a bedside lamp. I get to read while my partner gets to sleep. What I’m trying to hint at: a nightly disagreement in my household vanished the day I brought home the iPad.

The majority of books I’ve purchased in the past year have been digital. I do still purchase and read traditional printed books–for example, when a book isn’t available in digital format, or when I’m going to be away from electricity for a few days, or when the book has interesting typography or art that wouldn’t translate well to the digital format. I also buy printed books that I expect I’ll treasure and re-read in future years. But at the moment, moving these endless boxes of books allows me to appreciate literature weighed in electrons, rather than ounces or pounds.*

Do you prefer to read digital books? Or do you loathe the digital format, and expect to prefer paper forever? Or are you like me: balancing the benefits of both, though curious about what the future will bring? From my conversations, I suspect most of you are somewhere in the middle. But please let me know by emailing “ed@smalldog.com.”:mailto:ed@smalldog.com This is an interesting topic, and I hope to return to it in the future!

__*Note: Coincidentally, I’m also in the middle of a move, and I have procrastinated packing my books for the same reason… Now, who wants to pitch in and buy me an iPad? -KH__

Dear Friends, I am officially on vacation out in South Dakota at the biggest party in the USA. There are well over 150,000 motorcyclists out here in the Black Hills riding the hills, shopping for t-shirts and gear, people watching and going to any of dozens of venues for live music.

Small Dog customer Bonnie London manages the VIP section at the famous Buffalo Chip campground and she hooked Grace, Tony and I up with special access tickets for the shows. Last night we went to see Orianthi ( a very special guitarist that totally rocked the place), Bob Dylan and Kid Rock. We were right in front of the stage and I posted some pictures on “our Flickr page.”:http://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/ This is a huge shout out to Bonnie for the very special treatment and an opportunity to listen to a great set by the “soundtrack for my life,” Bob Dylan.

Tony, Grace and I rode over to Wyoming today to visit Devil’s Tower and drove through some spectacular country. The people out here are so hospitable and friendly. The motorcyclists from all over the world were just as friendly and it’s a good thing, because it is crowded here in the Black Hills. I met a man from Connecticut that had the identical motorcycle as mine (there are only 100 like it), and as we compared notes at Devil’s Tower, we discovered we had almost exactly the same mileage on our bikes (within 10 miles!).

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming…