For those of you who share a home computer between family members, this is a helpful tip if you’d like to give the kids access to the iTunes Store without giving up your credit card number.

To set up a monthly iTunes Allowance, follow these steps:

* Log in to your main account (your administrative account, if you will–the one you’d like to use to manage the allowance)
* Click Redeem (located under “Quick Links”)
* Select “Gift a Gift on iTunes”
* You’ll see a list of choices–click “Set up an allowance now” next to the piggy bank icon

Once you’re in the iTunes Allowance section, just add your name, the recipient’s name and the monthly allowance. You’ll have the choice to pick when to send the first installment; this will repeat monthly, but you can cancel at any time in your account settings.

__Note: You’ll need to have the Apple ID of the recipient in order to complete the setup. If the recipient doesn’t have one yet, you can create one.__

Click Continue and the recipient will immediately be able to access the credit.

“__via Maclife__”:http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_set_itunes_allowance

I’m still holding out hope that there will be a snowstorm today that will allow me to get in some good runs on the mountain. Due to a very scary concussion that my brother sustained several years ago, I started wearing a helmet while snowboarding, and haven’t looked back since.

One of the products that I love is the Chill Pill Helmet Speakers, since they fit securely inside my helmet and I can listen to my favorite music (on a low-ish volume, of course) while I’m riding. *As a Kibbles & Bytes exclusive, they can now be yours for $9.99 with free shipping! (That’s $15 off.)*

Of course, they’re also great for motorcycle helmets, bike helmets and more. As I listen to Don grumble about how much he hates snow across the room, I know he prefers the former!

__Note: Helmet not included. Sorry, guys.__

Hey, all you Manchester, NH and surrounding area folks! One of our favorite newspapers, “*The Hippo,*”:http://www.hippopress.com is hosting their annual “Best Of” awards, and we need your vote!

We’re still new in the area, but if you’ve been to our location in the Mall of New Hampshire and have had a good experience, tell them: *On Question #125: “Thing we forgot to ask about,” put “Best Computer Service Shop–Small Dog Electronics”*

“*Read more and click through to the survey here.*”:http://www.hippopress.com/best-of-2011 Hurry–voting ends at 11:59pm on February 28. (No love for Leap Year?)

Thanks to all of our loyal customers!

The age of Aquarius may have just ended (Jan 19 – Feb 18), but the *Aqua Speck Case is on sale–at 50% off!*

In the dregs of winter (is this winter?), adding a splash of color to your unibody 15″ MacBook Pro will cheer you up in no time. The Speck Case offers solid, translucent hard shell protection and is vented for safe heat disbursement. It’s also easily removable and features rubberized feet for stability. Of course, you’ll also have access to all ports.

*Happy Birthday, Steve…*
It’s a bittersweet day…though mostly bitter: Steve Jobs was born on February 24, 1955, and today would have been his 57th birthday.

“*Read more on this story here.*”:http://macdailynews.com/2012/02/24/today-is-the-57th-anniversary-of-steve-jobs-birth/
“*Watch his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address.*”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UF8uR6Z6KLc
“*Read more about Steve’s life here.*”:http://www.answers.com/topic/steve-jobs

*2011 iPhone Sales Top 28 Years of Mac Sales*
Yep, you read that right: In 2011, Apple sold more iPhones (55 million!) than they’ve sold Macs since their inception 28 years ago.

“*Read more on this story here.*”:http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/2011_iphone_sales_top_28_years_of_mac_sales/

*Apple Updates Firmware for Notebooks and Desktops*
On Thursday, Apple updated the firmware for the 2011 MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac and Mac mini, improving stability and reliability. Updates are located in Software Update.

“*Read more and see if your machine qualifies here.*”:http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/apple_updates_firmware_for_2011_macbook_pro_air_imac_mac_mini/

Dear Friends,

The sap is running in the sugar maples, clearly the earliest in my memory, the ground is bare and even my kiwi plant is starting to bud. This is the mildest winter that I have seen here in the Green Mountains, but it is not over yet and there is snow in the forecast for tonight.

I had a great time on my break in Jamaica and am rested and ready. I really think that paid vacations may benefit the company either as much or more than the employee, so we ask our employees to take their vacation time in large chunks rather than a day here and a day there. We benefit when employees take the time away from the business, de-stress and then come back with renewed energy and new ideas.

I am very pleased to announce a new/old addition to the Small Dog team. Dawn D’Angelillo was Small Dog’s fourth employee and worked long and hard for the company for a decade before she left to pursue other interests. She was my original co-author for Kibbles & Bytes and was responsible for all of the marketing at Small Dog Electronics. Dawn will be returning to Small Dog Electronics as our Director of Marketing starting next week.