Kibbles & Bytes Blog

Apple news, tech tips, and more…

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  • Adobe Flash Plug-In issue with previous OSX versions (10.5 and 10.6)

    If you’ve purchased a computer in the last four years, this post does not apply to you, but if you’re one of many that haven’t committed to upgrading your system just yet then please continue reading.

    If you’ve upgraded to/from either Leopard (OS 10.5.8) or Snow Leopard (OS 10.6.8), you may have discovered that Safari (version 5.1.7) stubbornly refuses to play Flash-based media. This would be web content that involves motion graphics. There are a few reasons for this.

    The most simple resolution is simply navigating to Adobe’s website and installing the latest version of “*Flash Player*”:http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/”:http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/

    Another issue could have to do with your system’s software updates. Have you run all of your software updates? Mind you, this process may need to be performed a few times as more current updates do not become available until previous ones have been installed. More specifically, you’ll want to be sure to run any and all OS X Security Updates for Leopard/Snow Leopard.

    The reason for this is because Safari 5.1.7 for OS X Snow Leopard, and Leopard Security Update 2012-003 disable out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player. Out-of-date versions of Adobe Flash Player do not include the latest security updates and will be disabled to help keep your Mac secure. If Safari 5.1.7 or Leopard Security Update 2012-003 detects an out-of-date version of Flash Player on your system, you will see a dialog informing you that Flash Player has been disabled. The dialog provides the option to go directly to Adobe’s website, where you can download and install an updated version of Flash Player.

    However, if your software is completely up to date and/or you’ve installed the latest version of Flash Player from Adobe’s site, I suggest following these instructions that might resolve your issue. Quit out of Safari before performing this task.

    * Navigate to the /Library/Internet Plug-Ins (Disabled) folder.
    * Drag “Flash Player.plugin” into /Library/Internet Plug-Ins.
    * If the browser is running, quit and restart it.

  • iOS and Music Apps

    Since mobile devices have been getting more powerful it is no surprise that they are starting to take on roles typically reserved for computers. Music making on iOS devices may have garnered a reputation for being toy-like in the beginning because the first wave of devices had meager amounts of power and limited interface space before the debut of the iPad. Today’s devices completely turn that notion on their heads and can even offer a better solution to portable recording than a laptop for some.

    An avid community of developers have turned the iPad into a device that can reliably be a tool for any kind of musician, from hobbyists to professionals. One of the big secrets which may not be at all clear initially is: “How do I connect my iPad to a keyboard, interface, mic, etc. ?” The answer is that the “*Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter*”:http://www.smalldog.com/product/82141/apple-lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter will connect any class-compliant MIDI device and most USB-based audio interfaces (with interfaces it is a good idea to double check for compatibility as there are a few that do not work). So now we have a way to hook up music gear directly to the iPad.

    The next step is to get an app to play with. If you are looking to make “produced” music on the iPad there are a plethora of options out there:

    “*Animoog*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/animoog/id471638724?mt=8&uo=4&at=11lb7k is revered as one of the best sounding and original synths out there, with a legendary name to back up the sound. There are also many ports of computer synths such as offerings from Arturia and Korg as well as “*THOR by Propellerhead,*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/thor-polysonic-synthesizer/id660195946?mt=8&at=11lb7k the legendary semi-modular monster synth from their flagship music production software.

    So now you’ve got an app and want to add, let’s say, some reverb. Well, a quick app store search will reveal many audio effects that you can process your sound generators with. But how do you get the audio to the reverb? An app called “*Audiobus*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/audiobus/id558513570?mt=8&uo=4&at=11lb7k (an absolute essential on the iPad) routes your audio from one app to another, as well as saving the states of your synths (if the app supports that function; currently adoption of this feature is growing fast) as a preset to recall your synths and effects and routings all at once. You’ve now got a cool synthesizer, with a few effects to start playing with!

    Now what if you want to record your performance? What if you just want to use your iPad as a portable field recorder? The app options here vary wildly in price from free to $50 for the best. Programs like the free recorders are good for getting ideas out and apps such as Cubasis give you the features and power that you need to make full productions.

    “*Focusrite*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tape-by-focusrite/id681747796?mt=8&at=11lb7k makes a great free one, with offerings going up to Steinberg’s $50 “*Cubasis*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cubasis-music-production-system/id583976519?mt=8&at=11lb7k which has complete DAW features such as apps as insert effects, support to receive audiobus in order to record your synth performances, and even automation!

    Also be sure to check out Novation’s “*Launchpad*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/novation-launchpad/id584362474?mt=8&at=11lb7k looping app. Anyone familiar with using Ableton Live will feel right at home here. It is free to use with their presets and in-app purchase gives you the ability to import your own samples!

    This is just barely scratching the surface of the ecosystem, and if you are interested in digging deeper, check out websites like “*Synthtopia*”:http://www.synthtopia.com or “*Create Digital Music*”:http://createdigitalmusic.com for news on the latest apps.

  • Learn to Code

    Throughout my life all of my computer use has involved using software of one form or another to fill a specific purpose. Of course there have been instances of relying on $900 software (the kind that costs $300 to upgrade the next year). More often than not, however, I’ve relied on small independent hobbyists or developers to provide small utilities that were meant to solve only one small problem here and there. I use many tiny pieces of software like this daily, and it got me thinking.

    ??’I want to be able to use software like a tool, as they do. I want to be able to program in a way that allows me to solve my own problems.’??

    I’d learned some HTML4 and PHP/MySQL in high school, but that was over ten years ago. I decided I would start following the path of least resistance, just to get my feet wet. I’ve started using “*www.codeacademy.com*”:http://www.codeacademy.com, as they have an excellent tutorial program that’s completely free and web-based. I’ve been learning Python (programming language for higher-end website tools) with their system and have been finding it quick and painless. It is just a beginner introduction though.

    CodeAcademy also has an app for iOS called “*Code Hour.*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/codecademy-code-hour/id762950096?mt=8&at=11lb7k If you’re a complete beginner to the world of programming and want an idea of what it’s like, I’d suggest picking it up. The entire point to the app is showing one what programming is like in an hour’s time.

    I am of the belief that getting ones feet wet in things like this, for no matter how basic a computer user, will improve confidence and experience in other areas of computing. At the very least, it may dissolve some of that discomfort of not knowing how the “black box” of this technology operates.

  • Sometimes I see teenagers standing in queues with their parents, eyes glued to the screen of a smart phone or tablet, oblivious to the world around them. I roll my eyes as I remember times when patience was in high demand and kids had to use their imagination to keep busy. And then I pull out my iPhone and play a couple rounds of “*Robot Unicorn Attack 2.*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/robot-unicorn-attack-2/id541672969?mt=8&at=11lb7k

    While it’s important to remove yourself from your device from time to time, boredom has changed shape since I was a kid. I’m constantly connected to world news, I never need to print out directions, and I always have something to do while waiting for my bros to finish clothes shopping (they take so long in the dressing room, ugh). Here are five of my favorite apps I used almost everyday:

    “*Songza*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/songza/id453111583?mt=8 — This music app was recently purchased by Google and allows users to select curated playlists based on mood and activities.

    “*BBC News*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bbc-news/id364147881?mt=8 — Forget celebrity gossip and sensational journalism with this news app and go right to the world’s most important stories.

    “*Duolingo*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/duolingo-learn-languages-for/id570060128?mt=8 — Turns learning a new language from a difficult task into a challenging game that only takes a few minutes at a time.

    “*TeamViewer*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/teamviewer-remote-control/id692035811?mt=8 — This remote desktop app is the perfect solution for controlling your PC or Mac from your device.

    “*Find My iPhone*”:https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/find-my-iphone/id376101648?mt=8 — I no longer struggle when my girlfriend loses her iPhone thanks to this phone finding app from Apple.

    Today in Tech Tails, we go into our passions and hobbies as we talk about an easy introduction into the world of coding and how to turn your iPad into a music production device. We’ll also cover fixes for Adobe Flash issues running on older operating systems. Enjoy!

    – Mike D
    “*miked@smalldog.com*”:mailto:miked@smalldog.com

  • Just four weeks after Grace had her hip replaced, she has thrown her leg over her motorcycle and seems to be ready to try a ride. Pretty amazing stuff. It is all about festivals, farmer’s markets and of course, sweet corn this time of year, so there are plenty of destinations for a ride.

    Thanks for reading this issue of Kibbles & Bytes!

    Your Kibbles & Bytes team,
    _Don, Kali & Stephanie_

  • The Triple Bottom Line

    As I listened to the pitches this week from entrepreneurs across the state, one of the questions I asked was, “how will you measure your success?” The answers were interesting both because I never heard the answer “I want to get rich” and because many of these entrepreneurs had “multiple bottom lines.”

    When Hapy and I started Small Dog Electronics, it was both because we had discovered that we could not work for anyone else (so we had to roll our own jobs), and that we wanted to demonstrate that a business can be more than simply a money machine.

    We have described before how we measure success by using the triple bottom line of socially responsible businesses — People, Planet and Profit — in equal measures. Early in my business career, I learned that profit was the key to being able to make meaningful change and achieve our goals for People and Planet, however, even in the hardest times, we have maintained the commitment to be a different kind of business.

    As you know, we speak out on issues that are important to us and our Charitable Contribution Program includes donation matching, where we match customer’s contributions to featured, diverse non-profit groups. We concentrate our efforts and funds in the following areas:

    * Women’s rights
    * Human rights
    * Relieving Hunger
    * Protecting the Environment
    * Gay & Lesbian Rights
    * Dog Welfare

    We have also been leaders in recognizing the important task of keeping electronic waste out of our landfills. We have held numerous eWaste collection events and I am pretty sure we are still the only electronics retailer that can claim to have recycled more electronics than we have sold (is that a good thing?). Our solar array at our headquarters here in Waitsfield, Vermont provides 100% of the electricity for our S. Burlington store and about 80% for our offices and warehouse here. We have an electric truck to ferry goods from warehouse-to-store and have regular discussions on how we can further reduce our carbon footprint.

    There is so much more that we would like to do both for the world we live in and for our employees, vendors and community. We are very proud to measure our success not solely on the number of dollar bills on the table but also upon who we are, what we do, and of course, how much fun we have!

  • iPhone 6 Rumors

    As the September/October months approach, everyone starts to get the Apple announcement inch. More specifically: Will there be a new iPhone? We’ve seen a fair amount of rumors floating around the internet these days about what the new iPhone 6 will feature. I’ve gathered some of the most persistent rumors and compiled them for you folks who are interested.

    *Power Boost*

    I feel like every time a new iPhone is released, they claim the battery will be better than before. However, this time analysts are claiming that the iPhone 6 could be released with a 2,100mAh capacity battery which is a big bump up from the 1,560mAh battery on the iPhone 5s. Bigger batteries generally have a greater capacity, which equals better battery life.

    *Two Larger Screen Size*

    The new iPhone is said to feature a 4.7-inch screen version as well as a 5.5-inch screen — the latter being released at a later time. There have been some photos floating around the web showcasing a super thin iPhone with a screen that extends to the edge of the phone.

    *Updated Features*

    Updated features of the phone include a super slim frame, an A8 chip, 13mp camera, health monitors and apps, 4.7-inch screen (like I mentioned above) and apparently, there are mixed reports as to whether or not the new phone will contain sapphire glass.

    *Release Date*

    Reports are leaning towards a September release date — more specifically, around September 9th. October 14th is also said to be an immense day — however whether that is an iPhone or iPad launch is unknown.

    We all get just as excited as many of you do for these dates, as Apple honestly tells us nothing about what is going to be released. When we do get word of an event or release, the day generally consists of all of us Small Doggers gathering in the conference room to watch the Keynote on the overhead projector and take bets on what the latest and greatest is going to be.

    We’re excited and hope you are as well. As always, upon official word of an announcement or event, we’ll keep you posted in Kibbles & Bytes!

  • Fare Thee Well, Kibbles Readers!

    It’s hard to believe that it’s been over seven years since I came to Vermont to take a job at Small Dog. I had been working at another Apple Specialist in New Hampshire in the three years prior, and was excited to immerse myself in the Vermont community and culture. And immerse myself, I did.

    From the “*competitive bocce tournaments*”:https://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/sets/72157622474907880/ and the “*Annual Halloween Costume Contests*”:https://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/sets/ to the “*eWaste Recycling Events*”:https://www.flickr.com/photos/smalldog/sets/72157617001479815/ and of course, the innumerable customer-focused materials and content we provide via the website, our newsletters and retail stores, I have thoroughly enjoyed the fun, community-minded way of life that Small Dog affords.

    I was hired as the ‘Marketing & Design Dog’ in 2007, later created a more social media-centric position as a Web, Social Media & Publications Manager, and for the last two years, was the Director of Marketing. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow and learn in such a fast-paced, creative environment, and will certainly miss my days here in the “fishbowl” (read: large, open office, often subjected to Don’s “Reggae Thursdays”).

    Perhaps most notably, I will miss contributing to Kibbles & Bytes, Small Dog’s longest-running weekly e-newsletter (shout out to all of our readers who have been subscribing since ’96!), both as a writer and editor. In the last few years, I’ve actually wished that I could write more, but it’s been really cool to be behind-the-scenes for (just about) every issue we’ve published since July ’07!

    Overall, Kibbles readers are thoroughly engaged, and you often take the time to email us and let us know what you’re thinking, whether it’s because of a particularly divisive Soapbox or a Mac Treat that has you thinking. Keep ’em coming.

    Thanks for the memories — and as always, thanks for reading!

    __Note: On my very last day here, my trusty computer crashed, taking my almost-completed article with it. Because of course. Hope you enjoyed the rewrite; best wishes to all of our loyal readers out there — I’ll miss you!__

  • Kali Hilke

    Small Dog veteran, marketing maven, co-writer and editor of Kibbles & Bytes for many years is leaving Small Dog Electronics today. She will be sorely missed and has made significant contributions to the company, not only by the work she does but also by her unwavering commitment to the company’s social mission.

    Always with a smile, a laugh and high energy, Kali has been great to work with and I know you will join me in wishing her the very best in her next adventure.

  • _Dear Friends_,

    I spent some time this week with the enviable combination of motorcycling in the Green Mountains and listening to business pitches from entrepreneurs with businesses that ranged from bridal wear, to carved bears, to solar furnaces. It was a great experience both to meet and listen to the pitches and to ride with some of the most influential business leaders and investors. Even the Lt. Governor, Phil Scott, joined us for a ride to St. Johnsbury.

    Apple released new beta versions of Mac OS X Yosemite and iOS 8 to developers this week. Each version seems to add a bit more stability and some new features. This latest version of iOS 8 seems to have disabled some apps that will launch and then quit, but either later versions will fix this or the app developers will update their apps when the final version is released. I really think you are going to love some of the new features that are working well now, especially Continuity and Handoff; Apple is spending a lot of time fine-tuning HealthKit and HomeKit so that they may become just as valuable.

    Our Dog Days of Summer, Back-to-Class promotion is in full swing with some of the best deals we have ever offered on Macs and iPads. Be sure to check out the savings! The weather hasn’t exactly been typical (or tropical) with night time temperatures in the low 50s and highs during the day staying comfortably in the 70s. While most of my garden is doing great, vegetables that like heat, such as eggplants, are not doing so well up on Prickly Mountain.

    For this week’s Kibbles & Bytes special I am going “old school” and offering the 160GB iPod classic in silver so that you can carry your entire music collection with you wherever you go. And because you listen to a LOT of music, I think you need a good set of over-the-ear headphones, and what better combination than a set of original Beats Studio Headphones with active noise cancellation in bright red?! This combination normally sells for $500, but exclusively, while current supply lasts, you can get this music bundle for $75 off at $425!

    “*Make sure to get his deal here!*”:http://www.smalldog.com/wag900001564/don-s-ipod-beats-combo

  • Nate will go over three major aspects of iPhoto: *Organization* (of course!), *Editing* and *Sharing.*

    Among dozens of other things, you’ll learn how to import, create and merge Events, how to use the built-in tools to adjust and tweak your photos for best results, and the ways in which you can easily share your photos with others.

    __Note: Topics cover features available in iPhoto ’11. Previous versions have similar relevant features, but participants may get the most out of these tips if they’re using the current version of iPhoto (found on Macs c. 2013 and later and running Mac OS 10.7+).__