Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with dock

Please help me find a wall-mounted iPhone dock.

The corpse in the library — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:50:04 -0800

Please help me find a wall-mounted iPhone dock. I'm looking for an iPhone dock with all these features:

- wall-mounted
- has an FM radio that works when there's no phone docked
- recharges the iPhone
- iPhone shielded
- available in the US, preferably from Amazon (for wish list convenience)
- can hold an iPhone that's in a SwitchEasy case

This is going in the kitchen and needs to be loud enough to battle the washing machine, children playing, etc. Preferably it would cost less than $200, but the names of any docks with all those features would be appreciated.

any idea where i can get an out-of-warranty ipod dock repaired?

camdan — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:51:57 -0800

i purchased a specktone retro ii a couple years back, basically this thing. unfortunately, i got it at a bargain bin reduced price from an ebay mass seller, with a very short warranty. sure enough, right at the end of the warranty the thing started wigging out. the original seller wouldn't take it back, of course, and the manufacturer won't take it either; they said to return it to the seller. a perfect feedback loop of screwed.

you might tell me to cut my losses and buy a new dock. and i do have another dock. but i like this thing. the sound is great, it looks cool, and it takes up very little space. it's just sitting around and i hate to waste it. every few months i'll start it up again, and i get a nice 15 minutes of brigadoon before the thing starts flipping out. i'd like to work it out. i need to work it out.

oh the problem - it plays fine for the first 15 minutes or so, then the audio cuts in and out continually in split second bursts. your only option is to unplug it, let it sit for awhile, then start over again. (if left plugged in the problem will continue without the ipod docked - the speakers cut in and out continually without cessation.)

if anyone knows anywhere i could send this thing to get it fixed, that would be great. if it's someplace in the atlanta area that would be even better. what would be THE BEST, if it's a simple solution that i can fix myself, and someone could tell me how to do it. it's got to have something to do with the power, and not the docking mechanism itself.
thank you! come again.

Mac noob not liking the Dock

fx3000 — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 18:12:26 -0800

Long time Windows user just got a 13" MacBook. I'm not liking the Dock that much. Can I modify it or replace it with something else? What alternatives can I consider? I know to keep an open mind when you are trying something new and used to something else (the Windows taskbar and Windows Key + R in this case), but after a day of using my new MacBook I don't think I am going to like the Dock. For one, it seems like it's very pretty but a waste of space (even after I made it a little smaller). A 13" Macbook already has little enough screen space. Perhaps if I had some gigantoid monitor I wouldn't mind as much. Also I have trouble assessing what I have open when I glance at it. It feels weird to have launch icons mixed with things I have open. On Windows I lanch most apps by hitting Win+R with just a few launch icons on the desktop. So far I've been trying to use Spotlight the same way. It would probably help if the icons in the Dock had some labels. The criticisms listed here pretty much sum up the other things I have been noticing.

I almost always want function over form when I am computing. Fortunately I am not replacing my Windows desktop - I just got the MacBook to replace my old PC laptop which I used part-time. I would like to become a lot more efficient using a Mac and simply enjoy using it though.

OS X 10.5.6 Dock remains hidden

the_binary_blues — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:20:33 -0800

I have OS X 10.5.6 and Logitech V470 bluetooth mouse. 1. When I hide the dock it stays hidden and there is no way for me to get the dock to reappear without turning off autohide 2. My courser works sporadically a. sometimes it will only work on some area's of the screen b. sometimes it won't recognize clicks Are these related? and can I fix this? will the plist file removal work?

my computer is:
I have a macbook 2.16GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
with 2GB of SDRAM
running OS X 10.5.6

How can I launch URLs from the OS X dock (with proper icons)?

SethLeonard — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:34:09 -0800

How can I create an app/shortcut that lives in the OS X dock that has an icon of my choosing and launches in the browser of my choice? Difficulty: no @ icons, no SSB. It seemed like a simple task when I decided I wanted to launch Google Docs from my OS X dock. However, after much searching and testing, I have found the following options, none of which work for me:

1) Drag the URL/favicon onto the dock. This works great to launch the web page I want from the dock in my default browser (what I wanted). However, it also has that lame @ icon (which I can't seem to change to anything but a file type preview icon) AND it is forced to live outside of the app section.

2) Use a tool like Fluid (fluidapp.com) to create an application to launch the URL. This works great by using the icon of my choice and being able to be placed in the app section (solves above problems). But it also forces these links to open in an SSB (site specific browser) that loses all of my cookies, etc. I'd rather it just open in Firefox.

So, does anyone know of a way that I can combine these and have a URL launch from the dock:

- with the icon of my choice
- in Firefox
- from the app section of the dock (optional)

???

Thanks,
Seth

Dock for aging iPod?

beniamino — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:43:08 -0800

I am looking for an iPod dock/speaker system which fulfills the following criteria: definitely known to be compatible with 3rd generation iPod (i.e. the dock provides power and receives sound via dock connector), AC powered, available in the UK, cost (new or used) less than about £30. Most retailers are vague about which iPod models are compatible with their docks, and most current docks only support 4th generation or newer iPods (it seems the dock connector on the 3G had a different pinout). I'm struggling to find available docks that are known good with the 3G.

A Dock for My Pod

wintermute2_0 — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:12:10 -0800

iPodFilter: Help me pick out a decent iPod dock from amongst all the substandard crap out there. I've been looking for a decent quality iPod dock for my still-kicking 4G iPod (a.k.a. iPod photo). It's for a bedroom, so I don't need big sound, but it shouldn't sound like a kid's phonograph either. An FM receiver would be a nice bonus.

I've been looking at the XtremeMac Tango Studio X2 as well as this Sony bookshelf system. There are so many docks on the market, but most of them seem like crap. I'd appreciate any recommendations that help me separate the wheat from the chaff.

Thanks, hive mind.

What happened to my dock (et al)??

Return Zero — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 20:13:45 -0800

I was recently trying to add a "Recents" stack to my dock in Mac OS 10.5.2 using Terminal. I entered a command, pressed enter, and then restarted the dock. From then on, I could not use the dock anymore, nor Dashboard, Spaces, Expose, or the application switcher. I also noticed that my motion sensors do not work anymore. Everything still works on other accounts on my computer, just not on my administrator account. Any ideas about how to fix this?

No more bounce! Damn ye, Mac dock!

grumblebee — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:42:45 -0800

Does anyone know a way to stop icons from bouncing on the OS X doc? I'm NOT talking about unchecking "animate opening applications" in the dock preferences. That only stops opening-app bounces. I want to stop warning bounces, too. They drive me crazy. Please note that I'm using an INTEL Mac (Leopard). I've only been able to find solutions for PowerPC Macs.

Please help my dock and apps play nicely together

bricoleur — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 06:15:01 -0800

On my Mac (Tiger), I prefer to have the dock at the bottom, hidden. But all my applications insist on opening new documents and windows so that the new window touches the bottom of the screen. As a result, it often happens that when I go to resize the window by grabbing the bottom right corner, I invoke the dock instead. Usually, a second try will be successful, but this is annoying as heck. Is there a global setting that will tell my applications to stay out of that last quarter inch of my screen? Or some other solution to this?

Where exactly did my ancestors disembark in New York when they arrived from Ireland?

pantufla — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:08:55 -0800

Where exactly did my ancestors disembark in New York when they arrived from Ireland? I have 2 arrivals I am researching

First, my grand aunt left Cobh, Ireland on the Carinthia (Cunard line), on September 25th, 1927, arriving in New York on October 2nd, 1927. She was 17 years old, and entering the US for the first time. What dock would she have arrived at? What would the landing procedure entail?

Second,
My grandfather, his wife, and 2 kids left Londonderry on August 7th, 1935 aboard the Caledonia (Anchor shipping line), traveling 3rd class, and arrived in New York on August 16th, 1935. They were re-entering the U.S. with re-entry permits. What dock would they have arrived at? What would the landing procedure entail?

The family legend is that these folks did not enter the US through Ellis Island, but I'd like to know exactly where they did enter.

Any info greatly appreciated!

Alberto

How to make X11 applications show up in the Dock?

jpf — Tue, 01 May 2007 10:47:23 -0800

Is there a way in to make Mac OS X X11 applications show up in the Dock separately? I make frequent use of several X11 applications. It bothers me that there isn't a way to access an X11 application from the Dock without clicking on the X11 icon and then selecting the appropriate application. Is there a way to do this?

Tips for an affordable but decent iPod dock?

hypocritical ross — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:46:20 -0800

I need a cheap but decent portable iPod dock, ideally for under $150. This is a present for a dad who is not an audiophile, so top-notch sound quality is not an issue. He will probably be using it while working out, so something with a remote that can put out enough sound to be audible over the hum of a treadmill would probably be ideal. Anyone have any good/bad experiences with any of these options from best buy? Birthday is rapidly approaching, so ordering something online is probably not an option. Any recommendations for something cheap, decent, and available at a standard-issue big box retailer (best buy, circuit city, etc) would be much appreciated.

OSX Dock Assimilation

wearyaswater — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:14:39 -0800

How can I make the OSX Dock the same for all user accounts? There must be an easier way to do this in 10.4 then logging in as each user and editing the dock manually. I don't want to lock the dock - just make it the same initially for all user accounts.

Dude, I'm growing a beard here!

sourwookie — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:05:30 -0800

I need an iPod dock with TV navigation (or screen on remote) that isn't slower than a hydro-cephalic Box Turtle with a knee injury checking out art at the Louvre on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Currently I use a Griffin Tunecenter, plugged into my stereo and TV. My iPod is of the 60gig 5G variety.

It is absolutely stuffed with music, over 14,000 songs.

The problem with the Griffin Tunecenter is that to even scroll by band requires holding down that scroll button FOR-FREAKIN'-EVER! Seriously. A minute of holdiing down that button and I'm still on the "B" bands. God forbid I should ever listen to The Waterboys, it would take 20 minutes. Searching by song is completely out of the question as getting to "Zombie Woof" would take hours.

Anyone know of a dock-type dealie w/remote that allows me to navigate with the speed and ease at least approaching that of the iPod itself?

Why can't I right-click quit apps in my OS X Dock?

jdurlowe — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 02:31:27 -0800

I've been having an issue for the last couple days with my OS X dock. I installed Tinker Tools to move it to the bottom right. It seemed to work fine, but then all of a sudden, I couldn't quit applications by right clicking on its icon in the dock and selecting 'Quit'. I restored the dock settings to default, but it still isn't working after a number of restarts. Any other method of quitting (such as Command + Q) works fine. Anyone know how I can fix this?

Please Point Me at Some Nice Icons

interrobang — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:07:15 -0800

I'm looking for simple, spare, classy Mac icons—I'm tired of looking at the stuff in my dock. I'd like to replace everything with some icons that are cool and unified, but not fancy. There are lots of sites out there that have icon sets, but I'd like some specific suggestions. Thanks! Oh yeah, and this has to be free.

Properly enabling USB 2.0 via a Thinkpad docking station?

MaverickX — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 20:36:59 -0800

Help! Stuck with USB 1.1 on a Thinkpad T40 when connected to an IBM Mini Dock. Hey guys, I'm using a Thinkpad T40 notebook with 2 USB 2.0 ports. I also have an IBM Thinkpad Mini-Dock (2878) which works well and purports to have 4 USB 2.0 ports.

However, with my Thinkpad in the Mini-Dock, when I plug any USB device (external hard drive, mouse), a Windows pop-up appears saying something to the effect of "This Device would work faster if you were using a USB 2.0 enabled port".

So is my mini-dock holding me back? The message doesn't seem to come up when I connect to the notebook's USB port directly.

Help my iPod know (in the Biblical sense) some other equipment

grumblebee — Sun, 06 Aug 2006 15:29:27 -0800

I'm having trouble connecting my iPod to my PC and to an external speaker system.

I had an old 3G ipod. I broke it. So I just bought a new one -- a 5G 6GB Video iPod. To my shagrin, it needs a USB 2.0 port. My creaking old PC, with my music library on it, only has USB 1.0 ports. It didn't occur to me that I'd need USB 2.0, because my 3G iPod connected through Firewire.

I bought a USB 2.0 card and tried to intall it, but it screwed up my computer (Ethernet stopped working), so I removed it.

Is there such a thing as a USB to Firewire converter? If so, will it work with my iPod? Is ther ANY way I can plug my new iPod into the Firewire port on my old PC? My guess is no, but I quake at the prospect of trying to get USB 2.O working on this old machine. Has anyone had similar problems installing USB 2.0? How did you get around the hardware conflict?

I have a speaker system with an iPod dock connector built into it. It works great, but in order to plug my iPod into it, I have to remove the iPod from it's protective case. (The case makes it too big to fit -- even though the case has a hole in it to supposedly let it plug into a dock.)

I HATE removing it from its case, because that's how I broke my old one. I'm a butterfingers and I drop the iPod often. As-long-as it's in its case, it always seems to emerge okay.

Is there such a thing as an iPod extension chord? I've searched and can't find one. To be specific, I want something that I can plug into the bottom of my iPod, and, at the other end, into a dock. I hope that makes sense.

Cutting into chipboard for desk, without leaving hideous insides showing?

taita_cakes — Mon, 15 May 2006 05:02:21 -0800

Carving docks into desk: If we're going to sling some MDF or other density chipboard style wood between two walls as a benchtop, how can we cut holes for ipods, phones, and usb plugs without having hideous amounts of chipboard showing through? So we're finally replacing this cramped up desk and filing cabinet with a very long piece of chipboard or similar to form the main benchtop. Price is key, why buy expensive wood when my father is happy purchasing some medium density wood to use for a fraction of the price?

The trouble is, when using stuff like this, you have a nice white benchtop but if you cut into it, using anything like a jigsaw, a handsaw, even a drill, you are left with incredibly flaky, fiberous contents showing. I want to know if it is possible to cover these with that iron on edging [obviously not] or something similar, or you can recommend a smooth wood that can be painted or coated subtly.

This is what we are used to, obviously you can get more dense, but can you still smoothly finish such materials?

Thanks for your help.

Can I setup a program in OSX to only run at login on a specific day of the week?

Chuck Cheeze — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 14:35:44 -0800

Can I setup a program in OSX to only run at login on a specific day of the week? I want to backup my hard drive one time a week. I like iBackup, its simple and free. I can schedule it to do the backup, lets say, on Wednesday at noon. No problem. But to make sure that happens, I have to set it as a program that will run upon login. I wouldn't mind this so much but 1) I like to leave as much memory free as I can, and this take memory up the other 6 days a week, and 2) When open, iBackup sits in the dock.

I guess an alternative would be how to hide the dock icon full time. But i'd rather just have it run from startup on the day I specify.

Thanks

What's up with my iPod battery?

pdb — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 08:02:47 -0800

Why did my 4g iPod battery completely discharge last night? I went to bed last night with my 4th gen, 40 gig iPod secure in its dock, and fully charged - the "charged" icon and the full battery picture were displaying (I'm on XP, for what it's worth). I wake up this morning and there's no picture displayed on the iPod's screen, and several attempts to start the iPod were met with the "empty battery" picture.

When I re-set the iPod and put it back on the dock, instead of the "charging" icon, I got a picture that looked like the charging icon, but didn't indicate charging - the picture wasn't animated, in other words, and no charge was apparently getting to the iPod.

Charging it through the wall adaptor seems to be working fine, and there's no apparent ill effects - all my music is still there, and it's charging as I would expect and working fine. The only things that changed on either the iPod or my iTunes between yesterday afternoon when it was docked and this morning is that I downloaded a couple of podcasts; other than that, nothin'.

So, what's the deal? If the dock was dying/dead, that wouldn't completely drain the battery, would it? the iPod's just over a year old, so I wouldn't think the battery would be ready to die quite yet.

Anybody have any ideas?

Is the iPod dock worth it?

sid — Thu, 03 Mar 2005 10:40:47 -0800

iPodFilter: I'm on the verge of buying an iPod, and am wondering if the dock is worth it. I'm on a budget, so $40 for the dock adds a significant amount to my purchase, but if you people think it's necessary, I'm willing to spring for it.

Any other iPod accessories worth buying right off the bat?