Gentlefolk,

Now that the gift giving is, for most of us, behind us, let me make a suggestion.

If you, or anyone you know, has received a computer for Christmas, please consider as an alternative to discarding it, donating it to one of the organizations which refurbish them and them distribute them to those who need them. While that cantankerous dinosaur which you can FINALLY get rid of may be nothing compared to the rocket you just plugged in, there remain many who would be very pleased indeed to get their hands on a working system.

Most of the organizations listed below will reformat your drive, and load the latest drivers for any peripherals to go with the system etc., so there is little need to be concerned about data security. If there is data about which you feel particularly squeamish, there are programs available which can render any file unrecoverable by anyone other than the government spy agencies.

Free disk cleaning software for Wintel boxes available at Shareware.com
Eraser
Disk Cleaner
Sure Delete

MacOS Disk Cleaning Software ... sorry, I'm not really up to speed here
SuperScrubber
iClean
Norton Utilities

While on the subject of government agencies, you may be able, of course you may not be able, to get a tax break for your donation. If you plan on getting rid of a computer anytime soon, give the organizations below a thought.

The Lazarus Foundation

World Computer Exchange

East-West Education Development Foundation

Another Byte

Gifts In Kind America

Share the Technology

Computer Recycling Center

National Cristina Foundation

The Surplus Exchange

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York & Northern NJ

__________________
Eudaimonia