Not every computer user turns his or her attic into a graveyard for outdated, useless PCs the way I do, as I described in a post last week on the safe and sane way to dispose of an old hard drive.
But before you don the goggles and break out the power tools, consider whether there isn't some mileage left in the drive, as well as in the PC you removed it from. It has never been easier to find a nonprofit willing to sanitize and refurbish old computers.However, if the system has indeed chomped its last bit, there are plenty of organizations that will ensure that it's disposed of responsibly, including the device's original vendor, in many cases.
Can you donate that old computer?
Just because you've run out of uses for an old desktop or notebook PC doesn't mean somebody else won't find it usable. To determine whether a computer is a candidate for donation, read TechSoup.org's Ten tips for donating a computer.
Among the nonprofit's tips is a link to a page that lets you find PC refurbishers by U.S. ZIP code. TechSoup.org also provides links to free programs that remove your personal information prior to donating. However, the organization recommends that you leave the PC's operating system intact, if possible, and that you include the original software and documentation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's eCycling site lists information on finding a local electronics-donation center and provides links to the donation and recycling programs offered by manufacturers and government agencies. The EPA site also has an extensive FAQ on electronics recycling and reuse.
In addition to the electronics-recycling resources listed on the EPA's eCycling site, Goodwill Industries offers tips for donating a computer.
Keep PC toxins out of the environment
If that old PC has truly reached the end of the road, don't just toss it in the garbage or dump it in the local landfill. Some of the components inside the case use toxic chemicals that can leech into the environment. In fact, improper disposal of electronics equipment is illegal in California and other states.
Last November, the TV news magazine 60 Minutes ran a segment on the toxins in electronics equipment that are finding their way into the land, watersheds, and us. Much of this toxic residue ends up in dumps overseas. (60 Minutes is owned by CBS. CNET News is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.) The Electronics TakeBack Coalition provides a wealth of information on ways to combat pollution from electronics waste.
We may not celebrate it until April 22 this year, but every day is Earth Day, after all.
MP3 players that use AAA batteries can come in handy in situations where USB power is hard to come by.
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)The farther you travel from civilization, the more impractical your USB-rechargeable gadgets become. If your iPod runs out of juice while you're backpacking through Borneo, suddenly that high-end MP3 player is just dead weight.
You may not be able to find an iPod charging dock in the Arctic Tundra or the Australian Outback, but your chances of finding a local general store stocking AAA batteries are considerably better. The real trick is finding a decent MP3 player these days that will take AAA batteries. Don't worry, we've got you covered.
See the best five MP3 players that use AAA batteries.
The Flexfit costs $79 and offers 400 hours of usage.
(Credit: Songbird Hearing)With all of us destroying our ears listening to our iPods--and other portable music devices--chances are we're all going to need hearing aids someday. Well, there's some good news for those of you looking ahead to your golden years: Songbird Hearing, Inc. has officially released its new inexpensive disposable hearing aid, the Songbird Flexfit.
According to the company's press release, "Traditional hearing aids can cost as much as $6,000 and involve professional office visits and fittings to be effective." The key development here is that Songbird is selling the Flexfit for $79 and it lasts 2 to 6 months (400 hours) before you have to exchange it for a new one. Songbird Hearing also says that the Flexfit can "be easily adjusted to fit almost anyone without the need for a hearing exam." In other words, you can order it right over the Internet or by phone without having your hearing tested by a professional (I'm not sure whether that's good or bad).
The release also notes:
Research indicates that people will use the aid for situational use, such as during business meetings, while watching television, at family gatherings, or participating in worship services. When used this way, Songbird will last for two to six months, and then can be simply replaced with a brand new unit, eliminating the need for the professional maintenance traditional hearing aids often require.
Anybody worried they're going to need one of these soon? Are iPods destroying our hearing as computer screens are destroying everyone's eyes--or at least bloggers' eyes?
(Credit:
Lawrence Livermore Lab)
"Hey! Who left that package there?" Today that question triggers an avalanche of the latest bomb-disposal gear, not to mention the obligatory traffic jam that ensues. But now you can defuse that situation yourself if the bomb squad isn't around the corner.
Today a $10, pocket-sized explosive detector called "ELITE" (for Easy Livermore Inspection Test for Explosives) puts you in charge--at least until you touch the wrong wire. The 5- by 7.5-centimeter device requires minimal training to quickly and cheaply locate and identify up to 30 types of explosives and propellants. The card gives immediate results and can be discarded afterwards with no special handling, according to Lawrence Livermore Laboratory's Forensic Science Center.
To collect a sample, remove a swipe from the card, rub it on the suspicious object and slide it back in. Voila--within a minute an explosive trace, if present, will appear as a brightly colored spot on the white swipe. "The way it works, it takes two different types of chemistry. When these chemistries come into contact with explosives, there's a color change," explained Lawrence Lab chemist Peter Nunes. For instance, purple indicates TNT. The cards can detect everything from military-grade C-4 and Semtex explosives to your backyard concoctions of ammonium nitrate or black powder.
The ELITE has an indefinite shelf life, which makes it perfect for storage in your bunker. And don't worry: "Instructions are printed right on the card, so user error is largely eliminated."
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