From the latest and fastest computers, to the newest cellular gizmos, the American public likes its technology. There’s always some new “must have” gadget to replace your old one. And for those who need to keep pace with technology I say “Go for it, and have fun”.
E-waste Pile
But what becomes of your old equipment? Unfortunately, much of our very old or beyond repair electronics find their way to the dump. It’s sad to say, but many people simply throw away old computers, cellphones, PDAs, etc. But that’s not very eco-friendly and we really should consider recycling. The problem with recycling is that it’s such an inconvenience.
To help you maintain your eco-conscious, Wired recently released a great list of hardware manufacturers that offer recycling programs. And retailers like Best Buy, Staples, and Radio Shack offer you a way to relieve yourself of your old “junk” and keep it out of the dumps. If you must trash your old equipment, I highly recommend looking into one of these programs.
If your equipment is newer and still functional, you might consider online sales forums, like Craigs List or eBay. These forums are a great way for sellers to get rid of old equipment and also get $omething back. It also lets buyers benefit by buying perfectly good (though older) technology at a discount.
One of my favorite ways to get rid of old equipment is via Trickle Down. The Trickle Down Theory is analogous to clothing hand-me-downs, where perfectly good (but perhaps ill-fitting) clothing is given to a friend, relative, Goodwill, etc. Trickling down used equipment makes a lot of sense. If you need to upgrade your computer, perhaps a friend, relative, church or school would make good use of it. Also, if you know ahead of time that you will be trickling down a computer, you may be more likely to replace it faster, giving you the excuse to stay up-to-date and giving the beneficiary a newer computer. Trickling down makes everyone feel good and extends the useful life of your original purchase. Just make sure to clean up your sensitive data, before you trickle down something you did not intend.
Whatever you do with your old equipment, try to keep it going for as long as you can. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s useless. And when it does finally reach its end-of-life, make the extra effort to make sure it does not become part of the 21st century’s e-waste stream.
If you’ve ever been away from your computer and realized you need a file from it, you’ll appreciate Windows Live Sync. Windows Live Sync allows automatic file synchronization and sharing between multiple personal computers. Cost? Free.
File Synchronization
The service works by connecting selected computers over the internet. For each computer that you want to synchronize, you install Microsoft’s Live Sync Client (Windows & Mac software available), designate the files/folders to be shared, and the software does the rest. As long as both computers are on at the same time, Live Sync will synchronize the selected files, so they are available on either computer. Once synchronized, the files are available on either computer, even if one is off or unavailable.
File Synchronization is great for:
- Laptop users. You have a Desktop computer and a Laptop for the road. Designate files to be synchronized, and any work you do on your Desktop is automatically available on your Laptop while you travel.
- Collaboration. Workgroups often need access to shared files. This is traditionally accomplished through network servers using VPN for remote users. With Live Sync multiple people in a geographically separate workgroup can share files without needing a central server.
- Backup. Use Live Sync to backup files and folders to a second computer.
Remote Computer Browsing
Live Sync can also be configured to give you access to all the files on your personal computer from anywhere (while your computer is on). Just log into your Microsoft Live Share account on any internet connected computer to browse your computer and download files.
Common Sense Privacy and Security
Be sure to obtain permission from the computer’s owner (employer, parent, friend, etc.) before connecting a computer to Live Sync. If you do use the browsing and download features, please exercise caution. Consider enabling browsing only when you are away. Make sure that whatever computer you use to access files while away does not “remember your password” and that you “Log Out” of Live Sync before leaving the computer. Do read Microsoft’s Terms of Use during the signup process and understand the implications of sharing your data in this way.
To get started, just visit sync.live.com. And let us know how you make out.
I’ve been having some trouble wrapping my head around this Bailout idea. Hundreds of billions of dollars are being given primarily to the folks who got us into this mess in the first place. Everyone who seems to know enough about the problem believes the bailout is needed, even if it’s not going to be implemented perfectly. I’m not convinced. Perhaps it’s because I don’t know enough, don’t have a background in Economics, and/or have trouble balancing my checkbook. Still, something about giving money to people who have a proven bad track record just doesn’t ring true.
Today I had the good fortune to hear Joel Naroff, a nationally recognized and acclaimed Economist, speak at a luncheon. Part of Mr. Naroff’s comments echoed those we’ve heard and read, indicating how the economy revolves around credit and the financial system bailout is needed. Why? Because the economy may not be able to tolerate the failure of giants like AIG. But he said it in a way that hit home (I’m paraphrasing here, but not much) – “Sometimes you have no choice but to give money to morons”. Thank You!
Sure, anyone can be a Monday morning quarterback. But Mr. Naroff went on to raise an important question: “If the failure of one company cannot be tolerated by the economy, should it be allowed to exist?” Bravo! Though easier said than done, this thinking could set the tone for preventing bailouts in the future. Perhaps the division of ultra-large corporations into smaller independent units would limit collateral damage should one fail. And he’s not the only one that thinks this way. Similar sentiments are popping up in a number of online journals.
In the mean time, what’s to say AIG and others will actually survive even after the infusion of so much money? And if they fail after all (which IS possible), where will we be? Wouldn’t we have simply been better off not to bail them out in the first place?
Let’s say we don’t bail them out. We let them go under. How do we keep their failure from wrecking the rest of the economy? Here’s an idea. How about if we give the money to institutions with a good track record, with the instruction that they should take over any failed institution’s operations? Wouldn’t people with a good track record do a better job infusing the bailout money then people with a bad track record? Wouldn’t that also be praise for those who have been good for our economy, and punishment those who have not. Granted, I don’t know how to do that, but there are some really bright people out there that probably could. OK, that opens the floor to you pundits out there … have at it.
As folks who understand Economics far better than I struggle with bringing the Economy back in line, I wish them luck. I can only hope we learn some important lessons from this fiasco and try not to let history repeat itself. Our children deserve no less.
