Golden Oldies - June 2007
When it comes to technology, what’s new today is obsolete tomorrow. In the case of computer technology, that’s probably a good thing. Who wants to wait patiently while downloading a 300-page PDF? So when you make the decision to upgrade your machine, what do you do with your dinosaur? That depends on your personality type. Find yourself in the profiles below.
1. THE DO-GOODER
If you fall into this category, you’ll donate the computer or recycle it. The first option serves two purposes: You get rid of your old clunker while making points with your socially responsible offspring. If you opt to recycle, you’re, well, recycling. Enough said. Seriously, you should visit http://www.sharetechnology.org to find organizations in your area that will put your unneeded computer to great use. To go green, check with your local authorities for guidelines, or visit http://www.earth911.org (pictured) for recycling options in your area.
2. THE HOARDER
If you can’t get rid of anything that might have a use in, say, another lifetime, you’ll go the practical route and a) repurpose the parts, or b) find a use for the machine in another application. For option b, set the computer up for Web surfing only, protecting the new machine you buy from potential viruses and malware (or, make your kids use it—they have time to watch Web pages load). For option a, load up your music, connect the machine to your audio equipment, and make a jukebox. Or, download movies or shows onto your old hard drive, insert it into the Galaxy Tvisto Multimedia Center (for around $130, pictured at right), and play them on your TV. Visit http://www.galaxymetalgear.com/Products/3500tvisto.html for information on Tvisto or http://www.thefuntimesguide.com for more uses for your old workhorse.
3. THE TECHNO-NERD
You know who you are. You took apart your mother’s toaster to see how it worked and built an Altair 8800 “micro” computer in your basement. Today, there are still options for satisfying your inner geek: Turn your old mouse into “Mousey” the robot (pictured), for example, or use your machine to automatically start the coffee maker. If you’re feeling really creative, turn your monitor into a fishbowl, or, my personal favorite, run a digital interface for a kegerator beverage distribution system. Become a kid again and visit http://www.makezine.com or http://www.digg.com/mods to get those creative juices flowing. JOHN DANIELOWICH is a freelance writer (and hoarder) living in Framingham, Mass., who refuses to let go of his dinosaur.
