John's Tech Tips
John Seyfarth - Sump Memorial Library, Papillion
Latest Microsoft Anti-Spyware® software for Windows XP® – Windows Defender® Beta 2 – System Requirements: Supported Operating Systems: Windows 2000® Service Pack 4; Windows Server 2003® Service Pack 1; Windows XP® Service Pack 2. The new Defender® software replaces the old Microsoft Anti-Spyware® program (with the round target icon - ¤ ). If you have the old software and install the new Defender®, it will automatically uninstall and remove the old software. My testing indicates that it works at least as well as the old Microsoft Anti-Spyware®, and is very easy to install. So, if you have one of the three operating systems above, I recommend you install it. Download it from download.microsoft.com . Install it, and update it using the screens.
Internet Explorer® Version 7 – Beta 2 , (System Requirements below): Another release that Microsoft has put out on the web is Internet Explorer® Version 7 – Beta 2. Since, as this was written – April 30 – the release is brand new, I have only done limited testing on my machines. A characteristic that I noticed right away was adoption of the tabbed browsing, i. e., ability to have multiple websites up at a time when you launch the program. The configuration of Internet Explorer® Version 7 – Beta 2 is a little different than with Mozilla Firefox®. Instead of going to the Tools menu - Options and typing website addresses separated by a pipe character (|), you go to Tools – Internet Options, and start typing your addresses, and after each one press the <Enter> key, so there is one address on each line. Also, the interface is a little different. The menus on Internet Explorer are no longer at the top of the screen in “File-Edit-View-etc.” order. The Tools menu is below the address line on the extreme right. Click on Tools and then on Internet Options. Once you are there, type in your address line for the first site, i. e. http://(your first site's address) and then press the <Enter> key and type the next one on the line below and so on. When you are done, click on the Apply button at the bottom of the menu, and then click on the OK button. Next time you launch IE®, the number of tabbed sites you have designated will appear at the top of the browser, just like Firefox®.
The verdict on how well it works is still out. Also, if you choose to use it, you must have Windows XP® Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003® Service Pack 1. Windows 2000® will not work with IE® Version 7. Also, if you go to Version 7, there is no going back. IE® Version 7 will be the standard browser for Windows Vista®, the follow-on for Windows XP®, when that comes out.
Proper Disposal of Computer Equipment (Preventing Toxic PC Junk from Getting into Landfills)
Everyone that possesses and uses computer equipment will have to get rid of it eventually. Unfortunately, computer equipment has a number of toxic materials imbedded within it. So, environmentally conscious librarians (as I am sure just about all of us are) need to be aware of (a) the hazardous nature of the materials within, (b) how to properly recycle computers and (c) how to properly dispose of them.
First, we need to become aware of just what is so toxic and hazardous about the computer equipment that we are ready to dispose of. According to a recent article in the Galt Global Review,
“Landfill and incinerator facilities are often the final resting place for electronic waste. Computers, cell phones, electronic games, television sets – are piling up with increasing rapidity, ready to be burned or buried. But are you aware that these leftover gadgets are loaded with toxins that can leak into the groundwater or produce carcinogens and toxins
Your computer equipment could contain highly toxic materials.
Computer equipment is a complicated assembly of more than 1,000 materials, many of which are highly toxic, such as chlorinated and brominated substances, toxic gases, toxic metals, biologically active materials, plastics and plastic additives.”[1]
Given this, we librarians need to be good shepherds of our environment and properly dispose of our obsolete assets.
If the computers are not too old, and they are complete, consider donating them to another activity that perhaps can use the lesser capabilities available in these machines. Generally speaking most activities have certain minimum equipment standards, and will require an operational and complete machine (CPU, keyboard, monitor, mouse and the cords). If it is not possible to give them to an activity that can use them as is, or they are not complete, it may be possible to donate them to an activity that can find a home for them. My research today indicates that the Salvation Army in both Omaha and Lincoln will take computer equipment that will run, including incomplete units. They told me today that they will take CPUs, Monitors, Keyboards, Mice, and Printers. The only problem is that they are only located in Omaha and Lincoln, with no facilities further west or north. So, if you can, the equipment can be dropped off at one of the following addresses in Lincoln or Omaha :
• 82 nd and Grover (East of Magelsens) in Omaha
• 84 th and Park Drive in Ralston
• 75 th and Dodge in Omaha
• 1502 Harlan Drive in Bellevue
• 48 th and Leiton in northern Lincoln
• 48 th and VanDorn in southern Lincoln
If you have equipment that simply needs to be recycled, then there are some recyclers available to take your equipment and recycle it in an environmentally conscious way. Generally, they take any equipment, but there is unusually per pound fee of from $0.25 to $0.35. The important thing is that they will separate and properly dispose of the toxic materials and ensure that they are recycled in a manner that does not affect the environment. It is important that you give them a call before you take the material to them and they will advise you of what they will take that day:
• CP Recovery, 7534 F Street , Omaha , 402-331-1630
• Electronic Recyclers, 1528 North 16 th Street , Omaha , 402-408-0053
• Computer Renaissance, 330 North 48 th Street , Lincoln , 402-564-4040
• Lincoln Action Program, 240 P Street , Lincoln , 402-471-4528
These are the only recyclers that I could find in Nebraska .
Hopefully, the information presented here may help you to properly dispose of your obsolete or non-operational computer equipment.
[1] www.galtglobalreview.com/business/toxic_pcs.html , Old PC Toxic in Landfill Sites, Page 1
