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he e-mail servers at Geek Central were churning away this week, as fellow-Geeks from throughout the community responded to my query for ways to get rid of aging computer hardware.  Most of these ideas have been mentioned in previous columns, but the info is certainly worth repeating to have it all in one place for those who don’t want to dig through the It’s Geek to Me archives looking for them.  Thanks to everyone who wrote in with information.  

Reader J.B. Hillard writes: “For several years Northwest Florida State College has accepted donated computers that are recycled and loaned to adult basis education (GED) and college students in need.  Pentium III and better working computers no more than 4 to 5 years old are the backbone of this program that has helped literally hundreds of students in Okaloosa and Walton Counties.  The first thing we do is wipe the hard drive of all data to Department of Defense standards.  This seems to be satisfactory to individuals as well as business and other private organizations as we maintain a high level of oversight on the equipment.  The program is operated from the college Chautauqua Center in DeFuniak Springs, and is primarily staffed with volunteers from the Chautauqua Cyber Club.”  You can contact J.B. at 850-892-3450, or via e-mail at hillardj@nwfstatecollege.edu.

If supporting our airmen is more your style, reader Brenda Morrison wrote in saying: “We sure could use computers that work and have internet connection at the Airman’s Attic on Eglin AFB.  These will be given to the airmen at no charge to help them with classes etc on the internet.”  Brenda even offered to meet people, or come pick them up to take to the base.  If you’d like to donate to the Airman’s Attic, please contact Bob White at 850-882-3616.

Reader Alan B. uses the power of the Internet to rid himself of old hardware.  He wrote in and said: “Just a couple of weeks ago, I “Freecycled” an old Dell Laptop through http://www.freecycle.org/.  This is a group where recipients agree not to sell what they get for free, and people can post their needs, too.  There is a Niceville Bluewater Bay group, and I received dozens of requests for the laptop.  I “cleaned it up,” formatting the drive and re-installing the original OS, and made sure to include all the original software disks.  Freecycle is not a charitable organization, but it does offer a way to pass on a working computer to a worthy recipient.  The donor has to sign up for a Freecycle account, but you can quit later, or control your messages, down to none at all.”

For those interested in merely disposing of obsolete or non-working systems, as well as other electronics, Jim Reece from the Okaloosa County Recycling Office (as well as several readers) wrote in to remind us of the county’s disposal program.  Jim wrote: “We collect old electronics: TVs, Monitors, CPUs, printers, scanners, keyboards, speakers, etc from the public on a regular basis as part of Okaloosa County’s Household Hazardous Waste Program.  It is a drop-off program so residents can call 651-7392 to find out more information.  There is no charge for residents, but there is a small fee for the same items from a business.”

The editorial board of the It’s Geek to Me publishing conglomerate would like to remind you of the ongoing contest for YOU – the reader – to help create a logo and slogan for the column.  In the weeks that the contest has been ongoing, the best submission so far (okay, the ONLY submission so far) has been a doodle that I did on the back of a napkin from a local fast food restaurant.  Surely, there must be some geek out there with some artistic creativity waiting to be unleashed?  The contest runs through June 13^th, so don’t delay!