Redundant tech

Whilst we don't regard ourselves as being particularly 'techy' we do have smartphones and these are used for more than simply making phone calls. In fact for many years computers have had a significant role in our lives, both for work and in the course of our retirement activities. Different computer operating systems don't scare us (too much) as we have just the right amount of background knowledge to transition between one device and another without too much mental effort. What goes on inside any particular electronic gadget might be beyond us but the 'need to know' principle means we can live without this knowledge and focus on the functions instead.

Over time, of course, our needs have changed and a piece of kit essential for one range of tasks - the right operating system running at the right speed and connecting to other things with the minimum fuss - may not necessarily be right for our current uses. We started our computing journey on what are now known as 'PCs', large boxes with noisy fans inside combined with a screen mounted on a desk and a separate keyboard and mouse, whereas today's technological gadgets have touch sensitive screens, are more about using imagery - pictures and sound - and much of the processing and storage is handled by the internet. Previously it was all about recording text and numbers whereas now this is often just supplementary, adding context but not being used on its own. In our working lives computers were first introduced to replace typewriters which created paper documents which were then stored in filing cabinets, in folders kept safe for future reference. But this is a world left far behind us. The focus is now almost entirely on communication and the technology which enables this has shrunk dramatically over the years. Hence the smartphone.

So what's the problem? Well, every now and then we get the urge to have a clear out, to simplify our lives and rid ourselves of the things we no longer use or have need of. This might be a cupboard full of clothes, a tray of assorted cutlery, a sock drawer or a collection of keys, the purpose of which is long forgotten.

Which brings us to the PC, a large box sitting in the corner collecting dust, which hasn't been switched on for months. Then we remember that we previously used laptop computers, which we still have, several in fact, quite powerful things each representing a different time in our lives when the functions they carried out necessitated something more portable. Then when our needs changed (or when something went wrong with them) they were put aside, out of sight and mind. So how do we deal with all this redundant technology?

One of the problems is with what is inside, personal information (the modern term is 'data') and it is partly this that explains why we haven't simply thrown these things in the bin. In those pre-computer days gone by we might have emptied the filing cabinet and thrown all the paper onto a bonfire in the garden. Job done! But there is more to think about now. There is plastic, rare metals, and components that are really not ideal for the bonfire - like batteries. But if we leave the gadget for the bin men to collect and it ends up on the local tip, who's to say what might happen to it then. Are there bad guys out there just waiting to take it away, to plug the thing in and download all our personal emails, my embarrassing photos or maybe even my bank details which they will then use to hack into my bank and take all my money? OK, so this is probably an exaggeration but let's just do a clean-up first on our redundant kit. Perhaps then the old, but still functioning, PC might actually have some value to someone else, who knows.

Which brings me to the cleanup operation. I am sure there are guides online on what should be done so I do not intend to try to cover this here. Suffice to say that what might appear to be a straightforward operation can have its flaws. There is a thing called a Hard Reset which is supposed to wipe everything from the device except the operating system itself and when it has done this it will then try to restart the machine again so someone can use it. If you stop at this point then you effectively have a clean machine, wiped of personal data. But if you do find a buyer willing to purchase your old PC then you will be unable to demonstrate the device actually working unless you once again enter your personal details and log in. Hmmm.

I realise that all this will have been a somewhat dull to those who have no interest in gadgetry of any sort so just for you, here is a distraction. The picture below is of two damsel flies taking a rest on a rock at the edge of our pond. The male is clasping the head of the female and, staying attached this way, they will both fly off to a carefully chosen spot so that she can lay an egg, attaching it to something just below the surface of the pond. They will stay together like this for thirty minutes or more and whilst it may not seem very romantic to us, to them it is...well, just part of everyday life.