Recycling technology

At times I am called on to assess and recycle old computers or other electronics. This can vary from PC to TV that has become redundant. A lot of raw materials go into these systems. The electronics (especially chips) contain rare earth elements and highly processed metals. Old CRT screens contain significant lead. They also have an implosion risk because of the vacuum inside.

Places like the local dump also attempt to recycle things dumped on public sites. Local establishments like Earth link do similar work.

This has gradually grown in importance in recent years due to the growing range of electronic devices and the drain on existing minerals required to make these systems. Some systems (microchips) can be processed by crushing old circuit boards to provide access to rare earth materials inside. These processes require toxic chemicals to dissolve selected materials so they can be recovered for reuse. They are then concentrated and purified to produce suitable materials.

Local businesses send off old circuit boards to large reprocessing plants in the USA, where the materials are extracted chemically, purified and tested for use.

This needs to be done on a large scale because a circuit board may contain only tiny amounts of these rare minerals. Crushing increases surface area and allows chemical treatment to dissolve out the needed elements.

Once dissolved to sufficient concentration, the 'soup' can then be selectively treated to precipitate needed materials one by one for purifying.

After that other methods may be needed to filter out these rare substances in usable form.

These processes are often overseen by trained chemists, scientists and technicians who know how different materials can be separated and purified for use.

Based on the quality of the extracted substances, they can then be used in re-manufacturing with the recovered purified raw materials. Note: Some of this may be clear as mud to some, but to trained staff it is a job skill often in demand at such plants and their associated industries.

Feedback problems solved

In the last month I upgraded the feedback systems at modecideas.com with forms from http://emailmeform.com
It's a very secure arrangement with a captcha system that requires human visual read and code entry that varies randomly each time.

When it was complete a problem arose with people deliberately sitting down to send junk by hand. It is about the only way anyone could get around this type of security. Never mind- when suspicious activity occurs, the system reports the IP addresses to the site owner. The owner then forwards the feedback to the support staff and the kiddies are blocked off. Meanwhile feedback remains available to all genuine site visitors. Neat, isn't it?

ISP problems

This morning I sat down to work and found the internet was gone. No browser or email functions. It turned out to be a nationwide problem with Telstraclear communications. Imagine having over a million users off line at the same time! Maybe I should send them something for the headache!

Psychotic virus

We all hate them, don't we? The only thing we hate more is the person or persons who created them. Yesterday a customer brought me an infected PC. The virus lodged in the windows/system folder (write protected). Having established itself, it simply ignored all attempts at removal. Not only does windows protect the infection, it risks spreading it as well.

The only solution was to back up as much stuff as possible before formatting the drive. Pity about the files lost that weren't backed up. Are you reading a moral to the story here? Always keep a current backup of your important files!

Where to find me in New Zealand

This morning I received a suggestion from google maps to mark my location for those trying to find me. As google does not completely cover the globe, I used a local service to help you find my home and workshop. Home and web site both here By using the features on the map you can see the whole area and even follow roads to see where they go. The orange blob points to my house.


Alternatively, you can type the address of any place in New Zealand and see that as well.

Microsoft unleashes new windows

Personal computers are about to get a makeover with the launch of the latest Windows operating system.

Microsoft is hoping the successor to Vista will be more of a hit with users when it launches on 22 October.

Many of the features take into account multimedia applications and the fact that users are beginning to store their data on the internet.

In the UK some computer stores are due to open at midnight so keen PC users can get their hands on the software.

Microsoft is encouraging people to hold Windows 7 launch parties and has gone as far as to prepare party packs for those willing to get their friends together to mark the release.

Full story at: Microsoft unleashes new windows

US scientist charged with spying

An American scientist who worked for the US defence department and the space agency Nasa has been charged with attempted espionage, officials say.

Stewart David Nozette tried to give classified information to a person who he believed was an Israeli intelligence officer, the justice department said.

The 52-year-old, who once had top security clearance, was arrested on Monday by FBI agents, it added.
News:US scientist charged with spying