Cleaning Out Your Computer Files

If you are in the market for a new computer and you intend to donate your old computer, it's important to be certain your personal files are removed...and don't think uninstalling programs or deleting messages will result in a clean computer. It won't!

We found two companies that offer free software that erases hard drives: http://www.killdisk.com/ and www.heidi.ie/eraser

We have not tried these programs yet, so if you do, be sure to let us know how they worked for you. Remember, you can also erase your computer files the old fashioned way by removing your hard drive.

Check these out: Websites we love

Because we're always on the look out for simple and stylish trends, and great places to share information, here are a few of the best Websites we've seen lately:

MommyTrack'd
A smart and stylish resource for moms managing the daily tug of war between home and work.

Flopping Fish
Need an elegant way to tell your guests to remove their shoes before coming into your house? Flopping Fish creates beautiful "Remove Your Shoes" signs. The company also creates stunning switch plates that add an elegance and charm to your rooms, no matter what your décor.

Design*Sponge
Design*Sponge is a daily website dedicated to home and product design – if you love looking at the latest trends in products for your home or office, you will quickly become addicted to Design*Sponge.

Stopping the Junk Mail

Who among us doesn't open the mailbox every day and find it stuffed with catalogs and junk mail? There seems to be a tremendous amount of it coming in, and cluttering our space. Here are a couple of Websites to simplify, or reduce the amount of catalogs and junk mail we get:

dmaconsumers.org: This is the Direct Marketing Association’s (DMA) Consumer Information site. It is very clearly written, with information and instructions on removing your name from a variety of lists: mailing, telemarketing and email. You may also remove the name of anyone in your care.

catalogchoice.org: This is a free Web-based tool that allows users to stop getting catalogs from over 1,000 companies. If the catalogs from retailers you used over Christmas are stuffing your mailbox, this is a good tool to "cut the junk mail", at least until next Christmas.

Did you know that there are two sides to the environmental issue around catalogue usage? With almost 19 BILLION catalogs mailed last year in the U.S., it is estimated that 53 million trees were needed to produce them. That's a lot of trees. But on the other side, it is also estimated that 290 million gallons of gas could be saved (not used) if every American eliminated two trips to town, stayed home and ordered by catalog. Another environmental issue that isn't simple to solve!