Having a clear out

[Martyn]

I'm having a clear out of my workshop and especially techie books. I find it very difficult to throw out books that cost a lot of money at the time but in reality everything is found on the net and I never refer to them. They've got to go! My last clear out a few years ago was all NT study stuff now it is 2003 stuff.

Anyone else hoard things that are of no use now?

 

[Laplandz]

We have draws and boxes dedicated to "stuff", shelves filled with pre-2006 laptops and even a box labelled unknown ( typically shiny things that we have no idea what they are for). Am fairly sure it's a conspiracy but if we throw it away, then we'll need it the following week!

 

[PBComputer]

Yes I'm awful for it. I have a full building full, I had to clean it out last week. and I managed to get rid of over half of it. I got rid of

30 Computers
50 Laptops
5 screens
5 Printers
3 x 360 liter bags of cables

The poor van which collected it was rather full.

 

[gavinsane]

I tend to let things build up. Never want to throw away something good. I have piles of old grey Dell Desktops that are too old to refurbish... but are still functional. Gutting them for parts should make for some fun. I also tend to have LOTs of discs that I have gotten from clients over the years that build up.

 

[nlinecomputers]

It isn't so much that I find it hard to part with them. It is just the time needed to stop and go through it.

 

[joydivision]

I really need to that, my 'new' home based workshop is a year old nearly now and I had no time to properly plan it. As a result it is a complete tip.

Why am I even keeping an old P4 Dell desktop for example? I best take it to tip along with all the old P2 era laptops that don't even work.

I have loads of old useless chargers and god knows what.

 

[Moltuae]

I seem to be constantly throwing stuff out, yet the place is full of things I'll probably never use again. One thing that's guaranteed though, the moment I do throw something out that I haven't needed in years, I'll need it.

I've got parts - some of which are still unused and boxed - for 20+ year old computers and data books for ICs that are over 30 years old in some cases.

A quick glance on my bookshelf and immediately I see a first edition copy of Teach Yourself Java 1.1 in 24 hours (circa '97) and some DOS books. I really need be more ruthless at the next clear out.

 

[kpk1]

I can sympathise...does this make us IT hoarders......

 

[Moltuae]

I best take it to tip along with all the old P2 era laptops that don't even work.

I take working computers like that and newer to the tip almost weekly -- it's heartbreaking to have to throw something out that still works well .... but nobody wants them.

A 'tip' for the tip: Make sure you peel the PAT labels off any machines before you take them. I've been challenged about those once or twice. I think they view disposing of PAT tested computers as a sign of commercial waste, for which I suspect there's a disposal fee. Funny thing is, I can take a boot-full of 20 or so computers at a time and they don't so much as bat an eyelid, but leave just one PAT label on ....