NWA-PCUG 06/2000 NewsLetter Article 18861 N. Hwy 112, Springdale, AR 72762-9303 Steve Bass is a Contributing Editor with PC World Magazine, frequently writes for Forbes ASAP, and is the president of the Pasadena IBM Users Group. Bass often writes about the effects of Phrenology on upgrading software and other tongue-in-cheek topics.. Write to him at stevebass@earthlink.net There is no restriction against anyone using the article as long as it is kept in context, with proper credit given to the author. This article is brought to you by the Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an International organization to which this user group belongs. Headline: Act Locally, Think Globally! Subhead: Recycling Begins on Your PC Byline: By Steve Bass, Pasadena IBM Users Group You toss aluminum cans, plastic bottles, and newspapers in the recycle bin without even thinking, right? Well a new dot.com wants you to think the same way about-get ready-bits and bytes. Don't laugh. The company is Bit-Recyclers (their www.BitRecycle.com web site is often unreachable because of excessive traffic) and their business plan is simple: Don't delete old programs-recycle them. But there's a twist, one that's going to turn the computing world on its head. And turn a tremendous profit for Bit-Recyclers. The company has no plans for using or reselling the old software you send to them. Instead, they're simply going to recycle the bits. Like reuse them. It sounds strange but it makes sense. Every time you delete a program (ironically, not to the recycle bin, but really delete it), untold numbers of bits and bytes are destroyed. Throw away a floppy or CD, and it's gone forever. Toast. History. The company wants them all, each and every bit. Jeff Grayschvanser, Bit-Recycler's CEO, proposes reusing the bits for new programs. "Upload unwanted applications, utilities, or even Mac programs, and we'll turn them into new programs." The company promises to supply individuals who have slow Internet connections with postage-free mailers in order for them to mail in their floppies and CDs. Who buys recycled bits? You'd be amazed. Start with Microsoft. "Without Bit-Recyclers, Windows 2000 would have never reached the marketplace before 2001," explained a Microsoft representative who requested anonymity. Producers of clip art, photography images, and MP3 files are also major users of recycled bits. "Don't send manuals and boxes," warned Grayschvanse, "because they are of no value to us-unless they're in digital form." He recommends dumping the paper docs in the real recycle bin. Microsoft representatives explained they were all for the new dot.com's idea provided no one actually reused program code, and would probably start their own recycling strategy early next year. Over the last four months, venture-backed Bit-Recyclers increased their staff level at a rate over three times that of most start-up dot.coms. Joseph Pelassio, account executive with Pelletier Capital Market reports initial earnings could reach those of eBay by the end of Q4 2001. Me? I'm going to stick those CDs and floppies is a desk drawer. I just can't bear the thought of the next version of Word recycled from Wordstar. (www.bit-recyclers.com) Steve Bass is a Contributing Editor with PC World Magazine, frequently writes for Forbes ASAP, and is the president of the Pasadena IBM Users Group. Bass often writes about the effects of Phrenology on upgrading software and other tongue-in-cheek topics.. Write to him at stevebass@earthlink.net There is no restriction against anyone using the article as long as it is kept in context, with proper credit given to the author. This article is brought to you by the Editorial Committee of the Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG), an International organization to which this user group belongs.