Dean’s Scanner Issues
Dear Dean,
Wow, what tribulations you went through with your scanner ! ! ! Yes, unfortunately with computer-related equipment, the time-to-obsolescence is quite short – sometimes, only a couple years [on these high tech devices].
Hopefully, your new scanner won’t go bad so quickly. To help protect it, make sure you have good surge protectors installed on all equipment power and phone lines. That goes a long way toward protecting your gear. Also, a good anti-static chair mat helps minimize static electricity that might arc from your fingers to a piece of equipment you reach for. This static can destroy circuit boards. Finally, especially for the winter months, a good central humidifier on your forced-air furnace (if you have a forced-air furnace 
) will reduce static build-up on your body as you move around the computer shack, further reducing the risk of equipment damage from static snaps.
Thanks for the pictures [of your vacation]. Nice.
Happy New Year to you.
One more thing: I was thinking back the other day, and remembered a woman that used to ride your bus quite often. She lived near me – at the Connifers apartments I believe. Her name was Connie? Do you ever hear from her these days, and what’s she up to?
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Tom Hesley