On Tue, 29 Nov 2011 08:18:49 +0900 Curt Sampson <cjs%netbsd.org@localhost> wrote: > On 2011-11-28 16:06 -0500 (Mon), Metzger, Perry E. wrote: > > > I have a bunch of old backup tapes. I want to get rid of them but > > I worry about what data might be on them.... > > Failing that, does anyone have any other good ideas on how to > > dispose of the things? Breaking the cartridges by hand etc. is a > > non-starter, there are too many of them. > > Hand-held tape degaussers are made specifically for the purpose of > erasing tapes for re-use. They were pretty common in the audio and > video recording worlds a couple of decades ago, and I do seem to > recall having seen ones for computer backup tapes as well. Modern ones capable of dealing with vaguely recent media cost in the thousands of dollars -- far more I'm willing to pay for this purpose. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/buy/Tape-Degaussers-Erasers/N/4268019507 Perry -- Perry E. Metzger perry%piermont.com@localhost