Q Do you know of a free or inexpensive program that will overwrite hard drives? My husband and I have updated two new computers, leaving us with two hard drives that have sensitive data that we would like to erase before disposing of them.
A There's a $30 program for Windows called Window Washer from Webroot that will wipe an entire hard disk so that its data is unrecoverable. Its maker calls this process "bleaching." In cases where you don't want to completely wipe a hard disk, the program can also securely erase individual files and folders, and can remove all traces of browser activity. I have tested it, and I can recommend it. You can get it at Webroot.com.
To find others, go to download.com and enter "file wiper" in the search box.
Q I have switched to Mac recently and never want to use Windows again. But the program I miss using on Windows the most is Microsoft Money. Do you know any way to make this program run on my Mac?
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A Microsoft doesn't make a Mac version of Money.
However, all current Macs can run Windows and Windows programs. I suggest you pick up a copy of one of two programs — Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion. Both allow you to run Windows programs right alongside your Mac programs, even without displaying the Windows desktop. Microsoft Money would just appear in its own window, as if it were another Mac program. Fusion and Parallels cost around $60-$70 each, plus you must buy a full, fresh, boxed copy of Windows.
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Walter Mossberg