Losing a PDA or laptop can be a major disaster. One way to protect your devices is to use a small etching pen to write your name and contact information on each piece of equipment. Another solution (which also might encourage the return of a lost device) is a reward program such as the one run by ReturnMe.com called eTagit. For a $9.95 enrollment fee, you receive personalized tags that you can stick to your belongings. The tags have your ReturnMe.com ID number and the company's toll-free number and e-mail address. Once a finder reports your lost item to ReturnMe.com, the company arranges for pickup of the device and delivery to you. You must pay $14.95 per returned item, Federal Express charges, and any reward money, but the service does offer finders an easy and rewarding way to do the right thing.

Formerly part of Computer Currents, Stephen J. Bigelow's Computer Advisor column has been resurrected on Computeruser.com as a daily tech tip column. Find Stephen at www.dlspubs.com.