Yesterday, I published an article about dusting off my original iPad and putting it to work as a digital picture frame.

It's positioned at the bottom of the studio stairwell, on the wall next to my iHome speaker system. Since publishing the article, I've also used the iPad as an attractive weather station and music server for the iHome.

Why didn't I think of this before?

I'm laughing at myself. This device has been in my home closet, doing nothing, for two years. Every now and then, I'd have to move it out of the way to get to something else. Finally, about a week ago, I said to myself:

"This is enough."

Either I find a use for the iPad, or I sell it to someone who can.

That sums up my general feeling about old tech, and that includes cameras. The thing is, I hate waste. I don't want to be remembered as the generation that fed landfills to over capacity leaving the problem for my children.

As a result, I sell a lot of gear. And it usually goes to someone on a tight budget for a good price. What I keep, I want to use.

And when I figure out a clever approach for an aging piece of gear, I get that same elated feeling as I do when I strike a great deal of find a bargain.

In the last month, I've pushed in to service an old slide projector and first generation iPad. My iPhone 3G is now a portable music and podcast player for the car. What will April bring?

I need to go dig around in the closet.

-Derrick