Sheila asks:
> I have been asked to explore e-shredding programs.  
> I know there are many out there including freeware.
> My questions for you all:

Larry responds:
> Whatever the program, be cautious of using "freeware" in a business
situation,
> even if you're  a"company of one".  You seldom get any documentation
of the applications
> and it's difficult to find out how they do what they do.
> If you want to use a utility to perform a specific function for
business, make sure it's a supported application.

The one app of this type I am most familiar with - Eraser - is a free
open source app that can be found on sourceforge.net. The source code
for open source apps is freely available which allows one to either have
in-house programming staff peruse the code or hire an outside programmer
to render an opinion if necessary as to the actions/operation of the
application. In very few situations will you be able to have access to
the source code of a commercially available software app.

Larry's concern about freeware is just as likely to be a problem with
commercially available software (support, documentation, etc.). With
commercial products we are finding more and more apps that "phone home"
in ways never disclosed by the vendor.

Personally, I'll use an open source app with an active developer/user
community over an equivalent commercial product any day of the week. 



Gerry

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