🚀 go-pugleaf

This should be obvious, but it is truly amazing how many people don't
do it: when you buy any piece of expensive equipment, *always* mark it
as your property, in a PROMINENT place and in a PERMANENT fashion.
Also, mark it again, in a less-obvious place.

This serves two purposes: prevention of theft, and assistance to
police in recovery of stolen objects.  Items which are obviously
engraved in an indelible fashion are significantly less valuable to a
thief.

This is especially important with laptops and notebooks, which are
stolen far more often than desktop machines.

The best form of marking is deep engraving into the case of the
object.  Engrave each and every separable object, including the
keyboard and mouse.  Engraving tools for the purpose are readily
available for purchase; also, police departments will loan you the
tools (or engrave items you bring in) -- and give you window stickers
to notify thieves that your property is marked.

Spray painting and gummed tags can be removed with enough effort.
Anyone who buys equipment from a university surplus property
department on a regular basis is well familiar with that.

Careful research has conclusively proven that the performance of a
NeXT is in no way affected by having engravings made into the case.
Sorry if it offends your sense of esthetics to have the `insanely
great' black case marred by engraving, but I think you'll be more
offended if your machine is stolen.  One particularly effective
marking I saw once was *BRANDING* into the case.  You couldn't help
but notice it.  At a campus where computer theft was endemic, no
branded machines ever got ripped off.

I have also determined that engraving does not significantly affect
the resale value of the equipment.  I have sold quite a bit of
engraved equipment that I have used and retired over the years without
hassle.  All you need to do is draw up a bill of sale transferring
title to the new owner.

At the minimum, you should engrave your name and driver's license
number including the issuing state or province.  Yes, your *driver's
license number*, not your Social Security number.  A driver's license
number is the one thing that even a cop in Lower Podunk can use to
track you down.  Often, they can do it from their squad car.  I
believe you can have your report of stolen property noted on your
driving record, so when the cop in Lower Podunk he'll see the report.

Thieves know this, and avoid marked property.  This won't prevent
theft entirely, but if there are easier pickings elsewhere the thief
will go there and leave you alone.