Thanks, everyone, for the sympathetic and supportive replies. I hadn't returned here until now because focusing on the theft seemed too depressing.
To those who asked whether I work for Goldman Sachs, the answer is no. However, I live in NYC, and nearly everyone is affected by waves of layoffs. Since GS is letting people go, it's likely that law firms will do the same fourth quarter, which could affect everyone else. My girlfriend had been a web designer for five years when she was laid off in early 2009 by an apparently unrelated company. That's why I'm trying not to be extravagant: I'm an editor, Jim, not a tycoon.
The loss is a reminder to me to get out of the habit of playing with two gadgets at once. Part of my distraction came from devoting a slice of my attention to protecting my smartphone.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bro Pete
I have decided to photoshop a picture with contact information and save it in an obvious place on the camera. That picture will have a title that would catch the attention of someone looking for who it belongs to. Hopefully someone will return it next time.
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That's a great idea, but I have two issues with it:
1. Identity theft is the most common kind in NYC and I'm not sure I want to give a thief even more info.
With my phone, Kindle or PRS-950, I'd have to worry about passwords and online theft (though I try to keep even mildly sensitive data on an SD which I only insert into my 950 when necessary). Because my 350 has no web access and stores no personal info, I'm relatively safe. My biggest problem will be if the thief decides to copy and distribute my library, which contained about three unpublished books of mine -- collections of stories and poems, and a morbid faux children's book I've been finessing for the past four years. I'm terrified someone's going to steal the title.
2. I love having thirty pictures that can appear as my screensaver, and I'm not certain the person who picks up the camera will bother going over them. A single screensaver photo with contact info seems like the best option, but that would make my life less fun.
Sony needs to allow us to
change the words of the optional message that accompanies all screensaver photos. If PRS+ allowed that option, I'd switch to it immediately and put my most harmless contact info there: My first name and telephone number.