"Static electricity," two words that strike fear in a geek's heart. That little zap that you can get from rubbing your feat along the carpet, and touching someone, is a very dangerous force in the computer world. In mere milliseconds, you entire computer can be fried, from one little tiny arch or static electricity.

Even with this omni-dangerous feat of science, some people dispel it as a humor, farce, or a Bill Clinton Testimonial. In my mind, this is just unacceptable. By taking this stance, you would just be asking for trouble. At any time during a upgrade, cleaning, or whatever you do with your computer, static electricity can build up, and destroy your favorite toy.

In fact, you may never know you zapped your machine, until it's too late. Sure, when you rub your feet along the carpet, and touch someone, you feel and hear the "ZZZZAP!" But, that's not always the case when working with tiny electrical parts. Because these parts are so efficient at moving electrons, they will take even the tiniest build up of static electrify in your body, and destroy themselves.

Furthermore, your computer can get shocked, and it may seem just fine and dandy. It's be running along perfectly, until one day...poof! That's because static electricity shocks, don't always instantly fry the computer. Too many times, they simply start a degradation process, that slowly eats away at you computer parts. After time, the integrity of the circuit becomes so low, that it ceases to function properly. Scary, isn't it

But luckily, some precautions can be taken. For instance, don't work in your computer while standing on carpet if at all possible, don't work in dry air if possible, and remain standing throughout the procedure. Sitting in a chair is one of the easiest to avoid, yet hardest to notice ways of picking up static electricity. However, taking these precautions does not ensure you will be static electricity free.

The only way to be completely free of static electricity, is to be in one of those static free buildings. However, none of us has one of those at our disposal, so we have to settle for grounding ourselves. The cheapest, yet least effective way way to ground yourself is to touch the metal casing of the computer's power supply, while the power cord is plugged into it (but the computer should be OFF). Yet, there better ways to stay safe.

One way is to get a static dissipating mat. While not really a solution, it can't hurt. The most cost effective procedure is to purchase static strips. These things can either be disposable, or multiple use cords. By far, the multiple use cords are the better dissipators, and are highly recommended for anyone who preforms more than two upgrades to their computer.

So, the next time you order RAM, a new hard drive, or that awesome PCI card, remember the dangers that are involved in installing them. I know you don't want to see your Mac destroyed, by something that could have been so easily avoided. "An once of prevention, is worth a pound of cure."

Helpful links
• Discharge Mats
• Disposable Wrist Straps
• Multiple Use Straps and Cords
• Information on Static Electricity
• Static Electricity Misconceptions