The tell or not-tell conundrum...

I've always been good at building things. When I was little, I used to build elaborate Lego creations. I even built a complete small block Chevrolet plastic model V-8 engine when I was eight. So, when the late 70s and early 80s ushered in the computer era, I quickly fell in love and started playing with PCs.

In 1998, I decided to take the CompTia A+ exam and passed with flying colors. For practice, I used to go to local computer shows, buy cheap used parts and assemble computers. Then, I'd just give them away.

I became really good at diagnosing and fixing PCs, and I was routinely asked by friends, neighbors and family to repair their computers. One of the ethical problems I faced then, and still encounter now, is what I should do when I find hinky stuff on a PC.

Should I report to parents if their teenage child had porn saved on his or her PC? The question is a no-brainer when the PC belongs to the parents. So far, I've never discovered any heinous nasty illegal stuff, but I've encountered some explicit material.

I've taken both roads; I've told the parents (the teens were boys) because I kinda anticipated that they wouldn't freak out. Another time, because I wasn't sure how she'd react, I just spoke privately a single mom's son myself. I warned him to be more careful, because hey, it's just me - not some employee over at a repair shop who'll do who knows what with that info.

I always try to do the right thing but sometimes I feel like I have to make a judgment call. Some people are more lax than others. Let's face it, before handing over your PC, you'd better be ready to hear some unexpected news - whether it's your kids' doing, your spouse's doing, or some malevolent virus.