8/11    Aside from physically breaking a CD, what's the easiest way to make
        it permanently unreadable?
        \_ If you have a secure shredder service, they usually handle CDs as
           well.
        \_ Get a screwdriver, scratch the top of the CD.  It's not that much
           more work than writing with a pen.  Remember, data on CD is near
           the top, highly unprotected.  DVDs are different.
        \_ I've heard a microwave oven works pretty well, though I'm not sure
           if it is damages the microwave oven..
           \_ As with metal in the microwave, the main problem is microwave
              energy getting reflected back into the magnetron, damaging it.
              You could probably mitigate this by putting a big cup of water
              next to the CD(s) in the microwave.
        \_ Pee on it.  -guy who drank a lot of water today
        \_ They sell machines that punches holes on CD.  Look on CDW.
           \_ I was thinking more of the type of solution like "bake it in
              the sun", or "write on it with a permanent marker" or
              something very simple and easy like that.
              \_ How is breaking it not simple and easy?  -tom
                 \_ I know of organizations who use a lot of CDs for
                    mid-term (5-10 years) data storage.  After a certain
                    number of these things, it may be economical to have a
                    fast way of nuking them.  On the other hand, you could
                    just hire a student, I guess.  -John
                    \_ Sounds like a job for an intern with a solid knee.
                       \_ Or a hammer.  They also have shredders that can
                          do CDs.  -tom
                          \_ You'd trust an intern with a hammer?  Will no one
                             think of the children?
                          \_ BTW don't pollute the paper in the paper shredder.