<p>My experiences working in the dorms showed me a few things:</p>
<ol>
<li> Prevention is the best cure</li>
<li> People are stupid</li>
<li> People are stupid</li>
<li> People are stupid</li>
<li> People are stupid</li>
</ol>
<p>Look, I know that you're not stupid, okay? But if you leave your laptop lying around while you go outside and talk to your girl/boyfriend for an hour, don't be shocked when it's not there when you get back. If I took my laptop with me anywhere, I had it in my hands or in my backpack next to me at all times. </p>
<p>Oh, and leaving your door ajar by keeping the bolt out? Stupid. Just plain stupid. </p>
<p>If, however, you are prone to bouts of poor judgment or lackadaisical thinking, then consider insuring your laptop. Besides, even the most careful owner may drop his computer, shattering the screen into many functionless shards.*</p>
<p>*Not me, of course. Never.</p>