This week Tip #300 marks 6 years of weekly MacTips. Without you, the readers, there would be no Tips, and I thank you for your support. Many thanks to those who sent a testimonial. I’m preparing my News Release now.

As you know, the Tips are free, and I intend them to stay that way. If you’ve benefited from them though I’d ask you to consider doing something for others.

In the past I’ve suggested a donation to a charitable organisation, but this year I’d like to suggest something different: lend a small amount of money to a struggling business in one of the poorest countries.

Kiva lets you lend as little as US$25 to help a person in a developing country expand their business. Last year I lent an amount equal to a couple of hours of my pay to a Kenyan woman. She repaid the loan over 10 months and has been able to send her children to school because her business has grown. I was one person directly helping another, and it felt great!

If you do make a loan or a donation to charity you’re under no obligation to tell me, but it does encourage me greatly to hear about …