I know a lot of the hobbyist's always worry about friends or other family members finding out about their hobby and the possible consequences of being outed.

One thing I have done is to use a different browser for my "hobby".  No cookies in IE, no fav's, no history in IE.  I don't keep a shortcut on my desktop, just have to find it under "all programs" when I want to go online.  For the alternate browser I use "Safari", which is the apple version of IE and I got it free when I downloaded itunes software. There are other browsers around but haven't had any experience with them.

By the way, when you upgrade to Windows 7, you will find that there is a new screen that displays recently visited pages.  There might be a way around allowing this page to display but I didn't try to find it. Pointing it out as just another land mine for us hobbyists.

Happy New Year to all.

In my mac there also is an option for "private browsing" in Safari that doesn't save anything

Use Firefox or Google Chrome and use the Private Browsing option. I don't trust IE.

I too use the private browsing but it is most important to click on Reset Safari - it will clear history, empty cash, clear downloads, remove all cookies, close all open windows and more.  I use it every time after I am through surfing.

Free upgrade to IE 8 has the option of "In Private" brousing which does not store cookies, history, etc.  If you click off by accident, you must re-enter all information.  The best part is it leaves you non-hobby history intact.  
I bought the wife her own computer a couple of years ago.  She rarely needs to use mine now, but would not matter if she did.  
skb

I use Opera that is installed to an encrypted removable thumb-drive so I don't leave any traces on the hobby laptop.

At least once a week I run DoD Wipe to clear out any traces of deleted files that are left on the drive.  

I also use CyberAngel on the laptop which is a security tool I use on all my laptops.  it is good for recovering a stolen laptop but it can also be set so that during boot up if you enter the wrong password it encrypts the hard drive or the portion that has been set such as where I store email files.  

The laptop I use for the hobby is not used for work and no one else has access to it.

you can not be too careful.  Good advise.
skb

Not trying to sell anyone software but the cyberangel stuff has saved my butt more than once.  I use it on all my laptops since if one gets stole I don't want to be a victim of ID theft, been there, done that and can tell you it really sucks.