Joshua Kaufman, a software programmer, got his laptop back after setting up the terrifically named tumblelog. Kaufman had reported the MacBook stolen to the police on March 21, but two months later still hadn't heard anything about the case.

It was a good thing Kaufman had previously installed , laptop tracking software for Mac. With the software he was able to remotely gather evidence about the thief, including location information and photos -- some with screenshots of the thief logging into his Google account.

It was only after Kaufman started tweeting about the blog and the case on Twitter, however, that things started moving along. The Twitter community re-tweeted his message thousands of times, apparently, and Good Morning America picked up the story. Finally the Oakland Police Department contacted Kaufman about following up on his case, and the laptop thief was arrested that evening. Kaufman got his MacBook back the next morning.

Several stories have emerged lately of people using Twitter and software to catch laptop thieves (and even publicaly shame them). A using online , and last month another person recovered his MacBook using the free and .

If you haven't already, it's a great time to install and perhaps start building a Twitter following.