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Journal Chacham's Journal: ?: Clean the kb or just buy another one? How to clean it? 18

Journal by Chacham

There have been many stories about keyboards on Slashdot. Ranging from how to clean them to what features it should have. And, from using them with one-hand to using them underwater. There are others as well. What I am wondering about is the disposable keyboard.

My keyboard is filthy, and could easily produce a cadre of crud puppies. However, i purchased it for less than ten dollars. A keyboard is a keyboard is a keyboard. Why bother cleaning it when another can be bought for under ten bucks? If one's keyboard is fancy, that is a different story. But, for the standard issue, i would assume it can simply be the disposable keyboard.

Thus, my question, for whatever reason, is it better to clean the keyboard, or just buy a new one every year? If cleaned, how? (Mayhap the Ask Slashdot from 2k could use an update.)

(Story was rejected on submission. Oh well.)

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?: Clean the kb or just buy another one? How to clean it? More

?: Clean the kb or just buy another one? How to clean it?

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  • Get a cover like they use in auto part stores. Then you can throw that away every year or every month if you wish.
  • Buy a new one...=)
    not expensive(unless you want bells and whistles galore)... =)

    • Or a *good* keyboard. Sure, you can buy a keyboard for ten bucks, but a really solid keyboard with good buckling springs or really solid rubber plungers costs at least 50 bucks.

      Still, I replace my keyboards when they get grungy. 50 bucks every couple of years is completely worth it, and you can feel the new keys are less wobbly, etc.
    • Yeah, i've just got to make it to the store.

      I'm basically curious what others do.
  • About 6 years ago I bought a really nice IBM keyboard. This thing is the holy grail of keyboards. I could beat someone to death with it and the only problem would be the blood on my fingers making them slip while I type. That is a keyboard. It clacks when the keys are hit. I won't be giving this puppy up until they make machines without ps2 slots (hopefully a long time).

    I have only cleaned it once (about a year ago) cause because there was more milk splatters from breakfast than letters left on the k
    • Heh.

      I know what it's like to have a favored keyboard. And I know what it's like to clean a keyboard. Sure brings back memories. :)
    • I won't be giving this puppy up until they make machines without ps2 slots (hopefully a long time).

      A very long time indeed - since you can get USB-PS/2 keyboard adapters, you'll still be able to use that keyboard until you can't buy a machine with a USB port any more, and I suspect that'll be rather a long time. (Especially with PCI USB cards too!)
      --
      John Kerry: Ted Kennedy's left hand man.

  • Thus, my question, for whatever reason, is it better to clean the keyboard, or just buy a new one every year? If cleaned, how? (Mayhap the Ask Slashdot from 2k could use an update.)

    No. It's better to clean the keyboard. It's ALWAYS better to reuse what you already have. If you must replace your $10 crap keyboard, please do so by getting one that you'll want to keep until it actually breaks.

    IME cleaning a keyboard of general gunk is best done by prying the keys off, cleaning the keys and the board, let
  • You have NO EXCUSE for not recycling or reusing, i don't care how 'disposable' your money is. It's not about what your money is worth, it's about what your planet is worth, and frankly, if you can't use it, clean it up and donate it somewhere. Yes, clean your keyboard. And if you get a cover for it when you aren't using it, it won't be so bad next time. If you're replacing it, get a keyboard you'll find worth keeping awhile. If you buy a new keyboard a year for the rest of your life, the habit of throwing
    • Well, I don't mind *donating* my old KBs. Would you like to come pick it up? :)

      Oh, and i refuse to recycle. I started doing it, but then they legislated it (that one *has* to). Once forced, I crawled back into my hole, and never plan to recycle. At least not here.
      • Put it in a box with some old clothes and other stuff, and call the big brothers/ big sisters or Le Armee Salvacion. They'd be happy to drop by and collect!!!

        So let me get this straight- you recycled, until they agreed that it was a great idea and everyone should do it, and then you stopped???

        You're the one destroying the ozone! Get back under your rock!!!
        • Put it in a box with some old clothes and other stuff

          Other old stuff?

          I use things pretty much until they die, so I have little. Except computer parts, but who wants to part with those? :)

          and call the big brothers/ big sisters or Le Armee Salvacion. They'd be happy to drop by and collect!!!

          Good idea. Will keep it in mind.

          So let me get this straight- you recycled, until they agreed that it was a great idea and everyone should do it, and then you stopped???

          Yep. I *refuse* to be coerced in such a man
  • Soak it in water for a day, rinse it off, and let it dry for a couple of days... You'll save ten bucks, and it's not hard. If there is still some sticky substance on there, a tissue with rubbing alchohol will do wonders. Save your ten dollars, and save your keyboard.
    • I actually think I can get one for five to seven dollars. (I got this one, IIRC, for seven and change.)

      Soaking it directly in waters sounds easy, but, it'll take the board out of commision for a day and, if any water does stay, it'll kill the circuitry upon reuse.

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