Re: Writing has become physically painful :(

On Tue, 17 Apr 2007 02:13:20 -0500, Cyli wrote:

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 18:50:36 -0500, Ric Locke
<warrick.locke@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 23:33:21 +0100, Diem wrote:

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007 15:51:38 GMT, Jeff Stehman
<jeff5@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In article <ve4723l67hisjlnpa6r272vf7ms4lcbb4o@xxxxxxx>,
diem@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx says...

I've used a split keyboard and it seemed to be easier - but then I
spilt coffee on it and now I'm back with a flat one, with
corresponding increase in pain.

That's a shame, as spills are usually an easy fix: immediately unplug
keyboard, rinse thoroughly with water, and allow to dry completely
(which may take a few days).

It's possible it was something other than coffee, something like
orange juice, but it was a while ago so I don't remember. I may get
the spouse onto looking through the junk in the garage and see if it's
still there. Possibly it is salvagable.

Put it in the dishwasher.

No, I'm not kidding. Use the "short wash" option if you have it, and about
half the normal detergent. Take it out about halfway through the dry cycle
and let it air dry overnight.

Like magic. And what have you to lose?

Regards,
Ric


I've done that. No detergent, though. And used the 'air dry' rather
than 'heat' button. I let it dry in the drainer I use for hand washed
dishes for a couple of days. UPSIDE DOWN. You don't want any mineral
residues from the water hanging around under the keys or in the basic
board.

Yes. Don't be shy about the detergent, though -- just don't use a large
amount. Now that things like Freon and aromatic solvents are discouraged in
manufacturing, that's almost certainly how it was cleaned at the factory.

I should have noted that if you have temperature options on your dishwasher
you should use the coolest setting.

As for drying upside down, that depends on how it was made. Newer keyboards
mostly have all the contacts built into the printed circuit board, with the
key mechanism just bits of plastic to hold it all together and give you
something to push; those dry best upside down, if you don't get water
collecting in the backs of the key caps. (You can pry the key caps off
without getting into "sproing!" problems, in most cases, and that's a good
idea.) Older ones, with individual keyswitch modules, should be dried on
edge, preferably with the space bar up. If your water is heavily
mineralized you may need an overnight soak in distilled water to remove the
mineral residue.

None of that is worth the effort for the new cheap ones; plunk down the
five pounds and toss the defective one in the bin. The old clickety ones
are worth it, at least to me -- I've an old Northgate that needs the
treatment, plus replacement of the electrolytic capacitors, but I can't
take it out of service just yet.

For very sticky stuff that's glued itself on (unless insects have
eaten the residue?), you may have to take the keyboard apart. Now
_that's_ an adventure. Sproinging springs trying to go everywhere.
Keys getting mixed up. Then you run the board through the washer
again, wash the keys in mild dishwashing detergent in the sink, dry
everything very thoroughly (hey, you've been without it for a long
time, an extra day or two to insure dryness won't hurt.) and then try
to put it back together. Springs will sproing again as you try to
slip the keys over them. Fun time.

Do not have cats, children, spouses, significant others, or even dogs
in the room with you for removal or reinsertion times. A very
peaceful fish in a tank might be okay. Maybe.

The ideal environment would be the room Bowman finds himself in at the end
of /2001/ -- seamless, empty, and lit on all six faces :-)

Regards,
Ric

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