Of Keyboards and Computers
Keep your keyboard crumb-free, boot up faster, and read the latest spaghetti study.
Lately I've been thinking a lot about the Big Questions, like why does my keyboard get so dirty, and why does my computer take so long to boot (yeah, I know that sounds weird--but you know me). So I've been digging around and I've come up with some nifty tips on how to clean your keyboard and goose your PC's startup a bit. And readers have pointed me to things I don't usually think about, like, well, pointers.
Is your keyboard as dirty as mine? The problem at my end is that schmutz--crumbs, a caraway seed, a tiny screw from when I tried to tighten the lenses on my eyeglasses, and tons of paper bits--was collecting under the keys.
I took the keyboard out to the backyard and used a can of compressed air to help improve the air quality in Pasadena.
You may want to do a more thorough job. Stan Miastkowski's "Step-By-Step: Keep a Clean Keyboard" is a good place to learn how to do it.
There's more for you to see about keyboards. Travis Smith has advice if you're having trouble removing keys from your keyboard. And I've never done it, but some readers recommend that if you spill beer on your keyboard, try popping it into the dishwasher.
Me? I try
I've tried them all; the one I like best is the one that replicates the famous Northgate keyboards. It's a CVT Avant Stellar and I wrote about it eons ago in "Treat Your Fingers to a New Keyboard." It's a crisp, clickity-clack keyboard that gives terrific tactile feedback. Our Melissa J. Perenson did a review of it more recently, and she's happy with it, too.
Talking about keyboards, I spotted a short blurb in
It turns out that LapWorks sells a set of four replacement legs. At $20, they're expensive, and they're designed for Macs. But hey, if your keyboard needs legs, it looks like these things will do nicely.
Len C. wrote recently to complain, "it takes longer and longer to log off and shut down--as much as 10 minutes."
I know you think I know everything. Nope, I don't--and I still don't have a universal Rx for making everyone's PC boot up and shutdown quickly. The truth is, I'm facing the same problem.
I resolved the problem back in the Windows 98 days; but I'm facing it again with XP. With XP's ability to use memory more efficiently, and having 2GB of it on my PC, I stopped paying attention and loaded up on tools. I've got lots of them running: Zone Alarm, As-U-Type, Winkey, Second Copy Toggle Volume, AVG, UltraMon, Logitech, Ad-Muncher, Fastcache, WinPatrol, you name it. And only God and Bill Gates know about all the unnecessary evils running in Services.
Until I figure out what to get rid of, I've started experimenting with Windows' Hibernate mode when I turn off my PC. Honest to goodness, this is really cool. When I turn it on in the morning, it's up and running in less than two minutes (unlike me).
In "Top Techniques for Putting Windows on Hold," Scott Dunn explains what Hibernate and the less-useful Standby modes are and how to use these settings.
You say you're a cheapskate, and claim to be happy with Windows ME or 98? No problem; read Lincoln Spector's November 2002 "Answer Line" for how to use Hibernation mode with your old OS.
Do you need to point at something? My buddy George S. does, and he points at PowerPoint for lots of his presentations. We both tried--and like--Logitech's Cordless 2.4 GHz Presenter for advancing PowerPoint slides from across the room. It lists for $80, but I found it for much less on our Product Finder.
Logitech's Presenter does things you'd expect: It advances and backs up slides and has a built-in laser pointer. But it also lets me black out the screen and adjust the sound, and it's got a digital timer and vibrates at preset intervals as a reminder to keep moving. The gizmo doesn't need software, and the USB transmitter that plugs into the notebook is stored right inside the Presenter.
You might also look at Gyration's $80 Go 2.4 Series Cordless Optical Air Mouse, a wireless handheld mouse. Install the software, plug the USB receiver into an available port, and away you go--almost, anyway. The Air Mouse takes some getting used to and a little training in order to hold and point it correctly; Gyration has some tips on its site.
But as for me, I'm sticking with Logitech's Presenter.
Steve Bass
