Laser Virtual Keyboard - Yes, it's real

Several weeks ago, we brought you the article Your Keyboard is Dirtier Than a Toilet Seat.  For some of you, cleaning that old keyboard became a top priority and the Clorox wipes probably made an appearance.  For others, it might just have been easier to toss that old keyboard and purchase a new one.  After all, if you’ve been using the same one that came with your computer 5 years ago, you may have other issues that needed attention, like broken or sticking keys.  Or maybe you belong to another group of PC users completely.  Maybe you are just looking for a change or upgrade.  No matter which group you belong to, you should take a minute and read this guide for buying a new keyboard.

Buying a new keyboard my seem like a simple task, but you might be surprised to find that not all keyboards are created equal.  In a recent trip to Micro Center here in Houston, I found myself on an aisle full of these necessary components and honestly, a little overwhelmed.  There were close to 100 different options that ranged from $9.99 to almost $200.00.  I needed a new keyboard to replace my aging, frustrating hunk-of-junk that required 40 pounds of force to press the “a” and “e” keys.  Where should I start?  Why hadn’t I already researched this?  Oh, the choices!

Before stepping foot in an electronics superstore or hitting up Amazon.com, you should go through a checklist of needs and double-check your bank account balance.  Determine what you want and how much you want to spend, then get in and get out.  Here are some helpful topics to narrow down your choices and speed up your decision-making process:

Price

First and foremost, decide how much you want to spend.  If you don’t at least provide yourself a range, you might end up thinking you “need” that $200 keyboard and find yourself in hot water at home.  Buyer’s regret is not fun in a down economy.  Ask yourself these questions before deciding:

• How often do you use your keyboard? – if you only type a couple times a month, get the less expensive one.
• Is the new purchase for home use or business? – small businesses get to write off expenses, like computers and office equipment.  Keep the receipt.
• Who else will be using the keyboard? – are you the only one who will use or abuse this one?  If you have kids, a roommate and/or a spouse who likes to mistreat electronics, you might want to settle on something simple.

Connection Type

Thanks to the always-changing electronic landscape, you will be presented with several options for connection type.  First of all, do you want wired or wireless?  Wireless is more expensive, but will allow you a bit more freedom on your desktop.  Here are a few more questions to help you through connection type:

• What wireless type should you pick?
  • Radio Frequency – The 2.4 GHz bandwidth (a standard for wireless devices) is known to cause interference with wireless networks (WiFi) and other wireless devices like speakers, mice, cordless phones, baby monitors etc.
  • Bluetooth – Before you decide on Bluetooth, you should know that Bluetooth keyboards can sometimes become slower than standard keyboards.  Also Bluetooth connections may pose a security risk of data “eavesdropping.” (taken from wikipedia entry).  Also, does your computer have Bluetooth built in or will you need an adpater?

Key Layout

I cannot fully explain how frustrating a bad key layout can be.  We’re not talking the A-Z keys, but all the other keys that you use on a regular basis, like CTRL, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down…. I have a gateway laptop that is about 7 or 8 years old that I want to throw out because of the built-in keyboard.  Someone at Gateway decided to switch the standard layout by swapping the CTRL and FN keys.  So, for several years now I have been pressing FN accidentally.  Gets me every time.

• What “special” keys do you use most?
• Do you like a number pad on the side (accounting)?
• Do you use programs, like Acrobat, where Page Up and Page Down are regularly used?

Interests

IH-K230MB Keyboard from iHome

I could write about this choice for hours.  Today’s keyboard choices include setups that do much more than allow you to type.  Depending on what interests, activities or profession you have, there are keyboards designed to give you more control over the “additional functions” that you might use.  Here are a few interests that have specialized keyboards.

• Music Lovers – You have the most options by far.  Keyboards can control volume, tracks, play, pause and even contain speakers.  Some keyboards even have buttons for shuffle.
• iPod/iPhone Owners – iHome has a series of keyboards that allow you to dock your iPod/iPhone right there in the keyboard.  While they are pretty expensive, it makes it very easy to keep your device charged, synced and ready to go at all times.  You can even transfer music, photos, videos, applications and more via iTunes.
• IT/Technicians – If you find yourself on-the-go constantly, you might want a keyboard that you can take anywhere.  How about a keyboard you can roll-up and throw in a laptop bag?  Never be without your own (hopefully germ-free) keyboard that you can plug into someone’s PC/Laptop.
• Photogs – For you camera users, there are some keyboards with built in mini-USB connection cords, so you don’t have to pull the tower away from the wall or spin your laptop around to transfer photos.
• Gamers – What can I say.  If you are a gamer, this is nothing new for you.  I’ll let you write the article for that one.

Other

Your needs, along with the topics above, may get you brainstorming on some other things that you might want in a computer keyboard.  Here are a few random ideas to get you thinking and researching before you head out to the store:

• USB plugs -Are you constantly looking for a place to plug in a camera, charger, mouse or other device.  Some keyboards come with 1, 2, 3 or more USB ports for your computing needs.
• Home Entertainment PC’s – Do you have a PC connected to your television or some setup here you want to control the computer from across the room?  How about a Logitech diNovo Mini?  I have one and I absolutely love it.  You can also use it with your Playstation 3 if you want.
• Backlighting – Do you type in the dark or simply a dimly-lit room?  How about a keyboard with back-lit keys?  Wouldn’t that make it easier?

Put together your checklist and decide on an amount, then head out to make your purchase.  For you frugal shoppers out there, don’t forget to check online for price comparisons and reviews.  Personally, I like to “touch and feel” a keyboard before making a purchase, so I head into the store either way.  I can always buy online after “test-driving” it at the store.

What did I buy? My new keyboard is an Agama K-220i.  I bought my Agama because I wanted a Mac-Like keyboard, with sound controls, at a reasonable price ($19.99).  Also, I made sure that the CTRL key was exactly where it was supposed to be.  I love my new keyboard and hope to use it as I write my next 150+ articles.

“Keyboards were swabbed and those swabs sent off for analysis by a microbiologist. Frighteningly, several keyboards were highly contaminated, and at least one was removed on the scientist’s advice as it harbored four times the amount of harmful bacteria compared to a toilet seat, used as a reference point.”  This quote, taken from the article Study: keyboards make excellent homes for nasty bacteria is a sobering “call to arms” for PC users everywhere.  We spend countless hours on our computers and the majority of that time is spent “communicating” with our PC via the keyboard and mouse.  Ironically, these user input devices are often the last to receive any maintenance or cleaning.

A recent article on lifehacker.com titled Give Your Computer and Peripherals a Spring Cleaning provides some great information on cleaning the internal and external components of personal computers.  I urge all readers to read the original blog post but have provided a “checklist” of items, taken from the article, for those of you looking for the highlights.  CAUTION: Before you get started with any PC cleaning project, be sure to back up your data and power down your computer and external devices.  Don’t be scared, just be cautious.

Interior Cleaning

Dust = Damage

TIP 1: The inside of your tower/desktop should be cleaned every 6 months or yearly.  For pet owners and smokers, you might want to do this every 3 months.

• Dust, pet hair and other random particles are attracted to your PC (especially if it is lower to the ground) and cake up on the internal components.
• They act as insulator and cause the internal temperature to rise.
• The higher the temperature, the more the internal components must work and the sooner they will give out.

TIP 2: Canned air is a great tool for removing unwanted dust.

• Never blow canned air directly into fans, as it can cause the fans to “over-spin” and may keep them from working properly
• You can hold a fan in place, using a paper clip, while using canned air

TIP 3: A damp cloth can be used on fan blades to remove dust and buildup.

BONUS: To help prevent dust from entering your computer, there are “computer dust covers” available from companies like Dirt Bag, Inc.  I haven’t used these myself, but the idea seems solid and the entry price is not bad at all. ($20 and under)

DON’T DO THIS!

Peripherals (External Components)

TIP 1: Electrostatic cloths are perfect for cleaning the outside of towers, printers, scanners, etc.

• Remember that static electricity is one of your PC’s worst enemies

TIP 2: A very lightly dampened cloth works great on monitors, scanner beds, web cams and other “glass” surfaces

• Microfiber or 100% cotton cloths only.  You don’t want to scratch these peripherals
• NO paper napkins or paper towels!

TIP 3: Disinfecting/Sanitizing wipes are great for keyboards and mice

• Do this frequently!!!!!!!!!!!

TIP 4: Old mascara brushes can help clean between keys.

BONUS: A new product called CyberClean helps remove dust and crumbs from places like keyboards and buttons.  I haven’t used this product either, but have seen it in stores like Walgreens and Canadian Tire (that one’s for our friends north of the U.S.).

If you have ventured down the “computer+television” path, or are thinking of doing so, one hurdle quickly prevents itself.  How do you control the computer from the couch?  You need an input device of some sort and a keyboard with a super-long cord is really not an option (safety hazard!)  There have been some great wireless keyboard/mice combos released over the last few years, but they are often costly options and are only useful for that one purpose.  At $100 or more, this is not the kind of cost-effective resolution that most are looking for.  So, why not use a device you already have as the solution?  Your smart phone is just the thing and we have a quick rundown on two applications that can get you up and running today!

There are a wide range of smart phones on the market today, but the two most popular are the iPhone and Android powered devices.  We’ve got a FREE application for each and the instructions you need to get you started:

Logitech TouchMouse

Device: iPhone or iPod Touch
Link: http://www.logitech.com/touchmouse
Review: The remote control/gadget makers at Logitech have hit the nail on the head.  A quick and easy installation can get most anyone up and running in about 5 minutes.  You now have a wireless mouse and keyboard combo capable of most anything their wired counterparts are capable of, for FREE! Click, double-click, drag and scroll in portrait or landscape.
Downfall: The iPhone/iPod has no physical keyboard, so if you are a fan of the tactile interface, you might not like the virtual keyboard for inputting addresses or passwords.
Installation:

1. Install the Logitech TouchMouse app on your iPhone/iPod Touch
2. Install the Logitech TouchMouse Server on your computer (link provided above)
3. Select the computer you want to control
4. Go!

RemoteDroid

Device: Android Powered Device
Link: http://www.remotedroid.net
Review: RemoteDroid turns your phone into a wireless keyboard and mouse with touchpad, using your own wireless network. It’s a free application for phones running Google’s Android operating system, such as the Droid (Verizon Wireless) and the G1 (T-Mobile).  The interface is not as sleek as the Logitech version (for iPhones) but does what it promises and, if you have an Android device like the G1, you have a physical keyboard at your disposal.
Downfall: RemoteDroid doesn’t find your server automatically, so you have to enter the IP manually.
Installation:

1. Install RemoteDroid Server Application on your computer (link provided above)
2. Install the RemoteDroid App on your Android Device (Marketplace)
3. Launch the RemoteDroid Server
4. Type the IP address (provided in RemoteDroid Server) into app on Android Device
5. Go!