This just came up on IRC and so I thought I'd make a poll out of it. <g>

Saskia

Well...do different keyboards on different computers count? O:-) I've got my laptop, my family is up to three home computers, not to mention all the computer labs at school...

I've also learned not to drink while reading fic and I don't bang my head on the keyboard -- I need it! I bang on the wall, instead.

Bethy (who wants to know who it is that has lost count...)

I am so bad with keyboards - but not for any reasons listed. I ruined my laptop twice because I spilled water and Sprite on it (on two separate occasions). Then my best friend spilled her pop on it when we were studying together (for the third time!). Then I did the exact same thing to my desktop computer. Then my sister dropped her popsicle on my new desktop computer.

So, yeah, I am really irresponsible...

Alicia

Well, the one keyboard I blame completely on my sister - she's the one that spilled Sprite in it, with a little help from the idiot orange cat...

The one I hit too hard while reading was all my fault... And I tend to spray the monitor while reading, leaving the keyboard nicely intact. <g>

And I can't afford a new laptop, so I'm very careful about that one - no liquids allowed anywhere near it while I'm reading fic, and I keep a pillow close by to scream into so that I don't have to hit the computer.

Jill

Amen to that. I've already had two near death experiences with my ltop (laptop, sorry just being weird...i still blame it on being sick). Anywho so yeah I spilled coffee on it the other day, which tells me not to touch anything when I'm sleep deprived. The other one was dropping the remote on the screen...could have cracked it if it fell any harder. Whew.

Fun topic ...

it's nice to know i'm not the only klutz on the boards.

Well, does the keyboard that I uh, almost cleaned to death count?

See, I pulled off all the keys, sprayed a rag with Fantastik, and wiped the surface down. (This was 10 years ago -- I know better now.) Then I put all the keys back. It wouldn't work any more!

When I called tech support (my father), he laughed at me. Then told me to take all the keys back off until it dried overnight. So I took them all back off AGAIN. And popped 'em back on in the morning. Then it worked!

But my poor fingers!

I count to the 58% by `Just one, why would I need to have more`.

Although it is the money that makes repair it every time I slam my head against it

sunshine

Um I had to put 'lost count' as my vote - not because I was particularily rough on my keyboards, but because I use so many computers these days - at least three of the school's computers to access the internet, my laptop upstairs in my room for my archived fic, my friend's computer he's lending me - not yet hooked up, but we're trying to get it done soon, and I use it these days mainly for game playing - that is up in my room. Then back home in Canada, I've used both my mom's and dad's laptops on occasion to check my email. And then there was the computer I rented until I got my laptop. And then all the internet cafes I hung out at until I got the rental computer... Not to mention when the school's internet connection here is down, I have to find a pc-bahng (internet cafe) to keep my mailbox from overflowing...

So you see, it's impossible for me to keep track of all the keyboards I've had...

Melisma (slinking back under her Rock, really wishing she could get back on IRC - your discussions are sounding like something not to miss )

Actually, judging by the answer choices, I'm guessing Saskia actually means 'how many keyboards have you broken?'

Yvonne
(having been in IT for 18 years, I've probably *used* more keyboards that I've had hot dinners )

Yeah, I voted for just the one, although between 2 home pc's and numerous different PC's in the uni computing labs, I've lost count!

Loriel

Yes, Yvonne, that's exactly what I mean. Silly me should learn not to post when it's rather late and I'm supposed to be in bed. This is what you get then.

Anyway, I've only used one keyboard so far. I learned pretty fast that it's not good to spill drinks over a keyboard, and I really don't have money to buy a new laptop. So I'll think twice before doing such a thing.

There is a good way to solve the problem. If you are reading and drinking at the same time and you suddenly need to laugh, it is possible to keep the drink in your mouth. Just one thing, try to swallow as soon as possible or you'll end up gasping for air and coughing a lot and the result is still the same. (I spent to much time with my best friend, I know )

Saskia

Broken? Whoops. I haven't broken any yet. But I've own(ed) 5 computers total so far, two of them sharing the same keyboard right now. Not to mention work computers, school computers, friends computers, etc.

Easiest way to get keys off a keyboard is to find a flat metal object (knife, key, etc) and use it to pry the keys off. I usually use rubbing alcohol and q-tips to clean, as the alcohol dries fast, and it disinfects!

juice and crumbs make for a gluey type cement in keyboards... did you know that? I do now, I found out after my son spilled juice and cookies all over my keyboard and then the keys would not work... I actually have only had three break on me and two were not my fault... one was, i was tired and drinking dr pepper and spilled the entire glass onto the keyboard... did you know that can fry the motherboard as well?

I can understand breaking keyboards in frustration. I haven't quite, but come very close in 20 years of frustration with Windows Operating system.

My NEW keyboard is sitting on my desk waiting to be used. I just got a new IR keyboard and mouse so I guess that's ONE MORE