David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/7/23 7:46 p.m.

I’m using a zillion-year-old Mac keyboard, and left-side shift key was being a little uncooperative today. 

So I took it outside with some canned air.

Totally gross what blew out. 

Just your PSA for the day. 

Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter)
Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
6/7/23 9:11 p.m.

In reply to David S. Wallens :

I've been using the same keyboard for 11-years, I'm surprised whatever is living in there hasn't staged a revolt yet. 

tomtomgt356 (Tommy)
tomtomgt356 (Tommy) Reader
6/7/23 9:38 p.m.

In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :

As long as you keep feeding it, it stays happy.

ToManyProjects
ToManyProjects Reader
6/7/23 9:46 p.m.

I've got a super thin silicone keyboard cover. IT keeps debris out as a side benefit of ensuring the kids don't spill apple juice into the laptop.

They've come along way, and the one I have is barely noticeable compared to the bare keys.

j_tso
j_tso Dork
6/7/23 9:51 p.m.

I just got rid of an Apple Adjustable keyboard on ebay and did the same thing. Yep, there was stuff.

One thing I miss about my last job is the workshop's air compressor to blow out my keyboard once a month.


 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
6/7/23 11:50 p.m.

Judging by what I just found online, my keyboard dates from 2000-’02. Sounds about right. 

Excuse me, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the action on this keyboard.

 

myf16n
myf16n New Reader
6/8/23 1:40 a.m.

This was on a coworker's desk in the food service industry. 

scardeal
scardeal SuperDork
6/8/23 9:16 a.m.

A month or two ago I pulled off all the keycaps and cleaned out my keyboard.  It was pretty disgusting.  From the looks of it, it might be time to do it again.  So much gunk accumulates.

porschenut
porschenut HalfDork
6/8/23 10:18 a.m.

Once a week turn it upside down and whack on the desk a few times.  If you want to see gross look inside your track ball.

hybridmomentspass
hybridmomentspass Dork
6/8/23 10:38 a.m.

No, I dont...yet.

BUT Im changing the battery out on my laptop soon (had for a few weeks now), and I'll be using some compressed air all up in that thing when its apart

j_tso
j_tso Dork
6/8/23 10:47 a.m.
porschenut said:

 If you want to see gross look inside your track ball.

I thought I was done with gunk when optical mice became common, but then I started preferring track balls. At least there are no rollers there either.

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