School is using...

[Phaedrus2129]

G80-8113HRBUS-2/02s at various terminals. That's black doubleshot POS keyboards with relegendable macro keys and touchpads. MX browns.

There was one in the library that I already knew about, but I confirmed today that it's doubleshot. There's another in one of the computer rooms. They're at info terminals that no one uses; the one in the computer room at least feels like it's barely been used and has a thin layer of dust on it. Beautiful fresh MX browns, and unshiny doubleshots. Mmm...

Too bad there's no way to legally acquire them.

[microsoft windows]

You can always ask.

[theferenc]

MW is right. Just ask. Especially if you can provide a matching set of lasered keys, they will likely be at least willing to consider it.

What's the worst they can do, say no?

Random note: I just sold one of these. In similar condition to your description, as a matter of fact.

Oh, and keep in mind, there are often cameras in those labs. Out of curiosity, what school are you attending?

[Phaedrus2129]

You can always ask.

Ask whom? The teachers? A computer tech? If I went up the bureaucratic tree should I go through the bursars office, find the sysadmin, ...? No one would have the authority to do anything, and if I found someone who did, what kind of lame explanation is, "I like that keyboard, it has nice keycaps. Can I have it?"



It's Delgado Community College, by the way.

[theferenc]

Isn't there a campus wide IT department? Just walk into their offices, explain the situation, possibly offer a trade. I've done that here at IU, and it's worked fairly well once, and failed miserably once.

It just sort of depends on who you talk to, I suppose. It also helps to have the replacement keyboard in hand when you ask :-P.

[calavera]

dont schools usually lease equipment for a couple of years then replace them for new ones? I thought that's how it works. I'm probably wrong though.

[nocturn4l3030]

i would ask -.-  like mentioned already, at worst you'll get a rejection.

maybe have a replacement keyboard in your backpack and whip it out when asking..lol

[HaaTa]

Not that I condone this, just swap them while nobody's looking.

Though it depends how pro ya Ninja skillz are :spy:
I am half joking...

[Phaedrus2129]

Isn't there a campus wide IT department?

I'm not sure we even have so much as a full time--heck, part time--sysadmin. The exchange server runs MS Exchange 2000 and sends names, PINs, and ID#s in cleartext, and the wifi security certificate expired in 2009. I've gotten viruses from their network before. And as far as I know, when one of their boxes goes belly up they call up Dell and drag one of their techs out to fix it under warranty.

I know for a fact the website is designed by graduating IT majors, which is why it's such a massive pile of **** (though this year's iteration is better than last year's).

[theferenc]

Oh, then you can probably take HaaTa's advice.

And don't forget, kids, it's often easier to ask forgiveness than permission.

[j_r]

it's often easier to ask forgiveness than permission

And remember kids, it is only illegal if you get caught.

[theferenc]

Exactly!

[Lanx]

In high school our new compuer lab (pentium60's in the mid 90's) was being manned by our aging compsci teacher, he was overwhelmed so he just asked which kids want to take care of it? Long story short we had awesome fun, did basic house cleaning and ipx doom after school. It came to a stop when he said, ok i have to kick one of you out, and it's (some weird kid) for stealing all the mouse balls...

So... Don't replace the doubleshots with abs keycaps! resist, resist!

[Senor_Cartmenez]

Don't listen to Lanx...

He's no fun..

Listen to me!

I'm fun!

And I tell you: Go ahead and do it or you'll just regret passing up on those double shots :evil:


As a less evil and more elegant solution:

The one in the library, I'd just go ahead and talk to whoever is in charge at the library. Those folks often have more authority for their own little area than y'think

Also: You could just tell them you'd like to donate some new keyboards for the library because some of those old ones look out of place. However you'd like to have the old ones in return, because you actually have an old ass PC at your dad's company (or whatever) where the keyboard just broke and you could use it to replace it.


You can probably spin it a little better then I just did when u give it some thought but I think the basic idea will get u farther than just asking "can I haz it?"

[itlnstln]

Just take the damn thing.  You're paying them.  They owe you.

[keyboardlover]

Geekhack: we are both the angel AND the devil on your shoulder.

[7bit]

Just take the damn thing.  You're paying them.  They owe you.

It will not be stealing!

You will be the prince who frees the sleeping beauty!

PS: Don't kiss it! It might turn into a green rubber-dome board.

[Daniel Beaver]

Originally Posted by microsoft windows View Post
You can always ask.

Ask whom? The teachers? A computer tech? If I went up the bureaucratic tree should I go through the bursars office, find the sysadmin, ...? No one would have the authority to do anything, and if I found someone who did, what kind of lame explanation is, "I like that keyboard, it has nice keycaps. Can I have it?"

Sure. That's how I got my original Model M years ago. It's an excuse for them to buy new equipment.

[Muhi]

I know people who would've taken the whole computer... swap it for a 12 dollar rubber dome.

[Phaedrus2129]

I know people who would've taken the whole computer... swap it for a 12 dollar rubber dome.

They need the card scanner. But I still have an MY7000 or two...

[Phaedrus2129]

And the local Walmart has an ML4500 behind the "tech" desk (aka iPhone display center)

:doh:

[Lanx]

Geekhack: we are both the angel AND the devil on your shoulder.

I think i'm the only one preaching...

[laden3]

I saw a g81-8000 in a local Home Depot :biggrin:

[Phaedrus2129]

I saw a g81-8000 in a local Home Depot :biggrin:

The local Sprint store has beige MY7000s.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I'm not sure of the model, but I saw a Cherry MY POS board in some clothing store once.  I took off the keycap and took a pic.  I was going to post it, but I lost the pic when my old phone died.

[hoggy]

If you want to offer a keyboard in exchange, why don't you offer a board they might want.  How about one with high-vis keys and a small footprint?

[DanGWanG]

It would already be gone if I were going to that school...ha..ha...jk...or not.

[itlnstln]

I was going to call some of you unethical, but then I remembered I posted a few days ago about my escapades with a married woman, so I can't.

I went to that post (somehow I missed it), and I have to say... well done, sir.  Both on hammering a married chick and sending the pics to hubby.  That was epic.  The Stallion bows respectfully.

[Half-Saint]

Cop didn't see it, I didn't do it?

[Phaedrus2129]

The school ones are actually HRBUS, not HPBUS like I thought. I think that means USB instead of PS/2, and thus no NKRO (USB MX8000s are 2KRO)... less amazing, but still solid keyboards.

[Phaedrus2129]

At least your school has more modern technology than Microsoft Windows.

I dunno, the webserver is a dual Pentium III box... Come to think of it, that still qualifies.

[woody]

At least your school has more modern technology than Microsoft Windows.

You mean, they got rid of Windows? Unbelievable.

[Phaedrus2129]

Worst/best part is that the keyboard part barely gets used. They're actually print station terminals, and the only parts used are the card reader and touchpad. That explains why the keys feel so fresh and the caps aren't shiny.

Maybe I could offer a cheap scanner and USB mouse in exchange?