Do keyboard roofs really work?

[megarat]

So, I'm thinking about getting a keyboard roof, because they look pretty swank.  But I'm curious about how effective they are.

(I'm assuming that their primary responsibility is to keep dust off the keyboard.  If I'm missing something, let me know.)

After all, they don't really provide a seal; there are those big gaps on either side.

So ... do the roofs actually work?

[o2dazone]

I use a roof to keep airborne dog hair out of my keyboard. I also do a lot of things -at- my computer, but not necessarily typing. This helps from things getting in there, specifically food.

I also tote my hhkb to and from work - I put it in a tailored bag, with the roof on it, to keep me from depressing the keys.

I don't know anything about dust, but my Filco was pretty undusty when I loaned it out (had the cover that came with it on every night)

[watduzhkstand4]

I don't think it's worth it honestly. I know it looks very nice but I think the clear plastic one that came with my Filco works great! Actually it might even be better because it's covered on the sides too! Yes I know I'm a cheapo =P

[watduzhkstand4]

They actually sell the Filco keyboard cover separately on Leopold for $8.

Show Image

Mine doesn't work so hot but that's only because I never took it out of the box.   I'm a slob.

wow they sell it for $8? That one looks just like the one that comes free with the FIlco board!

[timw4mail]

Are these just to cover the keyboard when you aren't using it, then?

[itlnstln]

I don't use either the cover or the roof, I just dust my keyboards 2-3 times a day using an ostrich feather duster.  The roof would help overnight to keep dust from getting down in between the keys.  The duster keeps the surface spot free, though.

[itlnstln]

Are these just to cover the keyboard when you aren't using it, then?

F'sho'.  They help keep dust out when not in use.  The ones ripster was showing are basically the packing material for the Filco.

[timw4mail]

F'sho'.  They help keep dust out when not in use.  The ones ripster was showing are basically the packing material for the Filco.

How well do the ones you keep on the keyboard work for typing?

[itlnstln]

How well do the ones you keep on the keyboard work for typing?

I haven't seen one of those in a long time, but I remember, back in the day, they used to be somewhat common on Model Ms.  I also remember hating them.

[watduzhkstand4]

How well do the ones you keep on the keyboard work for typing?

I think unicomp still sells then on their customizers. I remember recently typing on one when Circuit City was closing out everything. It was just ridiculous how you have no feel of anything. You will keep the keyboard clean but then every keyboard will just fell like a rubber dome.

[watduzhkstand4]

Topre should include one with every $270 keyboard then.

^cosign^

Like I said, the roofs look nice. But for $30+, this is pretty much an enthusiast's price because that can get you like 4+ rubber dome boards. Also, where are you going to put it when you're using the keyboard itself?

[itlnstln]

Being sarcastic. Must not work on the internet.

Not really. About 95% of my posts are sarcastic, but I don't think anybody knows or cares.  I know I don't care.

[itlnstln]

I think I'm pretty much ignored, anyway.  I just post here to use my keyboards.

[o2dazone]

you too?
I'd blog too, but I'm not gay

[itlnstln]

you too?
I'd blog too, but I'm not gay

I really don't care about anything that I would even want to share with people, anyway.  That, and I'm just not that self-important.  I'm sure none of you really gives a rat-a*s what I do away from GeekHack, anyway.  I really don't get blogging.  Blogging is only useful in journalism, but then, they're called "editorials."

[tamasrepus]

I have a keyboard roof for my HHKB Pro 2, and I think it's pretty effective.

I place the roof on the keyboard overnight, as well as when I'm eating near the computer/keyboard (which happens often).

I have severe dust problems in my room, and as dust generally falls vertically, the gaps on the side probably don't make a difference. When it comes down to it, it's better than nothing.

[skyian]

Now I know the term.. Keyboard roof... in Chinese we call it 鍵盤保護蓋
anyway... we also discuss the same issue here.

My opinion is ... when you are not using the keyboard, it would be quite useful if you cover the keyboard with something. Or when you are eating or drinking something near the keyboard, it would be best if you also cover keyboards with something.

Notice I use the term "something" ^_^

In my point of view, the point is to cover it, no matter what you use to cover. I usually use my clothes or small towel to cover it. I could greatly slowly down the speed of your keyboard being dirty.

But if you use your keyboard in office or some public space, it would be better to use a clean and beautiful small towel or buy a plastic keyboard roof like the filco one or larger one like these,

http://www.pmma.com.tw/tlp/02.php?id=42

http://www.pmma.com.tw/tlp/02.php?id=199

[Rajagra]

You can always just turn the keyboard upside down.
Then dust will actually fall out.

[sixty]

Now I know the term.. Keyboard roof... in Chinese we call it 鍵盤保護蓋
anyway... we also discuss the same issue here.

{...}

http://www.pmma.com.tw/tlp/02.php?id=42

http://www.pmma.com.tw/tlp/02.php?id=199

Wow, the first roof there looks really useful. Powerful enough to hold the LCD on it even.. hmm now if only I could find one of those here.

PS: Nice to see you here on geekhack, I have been browsing your own forum for a while with google translate. Awesome stuff!

[Manyak]

You can always just turn the keyboard upside down.
Then dust will actually fall out.

And get caught on the underside of the keycaps. Then on some keyboards it can get inside the switch mechanisms when you turn it right side up again.

[Rajagra]

And get caught on the underside of the keycaps. Then on some keyboards it can get inside the switch mechanisms when you turn it right side up again.

Good point. There goes my keyboard cleaning method too. Better find myself a vacuum nozzle that fits between keys.

[skyian]

Wow, the first roof there looks really useful. Powerful enough to hold the LCD on it even.. hmm now if only I could find one of those here.

PS: Nice to see you here on geekhack, I have been browsing your own forum for a while with google translate. Awesome stuff!

Thanks for your compliment ...^_^

The one which can put a LCD on it is quite common in Taiwan, since we don't have much desk space for both LCD and keyboard.... = ="

Actually you could find a variety of plastic keyboard roof on Taiwan's Yahoo Auction. Like these links,


http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e27699633

http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e30870657

Enter the keyword "LCD架" and do the search in the following page. You will see more good auction stuff.

http://tw.bid.yahoo.com/


Actually I truly thought it is totally a special industry for Taiwan, cause we truly don't have that much living space which directly leads to small desk space....= ="


I think if your desk and living space is wide and big enough, you might skip this option and find some other normal keyboard roof... (LOL)


Anyway, because Taiwan is not a big island, it's not difficult for us to find a store selling plastic stuffs nearby. Hence we may directly ask he to make the same plastic keyboard roof for us.


I am not sure if stores or factories in USA could do the same thing. (sigh)


Even if Taiwan auction seller accept international orders, it would be quite bothering about the payment and shipping...(sigh again)

Anyway, Good Luck and thank you again for visiting my forum. Hope to see you in my forum in the near future. (LOL)

I am now thinking of establish a specific English zone about keyboard in my forum so that non-Chinese users may also understand my keyboard test reviews... ^_^

I like Geekhack forum... Always can find nice and kind people here... ^_^

It's late.. time to hit the sack...^_^

[sixty]

Thanks for your compliment ...^_^

The one which can put a LCD on it is quite common in Taiwan, since we don't have much desk space for both LCD and keyboard.... = ="

Actually you could find a variety of plastic keyboard roof on Taiwan's Yahoo Auction. Like these links,


http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e27699633

http://tw.page.bid.yahoo.com/tw/auction/e30870657

Enter the keyword "LCD架" and do the search in the following page. You will see more good auction stuff.

http://tw.bid.yahoo.com/


Actually I truly thought it is totally a special industry for Taiwan, cause we truly don't have that much living space which directly leads to small desk space....= ="


I think if your desk and living space is wide and big enough, you might skip this option and find some other normal keyboard roof... (LOL)


Anyway, because Taiwan is not a big island, it's not difficult for us to find a store selling plastic stuffs nearby. Hence we may directly ask he to make the same plastic keyboard roof for us.


I am not sure if stores or factories in USA could do the same thing. (sigh)


Even if Taiwan auction seller accept international orders, it would be quite bothering about the payment and shipping...(sigh again)

Anyway, Good Luck and thank you again for visiting my forum. Hope to see you in my forum in the near future. (LOL)

I am now thinking of establish a specific English zone about keyboard in my forum so that non-Chinese users may also understand my keyboard test reviews... ^_^

I like Geekhack forum... Always can find nice and kind people here... ^_^

It's late.. time to hit the sack...^_^

Hey thanks for those links!
Actually my desk is really big enough, but I think that this type of roof is a lot more stylish than the small ones and actually serves practical use when not protecting the keyboard.. for example I could put CDs and other stuff under it, when its not protecting the keyboard. Then when leaving the workspace I would have to remove and sort whatever I put under it first, before putting the keyboard inside. This eventually would lead to a more tidy desk?! Nice side effect.

About your board: I think an English section would be nice, or simply an allowance for people to post in English in the normal board too. I am often afraid of posting in English on a foreign board, since I do not want to seem rude.

[keyb_gr]

It just occurred to me that having a (transparent) keyboard roof to put the monitor onto might be pretty handy for me. Being not too well-sighted, I keep a monitor distance of about 30 cm, sometimes less, and always have trouble with the monitor being too far away for my eyes while the keyboard is too close for my arms, which in the end doesn't do my back much good.

Here at least I can use the Eizo's Y-shaped foot as a keyboard rest, but that wouldn't work with my Samsung at home.

[o2dazone]

you could get a monitor arm

[keyb_gr]

Not a bad idea at all. My Samsung does have a VESA mount, and its height adjustment is kinda crappy anyway.

It might only happen that I'd move out in a few months (depending on where I can find a job), and my folks might not be too motivated to help me getting a monitor arm attached.

[o2dazone]

yeah VESA mounts are garbage...thankfully my brother and a friend of mine did all the shopping around ahead of time, so I didn't have to, and found the suitable arm (Ergotron LX...don't get the "Neoflex" one)

The monitor arm is self installable clamps right to the desk. You only need to drill a hole if you can't attach it to the edge of the desk (it extends 24" so it gives you lots of room).

Anywho PM me about it later if you want more info

[keyb_gr]

(Ergotron LX...don't get the "Neoflex" one)

Funny, that's also the one that seemed most promising to me after some research. Not too easy on the bank account though, 110€+. There's a nice black Eizo foot on the 'bay right now (much like the one on my work monitor) which doesn't cost an arm and a leg, so I might snatch that up.

[o2dazone]

yeah, the Neoflex's are cheaper...but they don't hold standard 24" monitors. If you're working with less than that though, it should be alright

[keyb_gr]

Think I'd need the LX (in spite of a 19"), as the monitor would have to be about 50 cm or more from the rear edge and most smaller arms won't go that far (the Neo-Flex included, which does a maximum at 49 cm but then gets rather low as well). At least the reviews are indicating that it's worth every penny.
Looks like I'll pass on the Eizo foot and splurge on this one. This would finally solve a number of other problems, including the placement of two keyboards behind each other (2x G80-3000 is barely possible now, but G80-3000 + G80-1000 or Model M gets critical).

[o2dazone]

I can take more photos of mine if you'd like. I got a great deal at Provantage.com (but I bought in the States...YMMV). Let me know how it all turns out

[megarat]

I can take more photos of mine if you'd like. I got a great deal at Provantage.com (but I bought in the States...YMMV). Let me know how it all turns out

I second this recommendation.  The LX rocks the house, and I use a 24" LCD with it.

I also got my LX from Provantage, and the US$100ish price tag doesn't seem so bad when you realize that you can use it (hopefully) for future monitors.

[Rajagra]

yeah VESA mounts are garbage

I thought the VESA mount was the international standard for attaching screens to arms.

[o2dazone]

hahahah I had no idea actually
I have a Viewsonic at work where the mount kept dipping on me. I had IT come look at it and he asked if it was a VESA mount and I shrugged.

Good to know what that means now lol

[patrickgeekhack]

o2dazone: Does the monitor arm vibrates when you are typing? I wish I had hardwood floor in my "office." But, I have carpet floor and it kind of cause some vibration issues.

[keyb_gr]

Just to keep you folks updated, I'm currently trying to decide on black vs. silver and then find a decent dealer.

[o2dazone]

Hey patrickgeekhack,

I haven't had any vibrating issues. My desk is on burbur carpet, which is pretty thick. If I slam my arms on the desk or if I put pressure on my desk with my arms and wiggle it back and forth, it will wobble, but from typing, even furious, I don't get any vibration. This might change depending how extended your arm is (Mine goes out and then doubles back)

[megarat]

o2dazone: Does the monitor arm vibrates when you are typing? I wish I had hardwood floor in my "office." But, I have carpet floor and it kind of cause some vibration issues.

To pitch in:  my monitor is mounted to a wall-mount, so there are definitely no vibrations related to typing.  I did have it desk-mounted for about a year, however, and didn't have any issues then either.

[patrickgeekhack]

@ o2dazone and megarat

Maybe I should get one of these monitor arms then. I will free some space on my desk.

[keyb_gr]

Geekhack Disease of the Month: The [strike]Tennis[/strike] Monitor Arm

[Manyak]

Man, I wish monitor arms could hold 100lb CRTs. I wouldn't have had to buy a $900 desk.

[rdjack21]

Man, I wish monitor arms could hold 100lb CRTs. I wouldn't have had to buy a $900 desk.

Man way too much for a desk. I Just bought a really nice 1" thick Solid Mango dining room table that I use for a desk. I can stand on it and it is still solid no wobbles or shakes. And it only cost me $250. I love it!

[keyb_gr]

Man, I wish monitor arms could hold 100lb CRTs.

Actually there are some arms out there with a base to put the whole monitor onto. Obviously they won't be quite as flexible but they do exist.

[DrunkenDonut]

Geekhack Disease of the Month: The [strike]Tennis[/strike] Monitor Arm

Haha! It's the truth!

Although, if people are like me, there are many "diseases" and addictions which you will have to cycle on a monthly basis or so (just like your many keyboards, right?). Sometimes the hobbies end up cyclical:

I was looking at replacing the head unit in my car and I went on a search that lead me having the strange thought of "If I had a Model M in here, where would I put it?" :s  Hurray for car computers and touchscreens, but I still think an emergency keyboard would be handy. G84-4100?

Also, I don't need a monitor arm so much as I need a bigger desk and storage area (and a tidier one too). An arm would only alleviate an issue that was caused by another issue.