(no subject)

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

I posted this to my school's livejournal:

Hey kids:
If you are going to drink liquids around computers, use a lid and be careful not to spill anything. If you do spill something, it is common courtesy to clean up after yourself.

But above all, if you do spill something into an IRC computer, let the desk know so we can take care of it.

Ew.

(Livejournal, taking the place of angry posters in the library.)

So I go to check out the dysfunctional keyboard and notice that there is a puddle on the desk. When I lifted the keyboard to check out the extent of the puddle, I notice that there is liquid in the keyboard, sloshing around. These Apple keyboards are clear plastic underneath, so you can see the yellow liquid as if it were some sort of children's toy. Whimsical, no? Maybe whoever spilled the juice (and it was juice, thank god) should have added glitter too.
In any case, I replaced the keyboard and handed the gross one to the hardware shop (poor receptionist guy) and bitched about the stupidity of my fellow students for the next twenty minutes.

Also, to the girl who had a corrupt Powerpoint file: when I recommend that you copy and paste the information on the okay slides to a new powerpoint file, please do so. It's not stupid advice--my boss heard the advice and told both of us that it was a really good idea--and stubbornly continuing to work on the corrupted file that you are unable to save is obviously not working, so take my advice. I do usually know what I'm talking about, that's why they pay me the big bucks.*

* I recently got promoted to one of the highest paying student positions on campus. Go me.

Comments

[lions-tambua.livejournal.com]

1) * congrats! GO you :)
2) PP-Girl: *shakes head* some ppl have to learn the hard way.
3) oh. i ALWAYS have something to drink right beside my keyboard. and i have to admit that i already killed ONE keyboard with that. that way... let me think... about .. 9 years ago ?
Since that i either use BOTTLES (with screwtop) or BIG glasses that wont tip over easily

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

1. Thanks! I'm pretty stoked.
2. The girl eventually left in frustration. I did not feel bad. Most of the department's profs frown on Powerpoint since it has a tendency to suck people's energy and time. This is why.
3. See, I don't have a problem with people drinking in the computer labs, or even eating. That is, so long as people are clean and smart about it. Our library has a pretty permissive eating policy and recently had to change it to the backpacking credo "leave no trace." They now specify that you can't have sticky, smelly or messy foods in the library, and if you have a drink, it has to be in a closed container. It makes sense to me (except for the no alcoholic beverages part, which is sad for all the thesis-writing seniors who traditionally stock their thesis desks with booze), I would rather CUS not have to do the same.

[geekgrrl-ca.livejournal.com]

The problem with big glasses is they have more in them if you do manage to knock them over.

[lions-tambua.livejournal.com]

well.. yea. but its more difficult. however. right yesterday i managed to knock an smaller glas over again. but since i put these things always a bit away from the keyboard, the water (just water. nothing else) went under the keyboard. that wasnt such a big mess and as you see, it still works witou ny prbleesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

[arkady.livejournal.com]

See, the liquid-in-the-keyboard problem is why I favour IBM Model M keyboards; you can stick them in the dishwasher with no lasting damage.

Plus the big metal plate in the base makes them great for intercubicle combat....

[tjernobyl.livejournal.com]

Mine has even survived a couple rounds of waiting-to-dry and punching till the keys move again. Built like a tank.

[klytus.livejournal.com]

I remember spending $99 for a keyboard like that about 10 years ago, and then an extra $15 to get a customized keyboard condom... er... cover. I still have it, someplace, and it never gave me a lick of trouble. I hate it that keyboards are so disposable nowadays.

[tjernobyl.livejournal.com]

I like to be able to trust my gear, yaknow? I want to feel the need to upgrade instead of the need to replace something broken. Especially something broken at an inopportune time.

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

The DISHWASHER? Wow.
These sound like some pretty hardcore keyboards. Awesome.

[tjernobyl.livejournal.com]

You could pick one up today (or you could, if they were still in production) and keep using it until direct neural interfaces are invented.

[samwize.livejournal.com]

Whoa...

IRC... school for smart kids... Are you by any chance at a certain school in aurora?

[knittinggoddess.livejournal.com]

Nope. But "school for smart kids" describes a huge number of schools, from kindergarden up through undergrad. (And beyond, I'd assume.)