My name is Rex, and I'm the channel steward for the computers & technology channel.

I've been involved in computers for a very long time, and interest that was first initiated when I saw the rows of reel to reel computers at Oregon Institute of Technology, in Southern Oregon, back in the 70's. Unlike today's computers, those old systems didn't have keyboards, they accepted punched cards. A modern day PC has about 15 times more computing capacity than a room full of those old monsters.

My first computer was a Tandy, purchased at Radio Shack. I had to learn how to program in BASIC in order to use it, but that was a fun challenge. It also came in handy, as BASIC isn't much different than DOS.

My first 'real' computer was a 386 that used Windows 3.1.

Shortly after I got the 386, I went to school at OIT, majoring in Computer Technology. After school, I went to work as a computer technician at a call center, where I was trained to use the then-new Windows 95, as well as several Mac operating systems.

Since then, I learned the use and architecture of Windows 98, ME, NT 4, XP, and most recently Vista, while holdng various positions in two organizations; trainer, email technician, fax technician, supervisor, senior technician, and finally technical engineer.

I welcome writers to this channel, and I definitely enjoy learning about the writers at Helium. If you have questions regarding the writing, about Helium, or if I can help in some way, please don't hesitate to drop me a note.

The stewards for the Computer & Technology channel are also here to help. They are:

Jennifer Thompson Consumer Electronics

Dave Goodwin Internet

Bill Stein Telephones

Hardware is Janet Pieterse Hardware

And me, Rex Trulove, channel steward for Computers & Technology

Welcome, everybody!

Computers & Technology > Computer Maintenance How to properly clean a keyboard

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It is truly amazing, how dirty the keyboard can get, even if you take great pains to keep it as clean as possible. Dust, hair, lint, and a number of other things can seem to gravitate to the keyboard and under the keys. Thankfully, keyboards usually aren't difficult to clean, though it may take a little time. After all, the less money you spend on the computer, the more money you have to spend on other things.

Lets first consider the keyboard chassis and the keys. Sticky fingers can result in getting sticky stuff everywhere on the keyboard that is touched. Of course it would be a bit sil...

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