• The Omnificent English Dictionary In Limerick Form
• Thank goodness, the election ended with no run-offs (at least not for my area). But a good lesson to be learned with political signs looking like bad PowerPoint slides. Just like writing for the web differs from other resources, signs have their own requirements.
• Life Is Not an Emergency … Or is it? I love this entry. We need to enjoy our lives and not stick to a movie (life) script all the time. Life should be like a roller coaster instead of a too safe Merry-Go-Round (great dialogue in Parenthood about this).
• What To Do about Looky-Lous. Who cares if we have more “No thanks, I’m just looking” people today or not. Always treat every person as a potential customer.
• Canadian English as Explained by Joe Clark.

And for fun because we’re allowed…

• How unique is your user name?
• I want my MTV! MTV opened the world of modern music for me since I could finally see the name of the song and know what I liked. If I liked something I heard on radio, I was out of luck as nothing could tell me the name of the song. Enjoy the MTV music videos of the days old. By the time they captioned many music videos, I was too busy taking care of my children. Too bad, they’re not captioned here.
• Pretty keyboard! And this Karaoke Soap on a Rope is just asking for a lot of bad jokes.
• It’s hard for me to discover new songs because I can’t identify songs on the radio. Karen came up with an ingenious way of discovering new love songs. I have quirky playlists and am not into love songs. But love good song with a strong beat and words that you can hear over the music instead of the music drowning it out. Let me know!
• Gorgeous original photos of Scotland. [Link: Joanna]

• Computer pranks
• Stamps all over a keyboard: Original! Colorful.
• 10+ Things to Do with Dry-Erase Markers: Don’t throw ‘em out even if the board is gone for good. Advisory: Don’t write on me! From your monitor.
• Online Copywriting 101: The Ultimate Cheat Sheet
• 100 Resources for When You’re on the Move [Link, Freelance Folder]
• Geek of the Day: Geek Humor

A few days ago, I wrote about my new keyboard and mouse set. I’m happy with it except for one thing… it skips letters sometimes. No predictable fashion. I wrote to Microsoft Support about it and a tech replied within a few hours. The tech proposed it could be an issue with one of the following:

1. Issue with the ports.

2. Use of Port replicators, hubs etc.

3. RF Interference.

4. Issue with the keyboard itself.

When I get a chance, I will try out the following:

Step 1: Try switching Ports

Connect only the USB plug, leaving the other PS/2 connector detached. This way both the keyboard and mouse will work as USB device. Please make sure that you are not using any port replicators or USB hubs to connect the device to the USB port. Please connect the USB connecter directly to the USB po
rt of the system. Now we need to correctly re-synchronize the keyboard /mouse with the receiver.

Step 2: RF Interference

Please ensure there are no devices, which are likely to emit Radio Frequency because this may cause interference with the signals which receiver gathers from the keyboard. Items such as Radio, Cell Phones, desktop fans, Fluorescent lights, Large metal objects, including computer cases and metal fur
niture may interfere with the signal of the mouse. Please keep the items away from the mouse and check the behavior of the mouse. Make sure that the receiver of the desktop set is close to the keyboard while testing.

Now check if you are able to use the keyboard as expected. I you still face issue please try the next step.

Step 3 – Test in Mskey utility

The MSKey Keyboard Tool is a diagnostic tool used to verify keyboard functionality. To test the keyboard in MSKey tool, please follow the below steps:

1. Click on Start, All Programs, Microsoft Keyboard.
2. Right-click on the “Microsoft Keyboard” icon and select properties.
3. Click on “Find Target” button to open the folder where the IntelliType Pro software is installed.
4. In the folder, locate the mskey.exe and double click on it to launch the tool.
(Alternatively you could click on Start, Run and type mskey.exe in the open box to launch the tool)
5. Press various keys to verify that the pressed keys match the keys identified in the Microsoft Keyboard Diagnostics window.

Now test if the keys work.

Step 4: Test on another system (I should’ve thought of this one!)

To isolate the possibility of any issue with the system, please test the device on another system.

In Keyboard and Mice Talkback, I talked about my need for a new keyboard and mouse pair because my keyboard died (R.I.P.). The Logitech set worked well for me and I would not have minded replacing it with another. However, I decided to open the door for your experiences as I like to keep an open mind. If I didn’t, I’d be working on outdated stuff and living in the dark ages.

I didn’t have to make a decision after all! woot! made it for me when it posted the Microsoft Wireless Optical Elite Keyboard and Mouse for sale. I’ve been using it for several weeks.

I love it! It’s not perfect, however. It has one flaw, but the keyboard and the wheels are so smooth, that I am learning to live with its flaw. It omits letters I type from time to time. Thank goodness for spell checker, but I don’t always remember to run it or proof my work as you know you can’t completely rely on it.

I’ve tried fresh batteries, resetting the keyboard, searching the Web and Microsoft’s Web site for answers and can’t get it to stop omitting letters. Yes, the receiver is close… so close, the keyboard and receiver can smell each other.

Other than that, it’s a comfortable keyboard and I actually make use of the shortcut buttons. It comes with five buttons you can program to go wherever you want… open a program, a Web site, email application. Music lovers will appreciate the media management section at the top-center of the keyboard. It has the typical play, stop, pause, louder, softer, mute, rewind, and fast forward buttons.

Since it is a Microsoft product, it comes with buttons for My Documents, My Pictures, My Music, and Messenger. Of course, you can changes these. In fact, I changed Messenger to open Trillian instead.

Right by the tilt wheel on the keyboard is the back and forward buttons. Instead of moving your mouse to the top left of your browser to go back and forward through Web pages, you can use these buttons. Those who prefer to minimally rely on mice would appreciate this keyboard.

Ctrl+C, Ctrl+X, and Ctrl+V are commonly used keys for copy, cutting, and pasting. If you can’t remember that, the keyboard has *Cut on the front side of the X key. Same goes for C, V, B (bold), U (underline), I (italic), F (find), and A (all).

Most of the function (F) keys have a dual purpose. F1 is the standard for Help. It also has Help imprinted on the key. I frequently use Shift+F7 in word to use the thesaurus. When the F keys are turned off, hitting F7 means replying to an email. Other F keys have undo, redo, new, open, close, forward, send, spell, save, and print.

The set of keys between the main keys (the letters, numbers) and the numbers only key is where the Home, End, Delete, Insert, Page Up, and Page Down keys live. Microsoft did a smart thing and dumped the Insert key. I NEVER used it and yet, I hit it by accident all the time and had to do an Undo to get my letters back. My work computer has Insert and I still hit the darn thing.

The keyboard has two column instead of three. On the first is Home and Delete (taking up the space of two keys). The second column has End, Page Up, and Page Down. Logitech also has a keyboard with the same layout, so it’s not a Microsoft problem. I have not been able to get the hang of this set of keys. Maybe it doesn’t help that I’m using a different keyboard at the office (getting a replacement is not an option).

The wrist rest is soft and smooth. Logitech’s wrist rest (try saying that out loud five times and fast) was cheap plastic and cold. The mouse wheel moves like buttah and can be tilted left and right.

I’m delighted with the purchase especially for the price. Despite being called the Evil Empire and all that, I gotta give Microsoft credit for having a nice product whether it made it or bought it from another manufacturer and slapped its name on it.

My cordless keyboard is dying a slow death (Actually, it died. I plugged it back in to try something and it would not spill out any letters or numbers.). I changed the batteries and everything… reset the keyboard and its charging base. The keyboard still tunes in and out as its pleases causing me t tpe stff lke ths. Right now I am on a keyboard with a cord and I am still using the cordless mouse as it works fine.

I would like to replace it with a keyboard and mouse set, but with an ergonomic mouse. I don’t like the ergo keyboards. I tried one (Paul loves it), and my hands became finger-tied. I researched through Google and Consumer Reports, but came up empty. Even the big computer magazines don’t have much of a comparison of keyboard / mouse combos.

I also use rechargeable batteries in the mouse. Funny, I use regular batteries for the keyboard and it lasts for months, but not for the mouse.

So I went to Lockergnome readers for input. I asked if they have had a good experience with a combo that also has a ergo mouse? Or a bad one that I absolutely should avoid? I’ve gathered a few opinions so now I am publishing them so others who are searching for quality cordless desktops have something to help make a decision.

I’ve been using Logitech’s keyboard and mouse set. Not sure what model as the back of all three accessories don’t indicate it. I’ve used it for a long time and have been happy with it. The only thing I didn’t like was the plastic wrist rest. I’d like to replace it with a softer one.

I am not much into customizing the buttons. So it’s not an important feature. A scrolling wheel is a must. If I can’t get an ergo mouse, that’s OK.

Read on for reader responses…

Paul (not my husband) writes:

You couldn’t GIVE me a mouse after using a trackball. The only things I have to move are my fingers, not my wrist, arm, etc. I agree that a scroll wheel is a big advantage and the Logitech TrackMan Wheel that I have moves the ball to the thumb in order to provide it. I’m not just as accurate with my thumb, though. However, there are other trackballs that provide the best of both worlds — a middle button option to pop-up a scroller onscreen.

But mice vs trackballs? Fageddaboudit!

And wired, not wireless…

Nikolas says:

I to use the Logitech Cordless Mx Duo and I love it.. I’ve had it for almost 3 yrs and no problems at all ..it also beats out all the other brands by far…I love it

From Joan:

I haven’t used a wireless keyboard and now use my laptop most of the time, but I am a mouse hater and love touchpads and use an Adesso keyboard with built in touchpad on my desktop. I see they are coming out with a wireless version but also have wireless keyboards with mice. Here are their products.

Ed writes:

Stick to your (the most simple) Logitech keyboard and rechargeble mouse. Works fine with me.

Ricardo says:

Logitech is the best, I used genius and some other brands, all have disadvantages. Logitech may not be the beautifull one, sure, but it runs smootly for years, I used both ball and optical mouse, and it is perfect. The only problem is with batteries as the optical mouse needs a replacement every one to two months, ball mouse about every year. If it doesn’t bug you, then go with Logitech.

Uncle Bob (not my New York uncle) advises:

I’m using a Logitech combo unit, have two as a matter of fact. I, too, thought my keyboard was dying only to discover that the location of the sending/receiving unit was the problem.

The main unit, which is located maybe 24 inches above the mouse and
keyboard, will stop working by being one inch or more back from its normal location. Apparently line of sight is a big thing.

The second unit, which is located on a portable work bench next to my desk seems to work when it wants to. But by moving it maybe an inch in any direction all is well. This unit will work five or six feet from the base as long as it is in line of sight.

Hope that helps. Both are Logitech mx700 sets. And the keyboards lose
the signal before the mouse on both.

I did try moving the base closer. It still won’t play nice.

John shares a lot of great information:

I can appreciate the quandary you’re in. We just don’t think about keyboard and mice until they don’t work or cause problems. Personally I just don’t care for wireless keyboards or mice, but then there are times that I boot my computer with an old DOS boot disk, too, because I want access to true DOS and not the newer version of virtual DOS in newer OSes like Win 2K or XP.

Over the years I’ve tried many keyboards thinking, “Heck a keyboard is a keyboard, right?” Not so. Those $10 keyboards last about a year or less until keys start sticking or getting stiff. The spendier keyboard like IBM are better, but their design is limited as are the features. Now we have the more spendier ones like Logitech which I didn’t care for.

I bit the bullet and tried a keyboard from the Evil Empire in Redmond. I love it so much that I bought a second one to take to work where I did tech support and did a lot of typing while I was talking. These things are just about bulletproof and there are no software conflicts like with some other brands. I use the no longer available Internet Keyboard Pro and probably will until either me or it die.

Microsoft Digital Media Pro keyboard

…I recommend this highly. It’s got programmable buttons but you can ignore them. The keyboard is just one rugged, good feeling piece of equipment and it looks good with its modern black color scheme. The durability of Microsoft’s keyboard is tops in my book as I’ve put ‘em through years of hard use because I’m more of a hunt-and-pecker than a typist.

My MS keyboard has survived several years of smoke and slops especially at work where it’s a open environment with three shifts of people using that keyboard 24/7 we can’t smoke, but I’ve gotten baloney out from between the keys at times. Dependable and good feeling is all I can say about the better MS keyboards.

I can’t offer very much input regarding mice though other than the same software issues for non MS mice as I use a Microsoft four button Intellimouse Trackball Explorer and I know you’re not a button person and a trackball is a highly personal preference thing. The best thing I can offer there is play with the mice in the store. I recommend the optical type without the ball, again preferably Microsoft.

What usually fails on cheaper mice are the microswitches for the buttons that might require repeated clicking to get them to work or the real killer where you get a double click instead of a single click, that’s something that really drives me nuts and kills productivity big time. The key is to find a mouse you like the feel of in your hand as you work with it and how easy it is to operate the buttons without looking. A good pointing device should be almost intuitive take a look at…

The basic Microsoft® IntelliMouse® 3.0 or The more advanced Microsoft® Wheel Mouse Optical 1.1.

I think the feel, dependability and longevity of these products will be what you need and make your life easier. Hopefully my suggestions help pave the way for you to improve your computing experience and minimize problems.

Got a comment? Still open for opinions, but not for comment spam.