[98396] in RedHat Linux List
Re: two part Q
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Ramon Gandia)
Sun Nov 8 21:30:20 1998
Date: Sun, 08 Nov 1998 17:18:25 -0900
From: Ramon Gandia <rfg@nook.net>
To: redhat-list@redhat.com
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
Brett Jones wrote:
>
> 1. does the RH 5.2 upgrade just compare rpm database on the hdd to the
> available rpms on the cd, to decide what to replace?
Beats me.
> 2. I've picked up a old but cheap Compaq 4/25 laptop. It's running RH
> 5.0 very well, but the keyboard is very sticky. Anyone have any tips for
> cleaning the keyboard, or making the keys smoother?
You can buy a spray can of cleaner for $9.95 + shipping. You
then remove each sticky keycap with a puller (usually a piece
of wire looped under the keycap, then pull). Spray the key,
work the mechanism to make sure its free now, replace the
keycalp. You need to do this a key at a time or you will
never get the keys in the right place again. ;-)
After you break a keycap, you will then go out and buy a new
keyboard for $9.95 to 29.95 plus shipping.
Cost is about the same. I suggest you get a new keyboard and
put the old one to the side. Best place to buy a keyboard is
at your local Computer store. You avoid the shipping charge, so
it probably costs the same in the end; you get to drink a Malted
Shake locally, and lastly you get to TRY out the FEEL of the
keyboard before you buy it.
Pay close attention to several things when buying a new keyboard.
If you are a fast typist, like me, these nuances are important.
If you are hunt and peck, then it matters a lot less.
(1) Check the size and location of the ENTER or RETURN key. In
particular check the ASDF keybaord row. Mine has a bar shaped
return key, and the row goes ASDFGHJKL;' and then ENTER key.
(2) Check the placement and location of the ESC key.
(3) Check the placement and location of the vertical bar | key.
(4) Check the placement and location of the / and \ keys.
(5) Check the bottom key row, ZXCVB etc row. Immediately to
the left of the Z key I have the SHIFT key. Some keyboards
put a key in between here.
There are a few other nuances, but those are the major ones. I
have had to discard keybords here that were weird. Now, all my
keyboards are essentially the same. For instance, IBM and HP
seem to have very similar keyboards and I can sprint-type on
either. IBM is clickety clack, and the HP is silent. IBM is
very stiff, HP is very gentle. I like the clickety clack, but
I do not like the stiffness. Still, its a reliable keyboard
and has been with me for years.
(6) Look into the physical size of the keyboard. The majority
of them have the normal keys, then the arrow keys, finally the
numeric keypad on the right. The IBM I have here does NOT have
a numeric keypad, and is much more compact. However, the
rest of it is full size, so it is not cramped at all. Unless you
are an accountant or bookeeper entering lists of numbers, it is
most likely you will not use the keypad at all.
--
Ramon Gandia ==== Sysadmin ==== Nook Net ==== http://www.nook.net
285 West First Avenue rfg@nook.net
P.O. Box 970 tel. 907-443-7575
Nome, Alaska 99762-0970 ======================= fax. 907-443-2487
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