FIGURE B

The dreaded coffee test. Click picture for a larger image.

The cleaning process in quite simple; rinse off the bulk of the offending substance, wash with a mild detergent, and rinse again like in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Cleanup is as easy as washing your hands. Click picture for a larger image.

Shake out the excess water, and let it dry overnight. Make sure to keep the plug dry during the washing process.

It's as simple as that; and it works. In addition, the keys have just the right shape, feel, and pitch. It's impervious to coffee. And all of the multimedia and programmed buttons work properly.

As some of you may know, Windows 2000 really was not a multimedia workhorse. It was designed to be stable in the business world, not provide entertainment; that was why Windows XP was invented. I still insist on using Windows 2000 for my main machine and I've often had problems with the "extras" of multimedia keyboards working properly, but this wasn't the case with Unotron's Washable Keyboard. And I didn't even need to load any extra drivers for them to work.

I only wish the legs on the keyboard were a bit longer. I learned to type on an IBM Selectric typewriter, so I like a bit more of an angle to my keyboard.

Overall, I was very happy with Unotron's Washable USB keyboard, and at only $50, it's a great value. I give it 4 out of 5.

OUR RATING: 4 of 5

For more than 20 years, David Gewirtz, the author of Where Have All The Emails Gone? and The Flexible Enterprise has analyzed current, historical, and emerging issues relating to technology, competitiveness, and policy. David is the Editor-in-Chief of the ZATZ magazines, is the Cyberterrorism Advisor for the International Association for Counterterrorism and Security Professionals, and can be reached via email at david@zatz.com.