Bill Myers - January 20, 2012

Are your products and productions not looking as good as they should? Maybe the problem is not with you, but with the tools you are using. Here's an example of that

I recently noticed I was seeing a lot more typos in my writing. Characters that I knew I had typed, just weren't showing up.

Being an avid viewer of the medical TV show 'House', I was sure I had become afflicted with a rare medical condition affecting my typing hands or my mind - or both.

Then I remembered I'd been using the same computer keyboard for more than seven years. Each time I bought a new computer, I'd toss the new keyboard that came with the computer, and hook up my old keyboard instead.

The old keyboard was better built than the new ones, was a bit larger, and just felt right to me.

But as I examined the old keyboard I could see signs of years and years of use. Dirt, dust, cat hair and crumbs filled the crevices between the keys.

During testing I discovered several keys took extra pressure to make them work. And during speed typing, these keys would randomly drop a letter.

This led me to a revelation.

I didn't have some mystery disease. What I had was a keyboard that was worn out.

And instead of needing a medical cure, all I needed was a new keyboard.

I searched eBay for the same make and model of my old keyboard (a Dell Sk-8125), found a new one in the box for $12.00, and had it shipped to me.

Since installing it, I've seen a major reduction in typing errors. Sure, I still get a few spelling errors, but those I can't blame on the keyboard.

Lesson learned: Sometimes the problem isn't your fault. It's the fault of the equipment you are using.

If old or outdated equipment is causing you to look bad or fail, update it with something that works.