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The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard, a silicon-based flexible computer keyboard, features a unique combination of durability and soft, comfortable feel.

The letters wore off my keycaps years ago, but the keyboard is still going strong.

http://www.grandtec.com/products/video/vik.html#vik

not an issue since you can get a VIC for like $24 (so you don't buy Madden Soccer 2010 or DeathSquad 14 and get some proper equipment instead) (and mice are cheap also)

Maybe an indestructible keyboard would suffice?
I bought one myself a few years ago. You have to change your style of writing a bit, as the button presses are harder than with a regular keyboard, but in return you get a keyboard that is virtually indestructible, and can withstand being dumped in water for a wash/sterilization process.

I bought mine from http://store.grandtec.com/virinkey.html , but you might also want to search eBay or similar places.

Good luck finding a solution,
Rune

Just about anything plastic-safe could be used such as a Lysol cleaner or diluted Dial liquid soap, but keep in mind that if you're the only one using it, you can't get sick from the same Influenza virus twice. Even if you get the Flu twice in a season, it's 2 strains that infected you. I'd only be concerned about the actual contact surfaces (KB, touchpad, mouse), and if you've got too much of the OCD, I'd suggest looking into something like the Virtually Indestructible Keyboard with integrated Mousing Stick. It is completely submersible in disinfecting solution up to the point that the cord joins the keyboard. Then I'd wrap the laptop in saran wrap except for the cooling vents. A little overboard, but probably effective.

This was a great find for me, because cleaning a standard keyboard with all the crevices under and around the keys is a total pain and would take me 15 minutes to do with a little vacuum and a damp cloth. If you happen to have allergies or maybe have an immune system deficiency, these simplify the process of protecting yourself quite a bit.

My keyboard may be dirty, yet---- I rarely get sick.

I'm a nerd. I sit here all day. Other than the 'yuck' factor, what's the problem? We live in a bacteria infested world, they outnumber us millions to one.

For those who _insist_ on a clean keyboard, stop fussing around with your damn "pry the keys off the keyboard". Either buy a plastic membrane that you can soak in disinfectant, or get a keyboard you can soak.

Like this one: http://www.grandtec.com/vik.htm

It's $40.00. I can't stand people whinning. Either sack up, and understand that keyboard (as well as Earth) are dirty, or spend the $40.00 and do it the easy way.

Stop bitching about, "I had to pry EACH and EVERY one of the keys OFF my keyboard! Heaven help me!"

I think they missed one important dot on that diagram.

Why stop there? How about all those other milestones in human innovation, such as the USB-powered personal massager? How did we every live without that one?

As far as typing without looking at the keys, I've had my Virtually Indestructable Keyboard for going on 4 years now. I've never had any issues with it, and as a side effect of the letters being painted on the rubber coating, over time all my letter keys have been worn blank. The F1-12 keys, and various other seldom used keys are fine, but all the letters, most puncuation, and most of my numpad is blank. All for only 40$ when I bought it (they're cheaper now) and I never have to worry about damaging it with food/drink near the computer.

All in all, I'd say this keyboard is an expensive toy for people to make themselves feel better, than an actual useful tool.

The way to get a sterile keyboard is to use a flat membrane keyboard encased in silicone: they are easy to wipe down. In some cases, you can remove the silicone and sterilize it separately. In a pinch, you can put a wireless keyboard (flat membrane or regular) in a plastic bag.

Another choice is keyboards like these. You can disinfect those with alcohol, although they still have lots of places for bugs to hide. But they may be a reasonable compromise in some environments.

Unplug it & wash it in the sink!

After reading the article, I was prompted to hunt up a link, and found this...

It glows!

Unplug it & wash it in the sink!

After reading the article, I was prompted to hunt up a link, and found this...

It glows!

While this does not exactly match the provided specs, it might be worth a look:

Wireless VGA [grandtec.com]

One thing to note -- It's a Class A device. So there are certain FCC requirements you must meet.

Cheers

Why not just get a "virtually indestructable keyboard"?

Forgive me if you considered this option, but the link below may be the solution you seek:

Wireless VGA

Just one problem, though - It's a Class A device. That means the FCC could come after you just for being in possession of one at your residence.

Me surmises that this may help you develop some hardware hacking ideas of your own.

Perhaps you should give ZoneMinder a second try? For $99 you can buy a 4 port capture card from X-Guard. Then all you need are some high res CCD cameras that can be had for roughly $60 a pop from ebay stores. (This price includes shipping) The cheaper ones come from Hong Kong, but are still extremely high quality... look for Sony manufactured CCD cameras. And the software is.... well free.

So for $280, you can have a 4 port capture card, 3 Sony color CCD cameras, and all the software you're gonna need for a full-fledged security system!

ZoneMinder does have all the features you just mentioned, plus infinite day retention of files, but can user configured of course. And their web interface is ultra-slick.

Hopefully silicone compounds don't affect you or release any volatiles:

About a year ago, picked up a pair of keyboards at the local CompUSA. Called "Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" (VIK), they're a soft, flexible, silicone keyboard that can be rolled up for storage / transport. URL printed on keyboard is http://www.grandtec.com/.

Bought one "full-size", one shorty (no separate keypad / cursor sections). Handy, but very different tactile sensation ( no click, just a smush). Not good if you're a "hard" typist.

They're washable as well (completely sealed, just use soap & water).

I've spilled Orange Juice, Milk, Soda (coke, mtn. dew, italian sodas (coconut, vanilla, and raspberry,)) rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and quite a lot of water onto my keyboard. (not all at once. It worked. Fine. No need to even dry the thing out (except to avoid sticky fingers.) Keys don't stick. No problems. I've also dropped a 21' CRT on the thing.
Of course, I'm using one of these. (the first one.)

I have installed several Mac Based Home Theater Computers for clients. Typically I just use a PowerBook G4 as the main interface and maybe a a Roku Media Player.

Usually I just use a gyration mouse and keyboard - they make these in Bluetooth now.

In the past I have used one of the Grandtec MiniVic Flexible Keyboards it coutour fits really nicely to most arms on leather chairs and kind of looks like a built in.

Take into account there are several USB 1.1 / 2.0 Hubs that are wireless.

I also get my clients to use their T616 bluetooth phones and a program called Romeo (there's another called Salling Clicker) - it allows a VERY CLEAN interface for naigation (use as a mouse) and control of MANY apps visually. It's like having a mouse that has an LCD on it.

I realize you were joking there, but there really are USB vibrators and USB "personal massagers."

Use a Virtually Indestructible Keyboard which is just about the coolest thing on the planet. I've been using one at home (and, on the road--its a treat in cars/trucks where coffee can spill 'cause its 99.999% waterproof/coffeeproof) and I've never looked back. the only thing it doesn't do good is gaming. the keys are too mushy, and sometimes they stick for just a microsecond too long, and you end up doing a sidestep when you wanted to do a spin-move... but I digress. its almost silent. there's no plastic keys to 'click' and the contacts inside are a thin plastic which makes almost no sound at all when the keys are pressed. there's a very soft 'thoop' when the silicone is pressed, but you'd be hard pressed to have that make more noise than the fans inside the computer. (more on that later.)

And for the mouse... well, a touchpad comes to mind. yes, using keyboard 'shortcuts' (the keyboard came before the mouse, remember? There not 'shortcuts' there the original way you did those things.) is a better answer, especially with the quieter keyboard... but sometimes its just easier to use a mouse.

The ultimate solution would be a eye-tracking, headmounted unit where you'd just have to look at the icon/button/text and it would be clicked/pushed/selected... Or a Datajack and a Deck... but that's a few years off, yet... or not, if the /. community really put their collective beans together. ;)

After having read all of the comments up to this point I'd have to say that the "Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" looks like the best option so far. Keyboards have to have feedback; either in a physical push, or a click sound. Since the whole point of this discussion is on ways to eliminate the click sound, the physical push is paramount. You said that this specific virtually silent keyboard solves the problems with others of its type being too mushy. Can you be more specific on how it has physical feedback where others fail?

There are several membrane only keyboards on the market but most are too mushy. the "Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" from Grandtec has semi-solid key tops so you know when you have pessed the key far enough unlike others on the mrket that have keycaps as mushy as the sides of the keys. Radio Shack and Best Buy have carried then in their stores so take a look. BTW this message was typed on their black USB verion.

There are several membrane only keyboards on the market but most are too mushy. the "Virtually Indestructible Keyboard" from Grandtec has semi-solid key tops so you know when you have pessed the key far enough unlike others on the mrket that have keycaps as mushy as the sides of the keys. Radio Shack and Best Buy have carried then in their stores so take a look. BTW this message was typed on their black USB verion.

Try this Grandtec keyboard. It's full size, mini available, rolls up into a small bundle, and easily stuffs into your notebook bag. I've traveled extensively with mine, and am quite happy with it (no association with co).

Another good site for small PC's is mini-itx.com. Fun stuff.

I think you'd be better off and pay a lot less money by getting one of these. CompUSA has them ($40-60). Silent and waterproof. And they are cushioned and springy--not as nice as a real keyboard but acceptable.

Try the Virtually Indestructible Keyboard. The advertising is a bit overblown, but my kids played tug-o-war with mine while I was in my morning coma and it survived. Didn't even get any stretch marks... I think if one of them had been pulling on the cord it would have ripped out, but the keyboard itself is very tough.

Oh, and it is definitely soup-proof... hot soup at that.

The virtually indestructible keyboard is super thin, can be mounted with thumbtacks, is water- and cookie-batter-proof (unless you place your thumbtacks poorly) and almost, as the name explys, indestructible.

I just spilled wonton soup on mine and it's still typing fine!

My kids played tug-o-war with it the first day I had it... still works, though admittedly the kids are all under 50 pounds US.

And, your wife can use it to open those tough pickle jar lids, too. No, I'm not kidding.

The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard caught my eye last week. Basically its a sealed silicon mat with raised keys, you can fold it/roll it/douse it/etc. An interesting option for wearables.

It's nice and silent, but I've been using it for over a week and haven't been able to get up to speed. Main gripes: the keys require too much pressure, and they seem spaced too far apart. Someone else may be interested, though.

I used a MS keyboard for years, nice, I guess, but all it did was screw me up when I went to other keyboards.
now all I use is a Virtually Indestructible Keyboard I got at radioshack. It works and I don't have to worry about toting it to lan parties or even spiling a soda on it.
Convenience over Ergo for me

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You can submerse one of these completely, should make it very easy to disinfect. I have one just because it folds nicely into a very small space, great for travel. Key response is only ok, but the size is much better than many laptop keyboards.

has anyone tried one?

there's also some whack ass keyboards up in here

Here it is from the manufacturer. The Virtually Indestructible Keyboard

The Nearly Indestructible Keyboard would work well here, I'd think. I know it's not wireless, but it's a start...