--- Forwarded Message from Mark Sanford <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Mon, 25 Mar 2002 19:50:02 -0500
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum               <[log in to unmask]>
>From: Mark Sanford <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #6577.1 Keyboard trays a good thing??(!)
>In-Reply-To: <[log in to unmask]>

Indeed:

The non-tilting, turning, or changing of height models meet with my 
personal approval in those instances where the desktop area is at a real 
premium. If the tray is strong and stable.

The pull-out trays installed in one of our classrooms were custom made (and 
I'm told were expensive). We get to keep the mouse on them, right beside 
the keyboard. Their simplicity of design (and industrial-strength ball 
bearing slide rails) produce a reasonably sturdy platform upon which you 
may type with wrists resting comfortably.  You must still refrain from 
performing your gymnastics handstand on one, however.  Now the desktop 
space in this classroom/lab is available for books and note pads.  We even 
have the monitors recessed under a thick glass desktop so it's ALL available.

In those cases - like in my office - where I've got enough desktop area, I 
still prefer to have the keyboard on the desk, with the mouse beside it.

Best Regards!

Mark

John Mark Sanford
Senior Multimedia Technician
Center for Language Study
Yale University
Tel. (203) 432-0588
Fax. (203) 432-4485
[log in to unmask]
http://www.cls.yale.edu






  like the classrooms of yesteryear.
we've been getting used to for the past nine months
At 05:50 PM 3/25/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello,
>We have one 20-station lab with trays and one 10 station lab w/o 
>trays.  The stations with trays are, in my opinion, nicer.  The rooms 
>often double as "normal" classrooms and in that case, we need as much free 
>desk space as possible.  Additionally, although we theoretically allow no 
>food or drink in the labs, we do have the occasional soda spill.  In those 
>instances, the keyboards hidden in the trays
>are less vulnerable.  However, I've received no feedback whatsoever from 
>the students regarding either style.  One problem we have run into is lack 
>of uniformity of keyboard shapes over time.  Although we began with all of 
>them the same, as keyboards were replaced (by our IT division, who 
>maitains the equipment), occasionally we'd get one with a curved top or 
>bottom that wouldn't fit neatly into the
>trays.  If you're in charge of your own equipment ordering, then this 
>likely won't be an issue. Our trays are strictly pull-out drawers and the 
>mouse is up on the top of the desk (some people don't like not having the 
>mouse immediately to the side of the keyboard).... no tilting, turning, or 
>changing of height.
>My 2 cents,
>Carine
>