--- Forwarded Message from "Yannick Roy" <[log in to unmask]> ---

>From: "Yannick Roy" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: "LLTI-Editor" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: RE: #6577 Keyboard trays a good thing??
>Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 10:35:32 -0500
>In-Reply-To: 
>Importance: Normal

Hello

Here at Université de Montréal, last year, we built our new facility (120
stations over 4 labs) with keyboard trays. We had some problems with the
purchasing office because trays are not part of the university standard. Our
main argument was to give as much desk space as possible considering that
almost all of lab activities is done with a lab book and note book.

The main concern is always the durability of the trays. Since I've started
as a lab coordinator I have built 2 facilities (on here and one at McGill
university) both facility had trays and I don't recall any problem of
durability. The only problem we got in both cases where installation defect.
But they where fixed.

The main thing for trays, I think, is to pay the price for good industrial
strength one. Witch was over 100 can$

Good luck

Yannick Roy
Technologue de l'éducation
Coordonnateur des laboratoires de langues
DGTIC
Université de Montréal
514-343-6111 poste 5308

-----Message d'origine-----
De : LLTI-Editor [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Envoyé : 19 mars, 2002 08:09
Objet : #6577 Keyboard trays a good thing??

--- Forwarded Message from "David Westerhof-Shultz" <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Wed, 13 Mar 2002 15:14:35 -0500
>From: "David Westerhof-Shultz" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Keyboard trays a good thing??

------------------
I am in the final stages of purchasing a new 65-70 position language lab. In
getting down to making all the nitty-gritty decisions, I'm stumped--please
don't laugh : ) at whether or not including keyboard trays at each student
position is a good thing! Any thoughts??? Our existing lab has never
utilized them, previously...

Personally, I'm not a big fan of them, myself. They usually feel rather
"clunky," and I can never get comfortable behind one. Maybe I've never spent
enough time with one to get used to it. However, as we all know, the
workstation's precious space is quickly gobbled up by the technology (CPUs,
monitors, cassette decks, VCRs, keyboards, mice, etc.), leaving very little
room for workbooks or notebooks.

With this in mind, most (approx. 50) of my student positions will ONLY have
a monitor, keyboard and mouse on the actual worksurface (if I choose NOT to
have keyboard trays). But even so, I know that all remaining space is a
prized commodity.

I'd be curious to hear from any of you, your preferences and experiences
using keyboard trays in your own labs.

Many thanks in advance,

David Westerhof-Shultz
Director, Language Resource Center
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI