With what seems like a million new accessories on the market to improve the ergonomics of your computer desk, or to help keep your computer workstation more organized, or to simply make your computer mobile and more versatile, how do you know which ones are junk and which ones are worth buying? Well… that depends completely on you.

Lame answer? Were you expecting a personalized list of important accessories that will be worth their expense? Sorry. That’s not possible. Like the upgrades available on vehicles, some are valuable and used every day, making the driving experience more enjoyable, and some are added only to realize you could have lived without them just as easy. Some people rely daily on their GPS systems, some find them to be a colossal waste of money. Some folks pay extra to have splash guards, others would prefer to spend that money on car washes. Like a car, adding the right accessories to a computer desk depends largely on who will be sitting at the desk.

Let’s start with a basic accessory: the keyboard tray or arm. Do you need it? Yes. Why? Because ergonomics are important. The most likely way to injure yourself while sitting at a computer table (yes, injuries are possible) is by using a keyboard tray in a way that’s not ergonomic or comfortable to your body. Overuse injuries in the wrists and hands can lead to the development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, a painful condition in the wrist and arms that limits mobility, reduces the amount of weight a person can lift, and can evolve into permanent disability. A keyboard tray slides in and out, allowing you to hide it under the desktop while a keyboard arm adjusts for height and tilt, so that the user can position it correctly (the correct position is a slight tilt, with the entire keyboard slightly below the bend of the elbow). Arms are better than trays. This is the accessory you need, even if you only sit at your computer desk a short time each day.

Next, LCD monitor arms. These are accessories that allow you to mount the flat panel monitors to the wall, to the back of the desk, to the shelf above the desk—basically anywhere you want, to keep the monitor from sitting right in the middle of your desktop, wasting useful work space. Do you need one? Maybe. How do you know if you do? You probably will appreciate a monitor arm if one or both of these conditions apply to you: (1) You find your desk is always cluttered and you could really use more space to organize paperwork, write notes, or could use the space for something else you like to have at your fingertips such as reference books, staplers, a radio, etc; (2) You find that light changes throughout the day cause a glare on your screen. LCD arms tilt and move, so you can easily slide the monitor over a bit rather than spend half the afternoon squinting one eye.

Third, CPU holders. These are shelf-like things that keep your CPU (that big thing that sits by your feet) off the floor and connected to the desk. Do you need one? Maybe. How do you know if you do? You will enjoy having a CPU holder if: (1) You find yourself kicking the CPU (which can damage it) or getting your feet tangled among the mess of cables that come out of the back; (2) Your desk is located in a place where CPUs are hard to secure and can be easily stolen, like in cubicles as opposed to offices; (3) You have a computer workstation on casters and like to, at times, move the desk keeping everything together in one unit without unplugging and making multiple trips; (4) You’re a clean freak and would love to be able to vacuum under the CPU.

As you sit at your computer desk, think about the things that annoy you, and chances are there’s probably an accessory to fix that. If so, that’s the one that’s right for you.

A kit-based approach to selling epoxy floor coatings is now being used to target both industrial and home users. These all-in-one kits have been developed with the recognition that people want to buy solutions not products. This outcome-based concept ensures that all of the goals for the floor are met and that all of the required tools are available during the installation. To compensate for lack of training and for the inevitable unexpected questions and problems, a complimentary 24/7 help line is provided along with the kit so applicators can be assured of staying on track.

The process of obtaining a custom-built kit starts with filling out a web-based, free cost analysis form. The floor’s condition, the owner’s preferences, and the desired outcome are factored in by an automated computer system. From that point, field technicians prepare a recommended kit of materials and step-by-step instructions tailored to take the project from beginning to end.

This “kit” approach stands in contrast to the alternative of shopping at local retail stores for supplies which, if they can be found, often don’t match the needs of the project. When a handle for a roller frame is needed, should it be 4 ft., 5 ft., or 6 ft. in length? Should it have a metal or wood thread? Should it have a 1-inch diameter or 1-¼ inch diameter? If a 60-grit sanding screen for a 17-inch rotary scrubber is required, where can it be purchased? The custom kit concept allows the decades of professional experience of the supplier to be applied to the project so that every tool is precisely matched to getting each specific task completed efficiently and painlessly. Experts replace the untrained and inexperienced store clerks.

By marketing “kits,” floor coating suppliers are helping fuel the trend of moving away from bare concrete and wood surfaces toward lower cost, lower maintenance, and healthier floor finishes. Biohazards, mildew, dust mites, spoors, and other contaminants are a serious concern to industry and homeowners alike. In this new millennium, warehouses, food processors, manufacturing facilities, even garages, and basements are being sealed with hard surfaces using industry-proven materials and techniques adopted in the past decade.

Chemically resistant, these seamless floors are made of epoxy and urethane, finishes that flow on and then, by changing their chemistry, become resistant to dirt and stains. Flow-coated surfaces are impervious to water and are often used inside liquid storage tanks, swimming pools, and feed troughs. Unlike tile, these surfaces have no grout to clean and are not glued down with latex- or petroleum-based adhesives. Flow-coated surfaces are great adhesives in themselves. With good preparation, flow-coated surfaces are applied permanently, refinished easily, and require little or no maintenance.

For photo examples and more detail, visit www.concrete-floor-coatings.com
For more information, contact Harvey Chichester at harvey@concrete-floor-coatings.com
Phone: 800-466-8910 or 952-888-1488 (24/7)

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