WebJunction

Here in Bozeman we have headphones at our Adult internet stations and I haven't had to replace any in at least a year. Children's game and itnernet computers are another story, of course. I am constantly replacing broken sets - not too many disappear, although it has happened. I just order 10 - 15 inexpensive (under $6, usually) sets at a time. Brand name isn't an issue, but I try to find those that don't have huge long cords - they are constantly tangled!

Have fun at ALA!

Returning to an old post, does anyone have a way to clean headphones? Do you do so on any schedule or just as needed? We have a few regular patrons who are "hygienically challenged" and I sometimes worry about what can be transmitted via headphones.

Welcome to Webjunction and the Hardware Forum, Agometz! I would normally welcome people sooner, but I was also in and out due to vacation.

I hope you enjoy your visits here and if any of us can help, just ask!

Wendell

We attach the headphones permanently to the computer by looping the cord in through a hole in the back of the PC and using a cable tie inside the case. That's because if we secure them to the outside of the case, people cut the zip ties (or even burn them off if they don't have a cutting tool).

We were advised by the Gates people to use baby wipes to clean the pads, as alcohol can dry them out (if they live that long). After 14 months, we have about half of our original 44 headsets left. They usually get broken in the Children's room or people steal the pads. When those are gone, we'll probably stop providing them but allow patrons to bring in their own or purchase cheap ones at the desk.

Recently, I purchased from CDW 1, 24 pack of Labtech 835 headphones to replace the sets that were snapping like so many stale breadsticks from the local red and white checked Pasteria. The cost with freight came to $390.00. As you probably already know the headphones are no longer covered by the Gates warranty since Labtech went bankrupt and the new company decided not to honor and previous agreements.

I have been encouraged to fine "cheaper" sets but the problem I have had is finding cheaper headsets with a volume control.

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So.. if anyone has information as to where these may be had I'd be very grateful for the information.

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Keeping them clean:

After speaking to folks in Sam Ashes and the like I decide that best thing to do was to look at things like baby wipes. My thinking was, if you can wipe a baby's bottom with it then it is probably safe for someone?s ears. Ultimately, I went with "Wet Ones, Antibacterial Moist Towelettes?. They come 40 wipes to a carton and I was able to purchase them from drugstore.com @ 2.59 a carton. Since I am outfitting 10 branches I bought 100 per order.

Headphone security:

I looked at this problem from every angle form ID to PC locks. I didn't like the ID solution (unfair, unreliable) and various PC locking devices were impracticable and easily compromised. So I decided to invent my own security using plastic tie (sp?) locks. Electricians and police secure wires to wrists using them. Essentially, I connect the headphones to the PC and then taking up the slack - using "figure eight" loops - I layer the headphone wire onto the wires connecting the monitor to the PC and power source. The loops length is about 5" long when finished. Using 3 ties I then secure both ends and the middle of the headphone wire to the monitor cables and pull very tightly. It works very well. And as we know if someone wants to steal something they will find away to do it but removing the ties is a real task that requires enough focus and determination that any unauthorized attempt to do so would draw unwanted attention. You can get them in black and when the headphones are secured you can snip the excess. They are available at hardware stores and cost a few dollars for about a hundred or more.

Hope this helps. Paul

good to see you getting around, paul!

and thanks to every one who has weighed in on this. are we ready to write the WJ article about "public access headphones" now? Any volunteers?

Paul, let us know if we can help oil any of those squeaky wheels as they come up! Thanks for the thanks; it's good to know you're still with us...

We were replacing with the newer model LabTec headphones but they contantly broke. We have recently switched to Telex Explorer headphones (they remind us of the headphones from language labs in college). The volume control for these is a knob on one earpiece and if the headphones short out, a replacement cord can be purchased. The other selling point to us was that they have a 2 year warrenty.

Every night at closing we wipe down the headphone with a phone cleaning wipe. We opted for this over just standard alcohol for its germ killing powers and comes in a convienent wipe. Our headphones stay attached to the machines - 1 per machine.