Making removable labels for HP Palmtop keyboards

I place label strips above the function keys, below the blue keys, and below and to the left and right of the screen to remind me of various built-in functions and third-party software features I use.

Here's how you can create removable labels to remind you of the dozens of special key combinations you use on your HP Palmtop:

  1. 1. Materials: Get some double-sided transparent tape, paper, PostIts for your labels, a metal-edged ruler, an Xacto knife and a fine-pointed pen. You'll also need a "self-healing" cutting board or another surface to cut on.

  2. 2. Create a layered label: Lay a strip of the double-sided tape down on the cutting board. Lay paper on top of the tape and the PostIt (just the sticky part) on top of the paper. Press the layers together.

  3. 3. Create the labels: Measure the areas on the Palmtop where you want to place the labels. Then use the Xacto knife and metal ruler to cut our your label (leaving them on the cutting board for now). Use an extremely fine point pen to write in the contents of your label. Don't touch the label until the ink is dry.

  4. 4. Place the label: Remove the waste from around the label. Use the Xacto knife to lift the entire layered label up from the cutting board. Place the label in position on your computer and press it down. You may want to place a piece of paper over the label when you press it down to avoid smudging.

If you want to change the label later, you only have to lift the top PostIt layer off and replace it with another PostIt layer. You could put the PostIt note directly on the computer (no double-sided tape, etc.) but you might not like the way it tends to curl up.

Chuck Decker

Rayton MO, USA