A screen protector

What is it?

A screen protector is a sheet of thin, transparent plastic that is placed over the screen of your pocket computer. Its purpose is to protect the screen from scratches and other dangers.

Why should I use one?

If you happen to scratch your pocket computer, then the cheap plastic gets the scratch instead of the expensive screen. If you accidentally use a ballpoint pen instead of the stylus, the plastic gets dirty but the screen is still safe. The screen is only just sticky enough to stay attached to your screen, so if anything happens to the screen, it's very easy to peel off and put a new one in its place.

How do I use it?

You don't really use it; it's just there, nearly invisible on your computer. Use your pocket computer like you always did, except now you don't have to worry about scratches and such. You can use practically anything as a stylus.

How do I attach it?

This is the big secret behind a good screen protector! If you are very careful when you attach it, then it will be practically invisible. There are two things that should not be between the screen and the protector: dust and air bubbles. IF you can avoid this, then it will be practically invisible! Read all of this before you start.

First of all, if the screen protector is not already the right size for your screen, then carefully measure the size that you need and then cut the sheet using a sharp pointed knife and a metal ruler. Do not remove the paper from the adhesive sheet yet.

Now clean the screen with a soft, moist cloth, so that there is no dust, light dirt, or fingerprints left. Do not use a detergent! Detergents may damage the screen because it is made of plastic, not glass.

Work in a place where there is as little dust as possible. Your laundry room would be the worst choice. This is important because even after you cleaned the screen, new dust will settle while you work.

Once you're satisfied that there is no dust, remove the paper from one end of the screen protector. Don't remove all of it. You now have a sheet that's only sticky in one end. Now carefully attach one corner of that end to your screen and make sure it's completely parallel with the screen. When it's parallel, slide your finger along the end of the sheet, so that the whole end of the sheet is attached to the screen.

Now comes the tricky part: you must avoid trapping any air bubbles under the sheet! Here's how: slide a finger along the center of the sheet while you remove the paper from the sticky side. Don't push the sheet down on the screen except for that center line. It will only stick lightly to the screen until you press down on it. If you can see now that the sheet is not completely parallel, then this is your last chance to pull it off and realign it.

Once you have the center line of the sheet attached to the screen, you can avoid air bubbles by pressing the sheet down from the center and outwards, toward the edges of the sheet. Do this slowly. If any bubbles do get trapped, gently press the bubbles toward the nearest edge.

You now have the sheet lightly attached to the entire screen. The screen is not as clearly visible now; this is because the sheet still doesn't stick very much to the screen. This is useful for getting rid of any remaining bubbles: use your stulys or a soft nib to press the sheet properly onto the screen. Start from the center and work your way to the edges. You will see that the sheet becomes completely transparent when you do this.

Once you're all done, there might still be some really small bubbles left. Don't worry about these for now: over the next 2-3 days, they will magically disappear! (Actually the plastic sheet isn't completely airtight, so the adhesiveness of the sheet will slowly push out the last bit of air.)

How do I remove it?

Lift up one corner of the screen protector. If you can't lift it, try using a needle or the point of a sharp knife carefully so as not to scratch the screen. When you have hold of a corner, slowly pull the sheet away from the screen in a straight angle. Don't pull too hard; if you do, you risk damaging the plastic of the screen itself. Pull slowly, giving the adhesive time to let go of the screen.

Once the sheet is all off, use a soft, moist cloth to wipe down the screen. Do not use a detergent! Detergents may damage the screen. Now there should not be any traces left.