Here’s a great way to avoid computer-related static shocks in the office or at home: build grounding right into your desk!

In my old office—full of carpeting—I’d always shock people whenever I’d casually (or maybe not) tap the shoulders of my more attractive office mates (the female ones of course). Not to mention myself whenever my hand met some metal. In fact, I resigned myself to an automatic grounding ceremony of sorts. That involved gingerly touching the metal frame of my old cubicle after standing up to take breaks from my laptop.

Luckily, fellow shockaholic anonymous Rob Severson found a way to build grounding into his desk, which would automatically activate even before he’d touch his laptop/desktop keyboard. It involved peeling the conductive strip of a 3M anti-static strap, and securing it on the front edge of a desk with some double-sided tape. The copper end of the strip was then hooked up to a grounding wire neatly tucked away. Easy as pie, so long as you have the patience to carry it out. Full details here.

(Image courtesy of Rob Severson)