Anti-static chairmats - do they work?

[ctmagnus]

It's been rather staticky here lately and I tend to worry about my electronic friends. In a recent Staples flyer, there's an anti-static chairmat listed (Rubbermaid, Staples # 392826-Z3 (http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=,&webid=392826&affixedcode=Z3)). Do these actually disperse static electricity, reducing the chance that something will get zapped, or is my money better spent elsewhere?

[butch]

Wow! I don't know if that work, but that not cheap!

You should check if get more "electrified" when wearing a particular pair of shoes... I think if wear shoes that don't let the current go when walking it build in you.

[jmarctic]

While anti-static mats do work (I've used them) what works as well or better is a humidifier. I've found that when it gets colder, the humidity drops to 20% and less and there's a lot of static between me and my gadgets, lamps, and the dog! Keeping the humidity at more than 30% seems to take care of it and the humidifier covers a lot more territory (like 3 rooms if centrally located) than a mat. I've been running mine for over a month now but I live a bit farther north. Also good for your sinuses.

These work really well: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006C7HL/qid=1101005748/sr=8-3/ref=pd_ka_3/002-8063231-9636054?v=glance&s=home-garden&n=507846

If you get it, order some spare wicks as well since they also serve as air filters.

[Darius Wey]

I'm sitting here with my laptop on a wooden chair, wearing a singlet, shorts and I'm bare-foot. It's too hot here to be wearing anything that will induce static electricity. ;)

[sylvangale]

Looks like anti-static mats are a geeky luxury.

Froogle Results for Antistatic mats, sorted by $$$ low to high:
http://froogle.google.com/froogle?hl=en&lr=&tab=wf&q=antistatic+mat&scoring=p&sa=N

[maximus]

hm ... i usually use my dirty laundry on the floor before messing up with the inside of my PCs :)