<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> Mitch: We have been buying Disklaviers with technology money.  Otherwise you have to ask how long a well-maintained accoustic piano will last compared to an electronic keyboard.  Universities don't always think long term, but I still think the accoustic option is preferable and will give longer service.  But I'm prejudiced.  Does anyone know the life expectancy of a decent electronic keyboard?  Are they like computers--every 5 years buy a new one to get all the new upgrades and updated bells and whistles? Richard West University of Nebraska Mitch Staples wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style> This afternoon I was asked by the director of the school of music what I thought of the idea of havingelectronic pianos in the classrooms rather than acoustic.  They figure that this way they could usesome of the mounds of money slated for technology i. e. computers to buy pianos.  My reply was quitepredictably that I thought it was a bad idea. I would like some input: 1.  Does anyone have experience with electronic pianos in classrooms?  Are they working out? 2.  I would like to hear some opinions. What do you see as the pros and cons?  Thanks, Mitch StaplesOhio State University</blockquote> </body> </html>