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For Doreen....to Do With What She Shall {others may read}
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For Doreen....to Do With What She Shall {others may read} |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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MOUSE BALLS I don't know how they wrote this with a straight face. This apparently was a real memo sent at a computer company to its employees in all seriousness... It went to all field engineers about a computer peripheral problem. The author of this memo was quite serious. The engineers rolled on the floor! (Especially note last sentence) Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit). Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel. Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop-off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist-off method. Mouse balls are not usually static-sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately. It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction. Any customer missing his balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items. < !signature--> Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ [This message has been edited by Sunshine (edited 10-03-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
ROFL! I don't know how they kept a straight face either, especially with that last line! |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
As someone on the computer a great deal, I'm very fussy about the precision of my mouse. As someone who cleans his desk only when I can't find something, my mouse tends to get dirtier than most. As a result, it is not at all unusual for me to replace my mouse every two or three months. About eight or nine years ago, for no particular reason, I started gutting each dead mouse and tossing the ball into a large jar. I now have quite a collection. But it's not something I offer to show to everyone, you understand.  |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
Not to take away from the humor of this, but Ron, have you considered buying an optical/explorer mouse? I used to replace my mouse about every three months (no jar though, sorry). But the new ones use an optical sensor, which of course doesn't wear down like a mouse ball. Added to that, you have two extra buttons, which are configurable. I configured the one on the left for a "double-click," and the one on the right is now a "back" button for my browsers!  Just a suggestion. |
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Poet deVine
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-26
Posts 22612Hurricane Alley |
Not to detract from the joke, but I got a lot of useful info from this. I like to take those balls out and roll them around in my hand inside a cleaning cloth..keeps them performing better. And Ron, may I suggest you be more careful with yours? Seems you're pretty hard on your balls.  |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
ummm... well, i don't know exactly why you've directed this to me, karilea, but it was fun to read... lol... so thanks! and, btw, Macintosh now has an "optical" mouse which uses a laser sensor so you don't have those dirty mouse ball problems.  don't have one yet, but i will soon |
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Kit McCallum
Administrator
Member Laureate
since 2000-04-30
Posts 14774Ontario, Canada |
ROFL!  Good memo Karilea! And Ron, I tend to agree with you that it would not be wise to have your ... "those" on public display either! LOL! [This message has been edited by Kit McCallum (edited 10-03-2000).] |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
I "test drove" one of the optical devices when they first came out, but didn't like the feel. The first ones were substantially taller than a regular mouse and it felt awkward to me. Like I said, I'm pretty fussy, especially when I'm working on graphics. About a week ago, though, I was in town and noticed they now have a second version that is only marginally taller and felt much better. I think I could get used to the slight difference. Unfortunately, there was a pretty long line and I didn't have much time. Next trip, I think. And, Sharon, I am indeed hard on them. But, hey, I put a lot of mileage on them over the years. On the flip side, I have two keyboards that I've managed to maintain for close to eight years. They're identical, both fully programmable with double sets of function keys, and I don't know how I could survive without them. Any repetitive task becomes much easier when it can be assigned to a single key press. When one keyboard gets too dirty I submerge it in the bathtub overnight, run water through it several times, then let it dry out while I use the other. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I'm very attached to my little mouse... He's got a large red anterior one instead of the more typical bottom sider type... It's much easier to maneuver when I don't have to work from the elbow to the wrist... All it takes is a little precision finger dexterity (directly manipulating the ball) to keep it on the roll.... |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
Ron... you're kidding???? really?? you submerge the keyboard in water? wow! i thought there were electonic components in the keyboard and it would be necessary to keep it totally dry .... tell me more, please!! How does this not effect the function of the keyboard? thanks! |
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
I'm with you Doreen, the same thing I was going to ask. Unless it's a waterproof keyboard? |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Nan, I tried a trackball several years ago, but just couldn't develop the precision I felt I needed. I'm sure that was just my own lack of patience. Doreen, Becky - yes, the keyboard has electronic components, but there is nothing intrinsically wrong with washing chips and relays. When I started in this business the keyboard and computer were pretty much the same (like the earlier Macs, Doreen) and you sure didn't throw away the computer just 'cause it got dirty. The trick is to make very, very, very sure everything has plenty of time to dry. Water is a conductor and even a drop or two will short out the circuitry. I've fried one or two keyboards by being impatient (even used a hair dryer once, trying to "hurry" the process). While it depends on surrounding conditions (like humidity), trial and error over the years has proven it takes a minimum of three days to completely dry a keyboard. By having two keyboards, that's a non-issue for me. The just-cleaned keyboard typically has several months to dry before I rotate again. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Hey folks, to follow up on what Ron has posted, I also know that those machines with sonic waves that clean blinds are used to clean keyboards...and they have a drying process as well. Look into it! and Doreen, this was posted for you b/c of the frustrations you've had with the techno-side of computers...all in jest... and just look at the conversation it sparked! Gotta love it! Karilea When you want to be loved, look within...KRJ |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
Um... Ron... A hairdryer?...  |
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Ron
Administrator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-05-19
Posts 8669Michigan, US |
Hairdryers often work well for things like that, Nan. When I'm painting, more so in acrylics than oil, I frequently use a hairdryer to cut the drying time a bit. Shoot, when you're a bit taller than your hair, you have to find some reason to use a hairdryer. |
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doreen peri Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812Virginia |
thanks for the tip, Ron... i just may get myself a spare keyboard and try this... it's always good to have one in the wings.. |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
The only thing you have to be careful of, is rust! Now with a keyboard, you really don't have that issue, as most of the parts are rust resistant. But keep that in mind for other electronic components! And please make sure that whatever electronics you're "cleaning" don't have a battery in them... or *pzzzzzt* it's gone! (I had the luxury of electronics training, so thankfully I never lost any keyboards...LOL) |
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