Hairy Balls (of mice)
58 messages in this thread
To All Cat lovers,
My balls are always hairy…er, uh, wait…seriously, I try to keep this
desk as neat a possible (yeah, right), but I'm always getting cat hair on
the ball of my mouse. Recently, it's been driving me nuts. D*mn mouse
pointer stops before it should, and so on. How does one address the issue
of cats and mice (besides cleaning the mouse every twenty seconds)?
Any good mouse pads or mice that might circumvent the problem?
Thanks in advance for any ideas,
Robb
(the not so cat oriented need not reply, sarcastically)
Actually, I'm using a regular CBM mouse and a cloth surfaced mat with no
cat hair build up at all. And I can SEE hair on the mouse pad (well, I
can see it on EVERYTHING, really) so I can't really explain your problem.
The mouse ball is not at all sticky, if that's a help.
-Karl
Karl,
I have the solution…
"Here kitty, kitty…" *click* BUZZZZZZZZ… ;-}
Seriously, I just sigh and take out cotton swabs and Everclear and clean once a
week. Cloth mousepad is a good idea though.
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
John,
D*mnit! I probably asked for that here kitty thing.
I've got several cloth pads. Nope. There must be more to my problem.
I've tried cleaning more than once a day and it doesn't alter the
situation.
Everclear? I haven't seen that for a while. Maybe I should use that
instead of beer <G>?
Robb
Robert,
LOL, now be careful Robb, a tablespoon is all that it takes and everything will
go swimmingly. Oh, if you're talking about using it for your mice. That is a
different story entirely! ;-}
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
LOL, to you too.
Robb
Hmmm…for some reason lately, it's just been really bad. I've used
different mice, different pads, stacks of pads, cloth and others. I clean
it off and it works for a few then that same stop. Dead in it's tracks.
I've had cats for years I don't know why it's happening know. The cat hair
is the only thing I notice when cleaning the mouse, but perhaps it's
something else. I don't see much cat hair on my pad(s) I shake the pad(s)
down a few times a session.
Thanks anyway,
Robb
As they say on Comedy Central, try a little cat filet on the barbeque, with a
little garlic… 🙂
John,
Come on, I'm serious here. This mouse thing is really a pain. Maybe my cat
is just getting extra fury the last several months or so.
That reminds me of a local radio station that does 'Twisted Tunes' kinda
like Wierd Al. They have one to the tune of "Cats in the Cradle'…
"There's a cat in the kettle at the Peking Moon, the place I eat every day
at noon.."
I don't think I'll ever be able to eat Chinese food again. That's the only
thing I think of every time I think of going to a Chinese restaurant. I
really used to like Chinese, too.
Robb
Go to a vegetarian Chinese restaurant.
"Mystery meat" is an excellent motivator for a more healthy and humane
diet. 🙂
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Add another vote to vegetarianism.
DJ
Dale,
There is no dog meat in Chinese food! Only the Koreans and the Vietnamese
enjoy it as a delicacy! Where's Spot? Spot! Here boy…
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
You haven't eaten at Commodore's cafeteria, have you? 🙂
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Dog? I would have thought they would serve Crow at C=.
// Commodore Amiga 3000
\X/ Cuising on Autopilot
Dale,
LOL, I didn't even know that Commodore even had a cafateria!
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
I can think of a few serious answers: get an air cleaner, keep the cat away
from the computer, clean the mouse regularly, keep the whole setup under a
cover or even mosquito netting.
I think you've got a problem with Weird Al, not the Chinese. Actually, I've
never heard of Chinese eating cats. Dogs, maybe, among peoples who live more
south of China. You know what they say: one man's fish is another man's
poisson.
I don't maybe I could set up an air cleaner to continually suck air away
from the mouse pad so that cat hair couldn't land on it? Keep the cat
away, yeah, right. I clean at least once a day, often more. I've never
tried mosquito netting.
Actually, my girlfriend claims that a chinese restaurant around here got
shut down twice for serving cat!
A fish is a fish, but a cat is not a chicken!
Robb
Serving cat as chicken, or serving cat to people who ordered cat? 🙂
My friends in Mexico used to say, when the street-corner taco stand has a sale,
lock up your dog. I dunno, they tasted OK to me. The tacos, that is.
Serving cat to people who ordered something else, I'm sure.
I never have tried one of those Taco stands in Mexico. Altough there is
this little out of the way place near Puerto Viarta…nah, I'm sure it was
beef.
Robb
I give up!
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
Well, she only claims that and she does tend to belive some pretty
outrageous things people tell her…
Robb
Robert,
You said and I quote, "Well, she only claims that and she does tend to belive
some pretty
outrageous things people tell her…"
Uh, huh. Is she a tabloid reader?
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
Robert,
OK, that does it! One bad Chinese restaurant and you swear off the cuisine
forever! If you ever get your b*tt to the Washington DC area, you and I are
gonna eat *GOOD* Chinese food! ;-} That oughta fix your wagon!
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
John,
OK, if I ever get my b*tt to DC I'll look you up! You asked for it! I'll
keep this on file.
If I do look you up sometime, I'll go to whatever Chinese restaurant you
want, if you are that durn sure!
It'd be awful hard but…
Robert,
You're on!
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
Optical mouse ie Boing or Alfa Data
…Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
I had problems with clogged mouse balls too until I got an optical
mouse… (GoldenImage Optical)
Bob Comer — AmigaDOS and OS/2, the only way to compute!
Cheyenne, Wyoming U.S.A.
Bob,
After all this feedback, thanks to everyone, I've called around and found
both the GoldenImage and the Boing mice available locally (30+ miles one
way). They do seem a bit pricey, but probably worth it. I may just hop in
the truck right now. I take it you like that GoldenImage?
Robb
Yep, I like it, but a bit hard to get comfortable with. I Boing is
probably better though.
Bob Comer — AmigaDOS and OS/2, the only way to compute!
Cheyenne, Wyoming U.S.A.
Bob,
Thanks for the input! I went out and bought a GoldenImage, right after I
sent you that message. I'm a happy camper! It will take some getting used
to. It moves way too acurrately.
The Boing probably is better, but at $40 more I thought I'd get this one.
They had another one there less expensive so, since you had a GoldeImage,
I chose the middle of the road.
This is great! No more mouse stoppage. I really love it. It's been a long
time since I've gone a whole day without some problems.
Robb
PS. Thanks again to everyone who suggested an optical mouse! In case you
can't tell I am excessively happy!
Your welcome!
You wont be sorry, I've had this mouse for about a year, and I haven't
even cleaned off my mouse pad yet!
Bob Comer — AmigaDOS and OS/2, the only way to compute!
Cheyenne, Wyoming U.S.A.
I love it! It seems like it's paid for itself in lack of frustration in
two days. If it lasts a year (I'd expect more) I'd feel it was a good
investment (sanity is priceless).
Thanks again,
Robb
I hope I'm sounding way too happy 'cause I am.
Robert:
I have a Boing mouse on my Amiga, and I too love optical mice. As a matter
of fact when I added a PC here I went out and bought a Mouse Systems
serial mouse for it. As Mouse Systems is the actual manufacturer of the
Boing as well I'm able to have the 2 mice share the same pad. If only I
was able to get a PC mouse from Mouse Systems that was of as high a
quality as the boing mouse is! Their PC stuff isn't nearly as nice as
their higher end stuff, and I believe the Boing mouse is basically the
same one as is used on Sun systems, although I think some of the wiring
has been changed to suit the Amiga, but I don't really know.
// -Mike Schiller
\X/ AMIGA! On AutoPilot in sunny Fort Lauderdale
Bob,
great! May you live in harmony. Now for the bad news. If you go to
use another computer that has a mechanical mouse, you're gonna hate it.
Too bad every machine doesn't have an optical mouse <g>.
The Four Seasons of Southern California:
Fire, Flood, Earthquake, and Riot.
Robert,
I bought a Boing about 3 years ago and really loved it, it is alittle
expensive and the bigger pads are outragous in price, but it is a very
high quality item. It crapped out on me about 6 months ago (the left
button microswitch went away) and I got an Alfa Data optical (3 button
like the Boing) while it is substatially less expensive (about $30), it
doesn't seem to be as sturdy, but the pad is bigger and has a border
around it, to remind you when you are about to run off it. For the money
right now I am satisfied with it.
…Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
Steve,
Thanks, I bought a GoldenImage. It was priced in between the Alfa Data and
the Boing so I thought it'd be a safe bet (and Bob Comer has one). I am
really happy with it. It works too good. Then again maybe I should've
saved a few more $ and gone with Alfa Data. Whatever, I just love not
having the sticking mouse pointer any more. It's worth it!
How long did you have that Boing before the switch broke?
Robb
Robb,
>>How long did you have that Boing before the switch broke?
About 3 years, 3 years of good abusive service I might add.
Good luck with the Golden Image, I looked at it to but when I called all
they had in stock was the Alfa Data, it pleases me so far.
…Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
Steve,
I think if this mouse lasts more than a year I'll feel it was worth it!
(He!! if this one broke tomorrow I'd go buy a Boing and wouldn't be too
po'd 'cause it's so much of a relief).
I guess I was lucky I had three to choose from.
Hard to believe that only a few days ago I hardly knew optical mice
existed…
Thanks,
Robb
Happy Solstice everyone!
Optical? I've seen them advertised, but I've never seen one in use. What's
the difference in the mechanism that might avoid picking up cat hair?
Don't opticals have balls? Of course maybe it's not just the cat hair I
pick off my balls. Maybe, I'll try an optical just to add to my stack of
mice. Anything is worth a shot. It's frustrating!
Thanks,
Robb
9 years, never a problem, until now.
Optical mice have no balls. They have a metal pad with a printed grid and
some kind of light sensors which detect movement over the grid.
GfxBase's Boing Mouse is a nice optical (the only optical?) for the Amiga.
—
Dale L. Larson, Intangible Assets Manufacturing
Dale,
Thanks for the explanation and the brand/product name. Optical sounds like
the answer! If there's one to be had locally I'm driving there today!
Robb
Dale,
Nope.. GoldenImage as makes an optical mouse for the Amiga.
Trent
One of the "Frozen Chosen"
Trent,
Yep, I got the GoldenImage. I'm real happy with it!
Alfa Data makes a less expensive one, too.
I hardly knew optical mice existed before this, but now I think even
people without hairy balls should get them. They're great!
Robb
Yeah they are great. I had problems with pointer stick as well (and I
donot have a cat to blame it on <g>), but as soon as I changed over to the
optical mouse I have not had one problem with it. Enjoy..
Trent
One of the "Frozen Chosen"
No cat? You seem to be in a minority around here! 🙂
Bob Comer — AmigaDOS and OS/2, the only way to compute!
Cheyenne, Wyoming U.S.A.
>>…"it's not just the cat hair I pick off my balls"…<<
ROFLOL!
I'm a sucker for gutter talk 🙂
Stephen Bailey
Sawyer & Bailey Film & Video – Chicago
Humidity… gotta be the humidity. Or your cat is going bald. I think mine is
because of the heat. Still can't find Spot anywhere.
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
The cat must have been going bald. I'm happy now with an optical.
Robb
Robert,
Last time I checked, my cat stopped shedding. Was a real hair factory there
for a while. Say, I wonder if there is a way to can do cat hair transplants to
humans! We'll make millions! ;-}
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
Robert,
Pick yourself up an optical mouse.. No moving parts, therefore no hairy
balls <g>..
Trent
One of the "Frozen Chosen"
Trent,
Ahh, no moving parts. Excellent. I'll grab the AmigaWorld and the phone
book and see what I turn up. Thanks!
Robb
Robert,
I've been using the Boing optical mouse for two or three years now, and I
love it. In high humidity situations it can 'drag' a bit on the special
mousepad, but that can be corrected by either cleaning the pad and felt
strips or turning on the air-conditioner. <g>
Michael,
Thanks for the input. I'm starting to think that with all the responses
about Boing mice I should have spent the extra dollars for it. I bought a
GoldenImage and I am very happy with it! The biggest Amiga store I know of
around here (over 30 miles from here, over 40 from work, and I work in
downtown Seattle!), had three options the other was the Alpha Data which
others have suggested.
Thanks again, opticals are great!
Robb
Robert,
by now you've received a lot of suggestions, but I'd highly suggest an
optical mouse. Given my cat's penchant for climbing up on the desk and
shedding, an optical mouse and a keyboard condom are the way to go if you
want to live in computing heaven. That or give the cat a shave, and they
generally seem to object to that procedure, although if it gets much
hotter here, Isis might volunteer for it <g>.
The Four Seasons of Southern California:
Fire, Flood, Earthquake, and Riot.
Brian,
Thanks! I thought about going with the cat shaving option, but knowing how
many scars I get from a bath decided it was out of the question<g>. Ser
Mau simply would not go for it!
I have gotten alot of helpful responses most dealing with opticals so I
found 3 and drove 30 miles to the place to get one. I was really getting
frustrated. I didn't think I'd get any real solutions, but this is it!
I want to try to get work to buy opticals now (fat chance) just because
they're so crisp to work with, even compared to my MS Mouse (or others
along the way) at work with no hair to get on your balls!
Robb
Robert,
Mau. I like that name. I guess if I thought it over I would have called my
cat Mao. Not a communist though. So, I decided to call him Attila.
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.
John,
Actually, Ser Mau comes from my 'limited' studies of ancient Egypt. Ser
means prince and Mau was thier word for cat. Pretty simple, but I like it.
Perhaps, with may cats demeanor, Atilla may have been more appropriate.
Robb
Robert,
Ah, yes. Thank you for the information. Yeah, unfortunately, Attila is on the
portly side as well. Sigh, he's getting old now. Now I think I'll call him
Big Buddha.
Regards,
John Chang
Technical Support Manager
Scala, Inc.