Mastodon/Fedi: The social network for people who have actually cleaned mouse balls 🖱️

[technicaladept@techhub.social]

@FlockOfCats There was a wry email about being circulated it back in the day -

Mouse balls are now available as FRU (FieldReplacement 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.

[mxk@hachyderm.io]

@FlockOfCats remember to replace your mouse ball regularly

[aestheticfemboy@retro-gaiden.com]

@FlockOfCats
Im kinda glad that's a thing of the past

[limneticvillains@mastodon.online]

@FlockOfCats This applies to most millennials too, especially if we were online before 2002 say- when the laser mice started really taking off. I was using Windows 95 in the mid 90s when I was far too young, that Minesweeper game was far too mature for me to be playing.

I liked the weight of those mouse balls, very satisfyingly heavy.

Virtua Cop 2 with a mouse was great, that I miss.

[xerge@mastodon.nl]

@FlockOfCats no actual mice were harmed during the cleaning procedure.

[sunflowerinrain@mastodon.online]

@zillion

I've cleaned a mouseball with expensive whisky, generously offered for the purpose by a Highlander at Hogmanay.

@FlockOfCats

[collappsar@fediverse-lite.com]

@FlockOfCats I used to clean my mouse ball and put a q tip around the inside of the mouse too.

[ovrim@wien.rocks]

@FlockOfCats ... and jumpered the serial card for correct Baud rate and I/O base address ...

[hmantegazzi@chilemasto.casa]

@RachelThornSub @wonka @Felila @FlockOfCats and to use that hard disk to store your OS and applications, it's surprisingly disappointing to find that your general storage hard disk which hasn't been defragged in years barely needs it!

[aanee@mastodon.online]

@FlockOfCats Well, you had to or that thing would stop mousing and balling.

[claudius@darmstadt.social]

RE: https://famichiki.jp/@FlockOfCats/117238876332947458

If you performed the depicted activity, make sure you schedule all the appropriate preventive medical examinations for your age.

[derek_diy@mastodon.ie]

@FlockOfCats

Gen X was still doing that too

[piiiepsbrummm@chaos.social]

@FlockOfCats My fitst computer mouse cost me 160 DM. To use it with Windows 3.0.

Today you get a much advanced device for that price.

[nerb@techhub.social]

@srfirehorseart @RachelThornSub @jamesrg @pussreboots @FlockOfCats

I had a Sinclair computer too here in the US. Came in multiple little bags . Was amazed when I finished soldering all the parts onto the PCB that it actually worked.

Quickly bought an old keyboard from a terminal and wired it in along with a repeating key circuit.

Never had a mouse hooked to it.

[endlessmason@hachyderm.io]

@FlockOfCats
(this post is about the manosphere)

[jackeric@beige.party]

@FlockOfCats ...I use trackballs, I clean the lint and gunk off the bearings daily, ...never occurred to me to wash the actual trackball in soapy water like that

[kawunngg@chaos.social]

@kev @FlockOfCats @Rhube
fidget toy of the past

[joannacanfixit@mastodon.social]

@FlockOfCats if you use a trackball, then you still have to do that once in a while!

[m0pwx@mastodon.radio]

@Felila @RachelThornSub @FlockOfCats watching the disk play tetris with the data and pray it worked after

almost as much fun as setting the interleave factor on old ST-506 hard disk interfaces

[stevefenton@mastodon.social]

@FlockOfCats