fixing stuff

[Phil_S]

I just wanted to tell someone who'd appreciate it. I've been using a wireless mouse and keyboard with my laptop for years. I gave up desktop computers at least 10 years ago, maybe more, as they don't suit my needs.

Lately, the mouse has been wonky, not responding to the regular left click. I know the computer is OK because the clicker on the computer is fine. I've been looking to replace the mouse, but it is part of a mouse+keyboard set that operates with one transmitter ;-(

The light bulb went on this morning. Dust is the enemy, probably 10 years of dust. I unscrewed the mouse (just one screw), removed the cover, blew out the dust, and voila! Just like new!

This is the sort of small victory in the world of disposable electronics that makes me feel good. It was much quicker than a trip to the store and more satisfying!

[vibratoking]

Just wanted to mention. If you are using a wireless optical mouse then you have most likely been using an IC that I designed. Logitech? Yup. It's a good product if I do say so myself. They mostly use Omron switches with a 10k click lifetime.

[eniam rognab]

Logitech optical mouse here, Thanks VK! this thing is great, had mine forever.

[Phil_S]

Wowza! I like Logitech products. Unfortunately, the market for this stuff is very competitive and as a consumer, I'll typically buy anything that isn't brand X. Whatever was on sale that day was what I bought. It happens to be the Microsoft product. BTW, it works fine but it will not be my first choice when I finally need a replacement. I know it's old. Both the shift key and the left click key are worn down shiny.

I may have jumped the gun on my glee. The clicking is very much improved, but still misses some. The mouse uses a momentary switch. I am thinking maybe the switch itself has seen its rated lifetime of clicks.

What I have is old technology. Next time around, I'll probably go for Bluetooth, though something else may yet take it's place by the time I get around to it. (or a round tuit http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/round_tuit )

[Teleguy61]

Yup! Logitech optical mouse and wireless keyboard here, with my laptop.
They work. Period.
Good product.

[xtian]

Thanks for the mouse work, VK! I use Logitech optical mouse M510 and wireless, SOLAR POWERED! keyboard K750. Awesome stuff.

It's funny, many people prefer old, IBM style clacky keys. Not me. I have much preferred the short-throw laptop style keys since they were invented.

Like Phil, I remember "repairing" my first mouse when it started to misbehave. The rollers had an uneven, thin band of rubber, which I took for something that belonged there, to help grip the ball. NO! It was just hand jam, and didn't belong there at all.

[Bob S]

A clean mouse is a happy mouse.
Haven't used a desktop in years - thankfully laptops are now available with more 'horsepower'. I despise touchpads & the earlier nipple (I forget what they called it) on laptops.
Thanks to VK for a contribution that makes life easier.

[Phil_S]

...nipple (I forget what they called it) on laptops.

Joystick? The little red or green thing in the midst of the keyboard? Lenovo puts them on the Thinkpad. It is one of the reasons I stick with that brand. I am actually comfortable using it! Mouse is better, thought.

BTW, at the moment, the mouse is doing better but I expect it will get worse again.

[drew]

The Thinkpad trackpoint is indispensable, as far as I'm concerned.

Vibroking, is there some way to hotrod the Logitech? I have one of their cordless keyboard/cordless optical mouse sets that must be 10 years old now that I use with my HTPC; it's been quite durable but the range has always been kind of marginal except on totally fresh batteries. If I could do something to make it transmit just a couple of feet farther it would actually help. Some secret DIP switch, or experimental firmware, or weird combination of keystrokes that will bring up a hidden service menu? Run the thing on a stack of 38 hearing aid batteries? Install ex-Soviet Bloc paper-in-oil transmitter that has to be ordered from Bulgarian Ebay? Anything?

[Bob S]

I used to use Logitech wireless keyboards & mice on machine vision systems.
The short range is a benefit when there are 2 systems close to each other.
Use hardwired now & nail em down - peeps steal the wireless ones.

[Reeltarded]

hahaha

I like having control of most television sets on my phone. I never leave the volume up or Oprah, Dr. Oz.. ect playing shit with people's money and health. I normally change to the spanish networks to piss everyone off. I want full machine control.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

A word about bluetooth wireless keyboard / mouse: When I bought my Mac Mini back in 2009, I ordered it with Apple's bluetooth keyboard and mouse. At the time, I was using a Plantronics bluetooth earpiece with my Blackberry phone. This combination was useless: the interference from keyboard clicks and mouse movements and clicks blocked the audio to my earpiece. I wound up returning the keyboard and mouse to Apple, and have continued to use a Logitech USB keyboard and a Logitech wireless mouse (which apparently does not use blurtooth as I am not having any issues with it). Just a heads up, and certainly, these issues may have been resolved since 2009.

[Leo_Gnardo]

normally change to the spanish networks to piss everyone off. I want full machine control.

HA! That's good, I'd dial 'em to Asian-language programming and maybe Al-Jazeera just for fun.

xtian, I know what ya mean about those 'mini felt washers' that keep popping up inside the mouse. First I thought, WTF, these are falling apart, where do I get a replacement? The replacements, they make themselves. Just give it time...

Joystick? In the middle of the keyboard? Got a word for that - might not be suitable for prime time so I'll leave it to yez' imagination.

v-king, it's terrific you were involved in the wireless mouse. However I'm still stoked on my Logitech wired rollerball mouse. It's the cat's pajamas! Now I'm looking for another, for a different computer rig. No can find. Will I have to scruff around Goodwill and Salvation Army? At the stores, they act like I just stepped out of a UFO when I ask. "huh what, never hoid of such a t'ing..."

[Phil_S]

Joystick? In the middle of the keyboard? Got a word for that...

LOL, This is a classic example of one person's trash is another's treasure. I think those trackpads on laptops are the incarnation of the devil himself. I don't like them and never have. Worse when you graze them with the heel of your hand. People must like them because they are standard issue on laptops. I turn off the trackpad on my Lenovo. (BTW, Mac trackpad excepted...appears to work quite well.) I've been happy with the joystick for probably 20 years or more. I know I'm in the minority or they'd be standard on every laptop. I even had a heavy duty IBM brand keyboard for a desktop computer for quite some time that had the joystick. There's no accounting for taste (or personal preference.)

Leo, I think you might really appreciate this irony. I like to run that joystick with my middle finger!

BTW, I just ordered at substantial discount from MSRP the Logitech MK520, open box at Best Buy, with free shipping! Don't have to go into the crazy store this time of year and it comes direct to my door!

[Leo_Gnardo]

Leo, I think you might really appreciate this irony. I like to run that joystick with my middle finger!

Naah, to make that dyna mo humm, you're supposed to use your thumb "to apply rotation to the sugar plum" so sez: