3/30    Optical mice. Good? Bad? Just a fad?
        \_ gr8.  Logitech is coming out with a wireless optical one that
           lasts 3 months on batt.  it could suck, but i wanna hear about it.
        \_ good.  how would they be bad?
           \_ if you're a super 7331 G@M3|2 it's possible the optical sampling
                                \_ my girlfriend is an 7331 DiabloII G@|\/|3R
              rate isn't as good as regular mice, or could be less deterministic
              when you make quick sweeps, again mostly sampling rate issue.
              another thing is, without the ball, the mouse could be too light
              which could make it more susceptible to the cord moving it etc.
              the wireless one sounds supa fly ill sick phat dope.
                \_ the wireless I used had very poor tracking, though it
                   was from a previous generation.  -tom
              \_ Actually optical mice are great for games. I have an Apple
                 mouse and I recommend it highly over the regular kind.
                 I used to have a Logitech mouse which constantly got crap
                 in it which screwed up my aim. I could never clean it completely
                 and the surface got crapped up too.
                 \_ bleah.  I dislike the apple optical mouse for games... with
                    the whole thing one big button, I found it too easy to
                    hit accidentally.
                        \_ Remind me not to be on your team in team games.  I
                           don't want to get shot in the back when you meant to
                           jump or switch weapons.  :)
        \_ Optical mice are nothing special.  Wireless means replacing the
           batteries.  Wired means no battery replacements but you still have
           to deal with having "just the right surface" for it.  If you work
           in an ideal environment, sure.  If your desk looks like my floor
           when I was in 3rd grade, stick to trackballs.
           \_ Uh.  What does wired/wireless have to do with the surface you
              use the mouse on?
                \_ Nothing.  I didn't say it did.  I was saying that wired
                   optical mouse have one less issue than wireless ones.  That
                   issue is the surface problem common to both.
        \- Optical mice can be really good, if you get the right one. Im using
           M$ optical, wired and its great (I know, we all hate M$, etc, etc, but
           their optical mouse is really good). Really good sampling and great
           resolution. I get much better precision than I used to using a ball
           mouse. You can use it w/o a mousepad, but with it, the results are
           better.
           \_ So why the hell didnt you buy the Logitech one for the same
              price? and format your message properly next time.
              \_ Logitech has an annoying habit of putting crap in your
                 'doze system tray that just won't go away.  Quite annoying.
                 \_ Young D0ze Jedi, you must increase your M$ Registry Fu!
                    \_ honestly, where can I find out info on cleaning
                       out my registry?
                 \_ Ijut. It's a STANDARD PS/2 (and USB) mouse! You dont
                    need to install any extra drivers/software!!!
                    \_ yeah, that's kind of like the drivers for the M$
                       mouse... 29 mb? how about 0 mb since I don't need
                       the stupid side buttons?
                 \_ won't go away?  uh, go your mouse properties and uncheck the
                    option about having an icon in the system tray.
        \_ I've got a Logitech USB optical mouse.  I've been pretty happy with
           it.  Works fine via USB, works fine with PS/2 adapter (included).
           I've used it on a bunch of different surfaces, and have yet to use
           it with a mouse pad.  Fine for first person shooters. -dans