Hi listfriends, when I am off I can hardly use the mouse. If the ball and the axes get dirty the mouse is almost not willing to do what I want it to do. To get the mouse exactly on the right spot is a source of stress and frustration. It seems that a PWP attracks dirt, anyway I do, because my mouse is filthy in no time. I bought several (cheap) mouses in the past two years. But there is light at the end of the (mouse)tunnel !! The Intellimouse optical is a mouse that works without a ball. It is a mouse that uses light instead of a ball. It has a cord. I have been using it for several weeks now and I am very pleased with it. It is probably for sale everywhere, but I bought mine at Best Buy for $39.95. Warn greetings to you all:) Kees