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geekhack Community => Input Devices => Topic started by: microsoft windows on Wed, 28 October 2009, 12:07:44

Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 28 October 2009, 12:07:44
Am I the only one on this forum who still uses one of these?
(http://www.cir.com/pc/msmouse/msmouse.jpg)
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 28 October 2009, 12:19:57
It's been a while since I've used a serial mouse.  I'm sure I've had one of those at some point, though.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 28 October 2009, 12:30:08
Quote from: microsoft windows;128809
Am I the only one on this forum who still uses one of these?

Which one do you like better?  The retail version that was glossy, or the OEM one with the matte finish.  I always liked the OEM version better because I felt I had a better grip on it (and it was much cheaper).  Until optical mice became all the rage, this was my favorite mouse.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 28 October 2009, 12:37:26
Hell, I even had the version of the OP's mouse with the scroll wheel.  That was the greatest.  I spent hours scrolling things.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 28 October 2009, 13:15:30
Quote from: webwit;128846
You pervert. Do you have an url of the things you were scrolling?

www.thehun.com (http://www.thehun.com).  The only link you need.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 28 October 2009, 14:44:58
Quote from: ripster;128811
Needs to be yellow (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-2-Button-Original-Serial-Mouse-C3KMS1-37964_W0QQitemZ280416085770QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMice?hash=item414a19e70a) for bragging rights.


I love how the guy says it "looks like new".
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 28 October 2009, 14:56:55
Quote from: ripster;128811
Needs to be yellow (http://cgi.ebay.com/Microsoft-2-Button-Original-Serial-Mouse-C3KMS1-37964_W0QQitemZ280416085770QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMice?hash=item414a19e70a) for bragging rights.

I forgot how big those RS-232 connectors were on those mice.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 28 October 2009, 15:47:39
Quote from: microsoft windows;128809
Am I the only one on this forum who still uses one of these?


I don't know about you guys, but I'm doing 300 baud over a squawker connected to an RS232 port.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 28 October 2009, 15:52:58
Quote from: hyperlinked;128905
I don't know about you guys, but I'm doing 300 baud over a squawker connected to an RS232 port.

Are you using a blue box, too?
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 28 October 2009, 19:51:45
Blue boxes stopped working ages ago in the US--I think in the 80s (when it was still The Bell System).

I have two 1990-91 era PS2 "serial" MS mouses like the one pictured in first post. No yellow for me; I protect them from direct sunlight. I love them enough that I clear-taped the button flap back over the switch when the plastic fatigued and broke away.

And BTW, I also have three USB "serial" mouses, but my only genuine DB9 serial port mouse is a blocky beast by IBM. pic maybe later if i get adventurous.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 29 October 2009, 07:58:17
Mine's gotten kind of yellow but I don't care. I'm afraid it just matches my other computer hardware better that way.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 29 October 2009, 08:48:55
I have not used serial mice (as in RS-232, not USB) on anything but PS/2-less antiques for years. Only the ex-486 with its AT board has the truly classic 3-button Logitech OEM.

So how's the shape on these old beasts? I always found the Intelli Optical to be somewhat too high in the middle, a flatter shape tends to work better for me. If these oldies were also made with a scroll wheel and don't clog up too quickly, they might actually be kinda interesting.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 29 October 2009, 08:56:17
Quote from: keyb_gr;129048
If these oldies were also made with a scroll wheel and don't clog up too quickly, they might actually be kinda interesting.

Not only did they make these guys with a scroll wheel, but towards the end, they even had optical sensors.  There's a thread in this forum (Pointing Devices) that has a picture of it.
Title: Anyone use a Microsoft Serial Mouse?
Post by: microsoft windows on Thu, 29 October 2009, 09:35:01
I have two versions of it:
1. The original serial one with two buttons
2. A PS/2 version with a scroll wheel

I find the original one to be better-built and more comfortable. Kind of like comparing a Model M to a 104-key Unicomp.