Several people have mentioned the problems of keeping your
mice balls clean.  I used to have that problem too.  But when I was
visiting the USA last year, I found the most beautiful mouse pad,
made to look like a miniature Persian carpet, complete with fringe
at both ends.  The micro-fibre surface means that I have not had to
clean my mouse ball ever since.

Check out

        http://www.mouserug.com/

I bought mine at the Isabella Stewart Granger Museum in Boston, and
then found another one at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.  They are
not cheap (US$19 to $22) but are a pleasure to use, and I rather like the
contrast of a 16th century Persian design being used with 20th century
technology.

FWIW,
Ron Burnett
[log in to unmask]