Have you ever had one of those days when things at work are hectic and the last thing you need is someone to bug you for trivial things? I usually have a high tolerance for these kind of things, but not the other day.

A user had been having “problems” with her computer. It seemed like we had to go help her with something at least once a day. Finally, after dealing with some real issues with her Dell Opitplex GX270 computer, I told one of the guys to just replace her computer with a brand new unit, a Dell Optiplex 745.

We updated the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, all new and much better than her old computer. The following day, she was having “issues” with the mouse. I adjusted her mouse properties to slow the click rate and movement speed. All was well.

The follow day, another technician went to help her with her mouse that was acting “erratically”. She was having problems with the 5-button mouse, so we replaced the mouse with a 3-button mouse. When the technician returned, he reported that the 3-button mouse works well, but she said that she would like a wireless mouse.

I just about blew a gasget. After all the help and new equipment we had given her, it was like there was no appreciation. Although we do not have or use wireless mice, I knew I needed to come up with a solution. I immediately took action and made a wireless mouse.

Here is how I did it.

Take a mouse, it can be USB or serial, it doesn’t matter.

From the mouse, move up the wire about 2 inches and mark that spot.

Take a pair of wire cutters and cut the wire at the mark.

You now have a wireless mouse. The two inches of wire serves as an antenna.

I gave the new mouse to the technician so he could install it for the user, but he never installed the new mouse.

The “wireless” mouse served as a tension breaker during a busy and stressful day. So go ahead and make a wireless mouse and leave it on your desk, it’ll bring a smile to all who see it.

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