From: "Julian Thomas" Newsgroups: alt.folklore.suburban,alt.folklore.computers Subject: Re: IBM Mouse Balls Memo Date: 26 Feb 1998 09:52:49 -0800 Organization: epix Internet Services Lines: 17 Approved: snopes@snopes.com Message-ID: <34f59c49$1$wg$mr2ice@news.epix.net> References: <6d2eph$fve$13@nntp1.ba.best.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: shell5.ba.best.com X-Trace: 888515572 6044 snopes 206.184.139.132 Path: ccw.ch!aetna.dolphins.ch!news.planetc.com!leto.ou.edu!news.onenet.net!news.oru.edu!newsfeed.wli.net!feed2.news.erols.com!erols!news1.best.com!nntp1.ba.best.com!epix-news Dixie Lance said: >allegedly an internal memo from IBM and >went into great detail on the care of and replacement of mouse balls. Indeed. That memo was widely and *unofficially* circulated inside IBM a number of years ago. Inevitably there were escapes to the real world. -- Julian & Mary Jane Thomas jt@epix.net http://www.epix.net/~jt In the beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York State! -------------------------------------------------- ... File not found. Should I fake it? (Y/N) ###### From: David Ecale Newsgroups: alt.folklore.suburban,alt.folklore.computers Subject: Re: IBM Mouse Balls Memo Date: 26 Feb 1998 09:54:16 -0800 Organization: Cray Research a division of Silicon Graphics, Inc. Lines: 21 Approved: snopes@snopes.com Message-ID: <34F590DD.5929@sgi.com> References: <6d2eph$fve$13@nntp1.ba.best.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: shell5.ba.best.com X-Trace: 888515658 6097 snopes 206.184.139.132 Path: ccw.ch!aetna.dolphins.ch!news.planetc.com!leto.ou.edu!news.onenet.net!news.oru.edu!newsfeed.wli.net!feed2.news.erols.com!erols!news1.best.com!nntp1.ba.best.com!not-for-mail Dixie Lance wrote: > Recently on the G. Gordon Liddy show, Mr. Liddy read a "memo" that had > been faxed to him. The memo was allegedly an internal memo from IBM and > went into great detail on the care of and replacement of mouse balls. > While it was admittedly hysterical, it smacked of Urban Myth to me. Has > anyone heard or seen this one? The famous "Mouse Balls" memo was circulated at IBM ca. 1981. It has wafted through compuret lore ever since. As opposed to it being posted here, why don't you go to either: http://altivista.digital.com & enter "mouse balls" ... or http://www.lycos.com & enter mouse and balls Enjoy, -- David Ecale ecale@cray.com ###### From: user@interlog.com (Robyn) Newsgroups: alt.folklore.suburban,alt.folklore.computers Subject: Re: IBM Mouse Balls Memo Date: 26 Feb 1998 09:54:55 -0800 Organization: Interlog Internet Services Lines: 15 Approved: snopes@snopes.com Message-ID: <34f594a3.4498871@news.interlog.com> References: <6d2eph$fve$13@nntp1.ba.best.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: shell5.ba.best.com X-Trace: 888515697 6120 snopes 206.184.139.132 Path: ccw.ch!aetna.dolphins.ch!news.planetc.com!leto.ou.edu!news.onenet.net!news.oru.edu!newsfeed.wli.net!su-news-hub1.bbnplanet.com!news.bbnplanet.com!news1.best.com!nntp1.ba.best.com!not-for-mail Dixie Lance wrote: >Recently on the G. Gordon Liddy show, Mr. Liddy read a "memo" that had >been faxed to him. The memo was allegedly an internal memo from IBM and >went into great detail on the care of and replacement of mouse balls. >While it was admittedly hysterical, it smacked of Urban Myth to me. Has >anyone heard or seen this one? Yes. I've received it a few times over the past 5 years. I too strongly suspect it's a hoax, but it's a famously good joke and around these parts has entered the common lingo; sorry I can't turn up a copy for you at the moment! Robyn ###### From: mdecker@voicenet.com (Mark Decker) Newsgroups: alt.folklore.suburban,alt.folklore.computers Subject: Re: IBM Mouse Balls Memo Date: 26 Feb 1998 17:08:20 -0800 Lines: 23 Approved: snopes@snopes.com Message-ID: <34f6066a.75216214@netnews.voicenet.com> References: <6d2eph$fve$13@nntp1.ba.best.com> NNTP-Posting-Host: shell5.ba.best.com X-Trace: 888541702 14825 snopes 206.184.139.132 Path: ccw.ch!aetna.dolphins.ch!news.planetc.com!newsfeed.usit.net!nntp-out.monmouth.com!newspeer.monmouth.com!news.idt.net!news-peer-east.sprintlink.net!news-peer.sprintlink.net!news-backup-west.sprintlink.net!news-in-west.sprintlink.net!news.sprintlink.net!Sprint!204.156.128.20!news1.best.com!nntp1.ba.best.com!not-for-mail I believe this is the one you're talking about; -------------------------------------------------- "This is an actual alert to IBM Field Engineers that went out to all IBM Branch Offices. The person who wrote it was very serious." Abstract: Mouse Balls Available as FRU (Field Replacement Unit) Mouse balls are now available as FRU. Therefore, if a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may need a ball replacement. Because of the delicate nature of this procedure, replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly trained personnel. Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the pop-off method. Domestic balls are replaced using the twist-of method. Mouse balls are not usually static-sensitive. However, excessive handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball replacement, the mouse may be used immediately. It is recommended that each replacer have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum customer satisfaction, and that any customer missing his balls should suspect local personnel of removing these necessary items.