Who would pay one-hunded fifty dollars for a mouse??

I get emails from Dell, and the other day I got one advertising a mouse for $149. Here is the description taken from www.Dell.com:

Overview
Explore your new media universe with a state-of-the-art mouse that’s effortless to use—on your desk or in the air. On your desk, advanced laser technology gives you precise tracking and instant response. In the air, innovative Freespace™ motion sensing transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Sit back and listen to music, browse photos, or surf the Web—from your desk or across the room. The MX Air™ mouse is the perfect complement to your PC-based entertainment experience.

Highlights

• Laser performance: On your desk, enjoy laser-precise tracking and instant response
• Freespace motion sensing: In the air, use MX Air™ to browse and play your favorite media. The sensor transforms hand motions into natural, responsive cursor controls. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist
• Scroll panel: Experience hyper-fast scrolling at the touch of a finger—on your desk or in the air
• Gesture controls: Control playback and volume with hand motions. Adjust volume by waving to the right or left; skip tracks with a flip of the wrist
• Li-ion battery: Recharges faster, lasts longer
  2.4 GHz wireless: An operating range of 30 feet lets you navigate media from anywhere in the room

It sounds kinda cool, but certainly not for $150 (although it is on sale for $126.65 right now). Plus I would never use all those features. Actually, when I'm using a laptop (which is all I use at home), I just stick with the touch pad that's on the machine.

About this "laser-precise tracking and instant response ," I think an optical mouse is pretty damn precise. Actually I've never had a a problem with the accuracy or response time of ball mice. The only problem I have with them is that you have to clean the ball all the time. There is one "special" feature that when I use a mouse, i really like to have. That is the wheel because it makes scrolling so much easier. I'd be perfectly (and am) satisfied with a two-button optical mouse with wheel that costs about $15.00.

As I was looking for the information on the $149 mouse to write this blog, I came across a few others that are close to $100, and they weren't even wireless. Apparently, they're great for gamers.

Bad Timing

You probably don't know this, but I technically work for a promotion agency. I say "technically" because I haven't actually done any work for them in over a year; infact, it might be two. The reasons for this are because I have a real job, the work has been over an hour away, and at the ass-crack of dawn. Translation: it wasn't worth it.


This week, I got three opportunities by email. All three were within 30 minutes from my house, $14-15/hr and only 10-3. This is what I'd consider worth it. Unfortunately, I could not accept any of the jobs. The first two were during the week, and third one (which was on a Saturday) was only for dog-lovers. Not that I have a problem with dogs, but I don't like them enough to try and feed ones I don't know for five hours. GRRRR!