mouse balls

One could also install a PS/2 or USB port card into the PC.

My $.02

LoL! I did not even expect what someone in USA having the same troubles with missing balls as we're having now. :D (I'm co-owner of biggest computer college in Odessa).
Fortunately,we have enough faulty mouses laying around to pull those balls out of them. :D
And hows about mouse pads? ;)

[quote]Originally posted by Sowulo:
<strong>...and Logitech optical mice can be had for $12 these days....</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, i just got one of these, they 0wn.

sometimes you can hamper their stealing efforts by putting clear tape on the edges of the ball opening (not over the opening, that is another trick :D )
what really sucks is when they take the ball and the cover.

You might try putting a coupl screws in the cover to prevent it from happening again.

BTW all the optical mice I've seen are USB, so you would need a USB/PS2 AND a PS2/Serial adapter for each. And I have doubts that would work.

[quote]Originally posted by *MAYHEM*:
<strong>BTW all the optical mice I've seen are USB, so you would need a USB/PS2 AND a PS2/Serial adapter for each. And I have doubts that would work.</strong><hr></blockquote>

All the logitech opticals I've seen come with the USB/PS2 adapter. BTW, they're down to $9.97 at the major stores...