Mat Bowles

No, I'm not talking about the rather sensible proposals to encourage easier keyboard shortcuts and improve the UI for common applications by dumping the mouse as the main tool for controlling them.

I'm talking about my mouse, the one I'm using on my PC right now. I've had it since I bought my first PC, in Titan with paulatpingu, back in 2002. Because the PC itself was reconditioned bargain basement (because Paul quite rightly wanted to be able to use his own PC more), I bought some more expensive peripherals to go with it. The printer was a mistake (I think I've printed 5 sheets total, maybe 10?) and the ink has dried out, but the mouse, with its programmable thumb buttons, drivers that aren't compatible with XP (in a BAD way-- that was my first Windows reinstall on this machine then) and ergonomic--fits nicely in my palm--sculpted shape goodness has been an absolute trooper and a great purchase.

But the left button is only working intermittently as of last night, it's a bit filth encrusted, I can't find a driver update for it so the thumb buttons don't work and, well, I need a new one. So, oh mighty LJ brain trust, what sort of pointing device do you use, what do you like/dislike about it, and what options should I look further into?

(and no, we don't have a peripherals manufacturer in our Preferred Vendors list at work, so I can't get anything cheap there...)