How To Use Manic Mouse

Manic Mouse is a device for playing a practical joke. It is designed to fit discretely in-line with the cable from a PS/2 mouse, and is small enough to be hidden away and not attract attention. When enabled it subtly alters the behaviour of its victim's mouse. This is, needless to say, extremely irritating for the victim.

Manic Mouse will make its victim think their mouse needs cleaning, or that their machine is infected by a virus. But whatever they do will not cure the problem. Manic Mouse can't be detected by any anti-virus software as it is external to the computer. However no permanent harm comes to the victim's machine.

Manic Mouse has 5 levels of operation. The higher the level the more extreme the disruption. The pushbutton increments the level which is indicated by 1 to 5 flashes of the light.

The disruption level is saved when the PC is powered down. Initially level 1 is active (no disruption).

level 1 - no disruption, mouse behaves normally.
level 2 - periodically the mouse sticks.
level 3 - periodically the mouse sticks, or its movement is reversed.
level 4 - periodically the movement is magnified, or is confined to only a part of the screen.
level 5 - periodically the mouse overshoots, or the right button appears to press itself.

The duration of the disruption and the frequency of its occurrence both increase with level.

Note Manic Mouse supports both standard 2-button PS/2 mice and the Microsoft Intellimouse, and is compatible with Windows 98 upwards. It is not guaranteed to work with mice which use proprietary non-standard extensions to the PS/2 protocols (such as Logitech mice).