Posted by dickb/wi on 8/24/06 12:28pm
Msg #140584

OT Humor...IBM memo......

thought you might enjoy......

I don't know how they wrote this with a straight face. This was a
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>real memo sent out by IBM to its employees in all seriousness. It
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>went to all field engineers about a computer peripheral problem. The
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>author of this memo was quite genuine. The engineers rolled on the
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>floor! Especially note the last couple of sentences.
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>If a mouse fails to operate or should it perform erratically, it may
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>need a ball replacement. Mouse balls are now available as FRU (Field
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>Replacement Units). Because of the delicate nature of this procedure,
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>replacement of mouse balls should only be attempted by properly
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>trained personnel.
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>Before proceeding, determine the type of mouse balls by examining the
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>underside of the mouse. Domestic balls will be larger and harder than
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>foreign balls. Ball removal procedures differ depending upon the
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>manufacturer of the mouse. Foreign balls can be replaced using the
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>pop off method. Domestic balls are replaced by using the twist off
method.
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>Mouse balls are not usually static sensitive. However, excessive
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>handling can result in sudden discharge. Upon completion of ball
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>replacement, the mouse may be used immediately. It is recommended
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>that each person have a pair of spare balls for maintaining optimum
>customer satisfaction.
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>Any customer missing his balls should contact the local personnel in
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>charge of removing and replacing these necessary items. Please keep
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>in mind that a customer without properly working balls is an unhappy
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>customer.
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Reply by cassiewi on 8/24/06 12:30pm
Msg #140585

ROFLMAO, that was good. I'm going to give that to husband and see what he does! Good one!

Reply by Gerry_VT on 8/24/06 1:44pm
Msg #140600

I was an engineer at IBM when this came out, around 20 years ago. The part about it being an official IBM memo is doubtful, and even if true, it has been embellished over the years. Also, I didn't see anyone roll on the floor. However, there was some damage to keyboards in cases where engineers were drinking coffee in front of their computers while reading the underground email versions of the memo.

Let me dig into my files and see if I can find the memo about joysticks.