Our museum has experienced interesting problems with mice and trackballs. We have an area called "DinoDig" which contains a large sand pit. Since the day DinoDig opened, we have been cleaning sand out of the trackball housings and/or mouse housings. Most of the time, the trackballs and mice just have to be replaced. Unfortunately, the applications were written specifically for mice or trackballs and cannot be changed to touchscreens at this point. Also, children have a tendency to "lean" on the ball or mouse if it is not working perfectly. They think that by leaning on the equipment it will make better contact and work better. Unfortunately, this ruins the equipment. Keyboards are another interesting experience. Kids love to change the keys around to spell things we really wish they wouldn't, thus shocking the next patron. If the keyboard is in a case, they shove items such as pencils, pens, odds and ends from their pockets under the cases and jam the keyboards up. Touchscreens seem to be our only answer. Elographics' touchscreens are the best we've seen as far as reliability and upkeep. They were used in one of our biggest exhibits and really stood up well. We've tried several brands of touchscreens and they all beat the other devices hands down. Holly Henry [log in to unmask] Systems Administrator Fort Worth Museum of Science and History 1501 Montgomery Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107 Phone: 817-732-1631, ext 341