+1 Swag! And why do you need sleep with a set up like that!? :o

I dunno... Do I really need to sle..Zzzzzzzzzz...!

*Gets robbed by cute, but still very sexy, furry animals*

Sweet set-up! I am considering finally buying MW5.

Woah! Mechwarrior is up to volume 5 now? Gads! I remember when the game started out as a "Pencil and paper" RPG and then started using lesser known Japanese mecha kits from Dougram, Crusher Joe and Xabungle as their references. Since the "3-D" game players would build the models and plink away at them with bb guns, a lot of those model kits that once cost a couple dollars are now very expensive collector items.

That's so incredibly believable. I played and enjoyed all the variants. My favorite part was building my own custom mechs--and proving 'em in battle!

I had SO much fun using a Vulcan and just whuppin those big buggers time and time again.

Yeah, a lot of newer systems keep the USB plugs hot even when off to let you charge your stuff (mom's got a rechargeable trackball, oh the fun the first time it died and she wanted me to change out the batteries!)

Heh! I can't remember the last time I added new batteries to a mouse or keyboard. My multi plug power strip also has two USB ports that I often use to recharge my phones.

Fancy as well as schmancy!

Okay. So, what's "Schmancy?"

Schmancy is fancier than fancy!
Have you never heard the phrase "fancy schmancy"? As in "I got invited to a fancy schmancy party at the governor's mansion, and boy was it packed with hoity-toity swells and so-and-sos!"

Aha! I just had never read it in that context before. I'll try to remember that.

As someone who usually just opts for the cheapest items possible, I'm curious to know, how much did they cost?

Twenty bucks for the keyboard and a little shy of ten dollars for the fancy mouse. Both available at Big Lots.

Huh, that's cheaper than I thought. Then again, I've never bought a keyboard and mouse before.

Soon to be RIP, Big Lots.

Uh huh. I know. Schirm interrogated our salesclerk about the possible closure of the La Canada Big Lots, but the clerk assured us that their store, being a "Big" store won't face closure soon.

Don't take that as gospel, though. I ventured into our local Fry's the weekend before they suddenly closed the doors on the whole chain for good, and the employee I spoke to still doggedly insisted that they had just reached a new agreement with Samsung and would be getting in a truck of merchandise to restock the shelves "next week", and I've had a couple of similar experiences at stores which were clearly in trouble. My guess is that even if the employees already know it's coming, they're not allowed to say so until corporate makes an official announcement.

I can relate to that having worked in retail for nearly fifteen years. In my tenure at Sportsmart, we were told to keep the merger with Sports Authority a prime secret. I served as a janitor for three years after the merger, and I had so much trouble with a "Cutthroat" manager and her toady Assistant Manager who made fun of me, giving me broad hints I was like Homer Simpson to them. (They even bought donuts and made me "Safety Manager.") I walked away from them so angry, I darn near broke the front door because I slammed it so hard. The firm declared total bankruptcy a few months afterwards. Of course, a "Car" contest where the top employee with the best performance could win a semi new SUV that was won by the Niece of one of the top execs, told me the high management was never straight with anyone.

I believe I'm going to miss Big Lots as much as I miss the 99 Cents Only Stores and Toys R Us.

what brand?

It's a "Lifesource Samauri" on the keyboard and a "Tech Source" mouse.

I’ve been trying to figure out if the maker of your mouse has a RGB controller you can download. So far it looks like there isn’t one.
I tried to find the mouse on Big Lot’s site and the closest I saw was a keyboard mouse kit by Packard Bell that looks like it includes your mouse. Also during my searches I found several look a likes with different names. My best guess is that Acer (Packard Bell’s parent company) may have re-branded the mouse model with other companies.

As for a suggestion on possible programs to try, I just bought a corsair mouse and I’m using their iCUE program to disable my mouses lights.

On an odd note, Big Lots’ website has the Lifeworks Samurai as a LED gaming mouse pad.

Hmmm! I did consider that Packard Bell boxed set up, but I didn't need the headphones or the boom mike. Yes. It is a gaming keyboard, and mouse, but I preferred the illuminated feature as my room is very dim. Besides... With my failing vision, I need a bit of help in seeing the keyboard.

Tried a backlit keyboard ages ago and can't go back. Really find it useful to see the keys easier.

Yeah. That's exactly why I insisted on an illuminated keyboard and a mouse. The lights in my room are dim to a degree, although I do have a couple swing arm lamps on my computer desk and drawing station.

I've never used an illuminated keyboard for more than a few minutes. I've had illuminated keyboards on laptops and they quickly drive me spare.

Spare?

Oh well... I was looking at a laptop that didn't have an illuminated keyboard. I figured I'd be using it in places where the lighting is better than my bedroom. I get the impression that those laptops with illuminated keyboards are for the "Dimly lit coffee shop" crowd anyway.

Spare is an euphemism for crazy, more popular with the Stiff Upper Lip crowd but some of us Yanks use it too.

I have three functional laptops. Both of my Windows 10 laptops have illuminated keyboards that I have shut off (a combination key-press) because I find it distracting. All of my keyboards (I have them for the laptops, too) are wireless, so no power except between the keyboard and the computer via Bluetooth or Logitech's wireless magic.

Thanks Major! Your "OkBE" Is in the mail. (Order of the key-Board Enthusiasts.)

When we moved up here my wife bought me a wireless mouse/keyboard. The keyboard had such slow response that I couldn't play WOW (World of Warships) so I packed it back up and dragged out the old Compaq keyboard. Reaction speed is NASCAR, the Wireless is more like city traffic. Wireless mouse is okay though, but I went back top my old Logitech M310. I honestly do not understand the hunger for backlit keyboards, my son has one, I think my daughter does as well so it must be an age related thing.

Hey Keno. Yeah, with me it is age related, plus I'm an old "Hunt and peck" style typist. The lights do help me see the letters better, and of course I like the groovy light show anyway. I've had bad luck with wireless keyboards and mice because we are situated in the "Shadow" of the Mount Wilson broadcast towers, and also there's a lot of radio interference from the Police Heliport, CB radios and nearby Burbank Airport

It's probably worth looking into control software for the RGB, at least some have profiles and it may even be possible to set things up so that the mouse switches profiles during startup and shutdown.

I can't really suggest software: I use Piper for my mouse, (Linux only), and OpenRGB currently has mixed reviews with the bad ones often over serious issues.

It's good to read you're using Linux. My late friend Jim L. sang praises to that OS, and I'm kinda sorry that I'm not that computer savvy. Still... I'm saving up for a new tower, or perhaps a rebuild and update on my current "Art Machine" in order to prepare for Windows 11 and hopefully a better rendering system.

Many current distros are no harder to use than Windows. It's also easy to try it out, for instance trying Kubuntu involves downloading a file, loading it onto a USB through with software like Rufus and then booting from the USB.

Do you still have the cintiq tablet?

Yes, I do, plus all its attachments too. It no longer works, but I hang onto it in hopes that one day, somebody who knows how to calibrate the tablet will help me get it running again.

What the hell is in your coffee mug Roy?!

You got good eyes there Brayne2022. It's a souvenir mug from the S.S. Badger, a coal fired car ferry that has been "Retired" to the tourist trade on Lake Michigan. My friend in Kentucky found it at a thrift store, maybe fifteen years ago. I use it to hold my big, thermos style drinking glass to help keep the drinks cool, prevent the condensation from marring the finish on the desk, and I like its cobalt blue finish.

It's about space!

That's the first thing that came to my mind too!

OOOH! OOOOH! How did I miss this? OOOH!