I've just been given a sun optical mouse, the guy couldn't find the special mouse mat to go with it. Does anyone know where I can get one. Or, (just thought of this one now) does anyone know the pattern that was printed on it? Maybe I could create it and print it out.

It's a reflective pad (maybe some sort of laquered aluminum?) with a regular crosshatch of about a millimeter or two. I don't think that the spacing is all that critical; it'll just take longer to move the cursor if the spacing is bigger.

any chance of a piccy?

Sun had a number of different optical mice. I think they all used the same pad, though.

Sun's page on Type-5 optical mice
You can't really tell anything from this
link to a postscript to print it out (some messages around there say that the mice weren't as compatible as I thought)

lovely, thanks!

The printable one is for a Type 3. It won't work for a Type 5 mouse. The Type 4 and Type 5 pads were close, the Type 3 had a lower density grid.

I haven't printed that PostScript in years, but I notice it's copyright BeakSoft. I knew all most of the principals, I wonder which one wrote it?

Incidentally, yes, there is software with this license:
Copyright 1990,1991 BeakSoft Inc. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to copy, modify, and use this as long as this notice remains intact. CMU Sucks.

I'll hunt around in my attic - I know I still have one for one of my old SGI boxes, but I think I might have a Sun one going spare. I won't promise anything, but I'll let you know after the weekend.

If he doesn't there's also a chance I have one around that's mine and not my employer's. Let me know.

It looks like I have a Type 4 mouse and a Type 3 mat. Am I to assume this won't work together? (I don't actually have them yet) If so, Mr Frog/Mr Brashear could you help out?

Won't work (assuming that's what you have).

i'll have to start scouring for another mat then....

None at home.I'll have to look at work Monday

Apologies - none at home. I could have sworn I had one spare kicking about. Hmmm - maybe need to chat with Mrs. Frog51 about over-enthusiastic tidying