Which thread?
I'm curious because I was told by Hagstrom that the green wires on the trackball should be earth grounded.
Sort of like the "never unplug PS/2 keyboard while the computer is on" advice. I've done it hundreds of times without effect, and most keyboards and motherboards and OSs can handle unplugging replugging while the comp's on, but there's the one in a million chance...
It's
possible for a trackball to build up static, enough to spark and kill a TB optical board, but in a home enviornment the chances are very, very, very remote. However, it looks like the wico & betson TB's optical boards are closer to the ball and rollers than on the happs TB... And in an arcade with constant use and a wool carpet and a player who constantly scruffs his feet... Still not very likely.

*shrug* I haven't earth grounded my trackball.