My desk has a pure black surface -- the optical mouse won't work on it at all.
It works nicely on almost any other surface though--- wood grain of another desk, corian on the kitchen counter, surface of a pad of writing paper etc.
But as was already pointed out, you try working on something that is shiny enough to act like a mirror and you get erratic results.
I like the optical mouse because I don't have to clean mouse balls and the little sensing rollers inside all the time. Much easier to maintain.
But I still use and LIKE mouse-pads. They have a smooth velvet finish that gives you a consistent soft feel as you glide your mouse around. Most other surfaces either have or pick up contaminants like wax, oil, dust, food particles (OK, I'm a messy eater).
And you can get some really interesting messages on them.
Fud.
