Ok, I've never done anything with electronics, I'm a c# programmer by trade but since reading the "Start Here" tutorial on this site I'd really like to get into robotics at a hobby level.
I'm currently waiting for my picaxe board and part to arrive to attempt the "Start Here" tutorial and in the mean time I've been reading about salvaging parts from old equiptment. I've an old, old microsoft mouse which I've pulled apart this evening which has a Z86319 (http://pdf1.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/view/116751/ZILOG/Z86319.html) chip inside as well as a couple of switches.
Is the Z86319 worth keeping for when I have a clue what I've doing? and if so, what's the best way of unsoldering it and the switches?
Thanks in advance