Newbie with Xubuntu 14.04

I have been using an older Belkin USB wireless optical mouse for some time and it works fine with linux. I want to get a cheap backup mouse (wired or wireless) off of ebay just to be safe if this one dies. So I was wondering if mouse compatibility is much of an issue in linux?

What got me thinking was this one says it is "mac and windows" compatible as do some others. But some will not mention the "mac" compatibility (just say pc or windows). So I was wondering if it would improve the chances to make sure it says mac compatible on the assumption that at least it seems designed for more than one OS. Or is this is a non issue?

as long as there is a usb transmitter any wireless mouse will work

I have to take issue with that reply. I have been trying to get three different mice to work on my Linux 16 OS with no success. I've been having problems getting on this forum as well, but why aren't any of thewse mice working. Two are PS-2 (one with a USB conversion plug) and one is wireless. The problem is worse since I finally got a printer to work on the system. The Linux 16 Mint I installed is a download to a DVD. sense I'm a "newbie" in the strictest sense, I need simple instructions.
Incidentally, I solved my printer issue with the purchase of a #5.00 HP printer at a local garage sale after I read about Canon and Linux having a less than amicable working relationship.

locoengineer

I have never had a mouse NOT work
ranging from a old parallel port wired
to a parallel port wireless mouse/keybord combo
to a 7 button usb wireless and the current CHEEP usb 3 button ( $10 ) mouse

plug it in and it "just works" , now you might have to reboot if it is very different mouse

there is on computer operating system called "linux 16"

there is " Mint 16 " a Debian based LINUX distro

this site required no special browser plugins
and Iceweasel ( the debian fork of firefox) will work just fine for this web site .

almost all HP printers are auto supported by cups ( the "Common Unix Printing System")
Cannon on the other hand is almost 100% NOT supported by any linux or apple mac OS

@ jross
You shouldn't have any trouble, but wired anything will always be more reliable than wireless. I used to have an old ball-mouse plugged into the mouse port. When I replaced it with an optical one plugged into the usb port, the computer just carried on regardless.

@ locoengineer
If you have trouble with three mice, there might be something wrong with your computer or your Linux installation. Trouble with Firefox also sounds suspicious. I suggest you post details of your problems and any error messages in a new thread — please don't hijack, if you want to get noticed.