Multiple Computers - One Mouse and Kbd

[bdgbill]

I am absolutley giddy over this free software I found a couple of days ago.

It's called "Synergy", it's free and open source. It allows you to use the same keyboard and mouse to control multiple machines. It works flawlessly for me.

This is the first time I have ever donated cash to a project on the same day I installed it.

I have my laptop and the primary monitor from my GBPVR machine on my desk. I had 2 mice and a 2nd keyboard on the floor. I pretty much just used the GBPVR machine for things I could do with the mouse only since it was too much of a hassle to clear enough space for the 2nd keyboard. I now have just one mouse and use my laptop keyboard for both machines. You just move your mouse to the edge of the screen and it effortlessly glides into the 2nd monitor.

It seems this has been around for a while, so many of you may already know about it.

Lifehacker article with how-to.

[m.clizzle]

thanks! our office is moving today and i will now use this to monitor our servers, adding a third display to my desktop pc, and away with the extra 3 keyboards.

[flyswatta]

I've been using it for about 1 1/2 years. The thing I like is that it works with Windows and Linux and it let's you transfer the clipboard contents between servers, er, pc's

[linene]

Thanks blgbill! I started using it after I saw your post and I am also lovin it

[erik]

What's the difference with VNC?

[flyswatta]

Synergy2 is for when you have 2 monitors, 2 computers, and 1 mouse/keyboard. You have both computers set up and logged in and share the mouse, keyboard, and clipboard. You can have more than 2 computers, but the idea is that you share the keyboard & mouse.

VNC is more for remote control access.

There is version based on vnc that does the same thing called x2vnc. At the time I was trying them out, x2vnc wasn't as responsive as Synergy2 was. It may be better now, I'm pretty happy with Synergy2 so I haven't messed with x2vnc since.

Hint: To send a ctl/alt/del to the "client" computer, put the mouse in the client monitor, and press cnt/alt/pause. That was a feature added (or not well-documented) after I started using it, and it caused me much frustration until I figured it out

For anybody that's curious, here's a link to Synergy2

[flyswatta]

I agree tipstir - at home, I have my gbpvr server in a corner of my office and just remote desktop to it. At work, I use Synergy2 to share the keyboard/mouse between 2 computers. Just depends on your requirements.

[linene]

I am using it with two computers that are phiscally right next to each other. I was using a seperate keyboard and mouse for both, since i did not want the hassle of vnc etc...and I wanted a seperate dedicated monitor for both computers. For this situation, using Synergy seems to be the best solution (at least for me so far). This is not a great solution if your compter is remote (needs an awfully long video cable then ). For remote control, I usually use Logmein (free version), both inside and outside of my lan...I seems to to have less delay than vnc for me.

[dgeezer]

I just installed this. Wow, I am using it with two computers that are on my desk, but with only one monitor. I have a Gateway monitor with both DVI and analogue inputs. I have always had 2 keyboards ant 2 mice on my desktop.

The monitor has a button on the side that switches between inputs. Now I can simply mouse off the page and touch the button on the side of my monitor and the other PC ( my GBpvr server) is under my control.

Thanks so much.

I'll let you know what happens when the GB server goes into standby......
This is the only possible glitch in this system. If this works I can take the wireless keyboard and mouse upstairs to use with GBpvr Client pc.