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Teleffect for Win2k and WinXP?

TechnoMage asks: "Before Win2K and XP I used to use software(software only) called Teleffect which lets you use the input from one computer (mouse and keyboard) on any number of other machines on the same network. Instead of using a switch box to control the machines, you use your TCP/IP connection. You would move the mouse off the screen and it would appear on the next computers monitor(similar to how windows now handles multiple monitors). There was no unreasonable limit to how many machines you could control. Teleffect with an install and a little configuring can make any machine controllable not being tied to any hardware restrictions or installation. To make it a little clearer as far as what this thing does. One keyboard and mouse, 10 machine, 10 monitors, 1 out of the 10 machines can control the mouse and keyboard functions of the other 9 machines over the network. You can also cut and paste from the clipboard of one machine to another machine. Once XP and 2K came out, I could not get it to work with them. Not only that but the people responsible for the software are MIA. Does anyone have any updated info on this software and how we can make it work with 2K or XP, or if there is going to be any development for this software, or even if there is something else out there that does the same thing?"

"This software was one of the most important apps on my machines. For those of you who are going to ask 'Well why the hell would you want to do anything like this and why don't you just buy more keyboards and mice (all of which I already have)', there was a earlier article about someone needing something similar to this and I don't think a solution was ever found.

I read over the majority of the posts on that thread and it has A lot of suggestions and info.. but none of them close to what this software does. Most of them were very expensive and dependent on hardware.

The software also works with Unix/Linux machines. I tried to contact the company about a newer version, if they were still developing it and so far, no luck. I haven't received a response from them in the 2 years I have been emailing them (about 5 emails). Everything I find on the net is for the Unix version which also seems to have stopped development. I was also able to find mention of an SGI version, and found a link to the original manufacturer of the Windows version.

For anyone who has multiple computers and would like more desk space, this software is the answer. When I had it working I was basically using a few machines to control about 10 (the number went up and down). I had maybe 3 keyboards/mice on the desktop while all the rest were sitting on top of or next to machines. I had plenty of desktop space and it worked flawlessly. Surprisingly enough, it even worked with a few games. The workflow possible with this was fantastic.. instead of a workspace with multiple monitors I had a workspace using multiple monitors with multiple machines. Using the full speed of machines with tasks split between them (3D animation production as well as anything else I needed) there was no slowdown because of a million apps running. Does anyone here at Slashdot have a replacement for this software or knows of any other software that also does this? I think a lot of people out there could use it.

Thanks again for any assistance you may be able to provide."

2 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. VNC? by Craig+Maloney · · Score: 0, Insightful

    Wouldn't VNC do something similar for you?

  2. State the obvious by trompete · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I know that you want to do this via TCP/IP, but wouldn't just having a switch save you nine monitors. It would take up less space and probably be cheaper.