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Teleffect for Win2k and WinXP?
"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."
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.
More than enough BS
Thank you, drive through.
There is an application that allows you to do what it appears you want, application is called Synergy. The cool thing is it's also crossplatform, so you could move your mouse from windows to linux. It's available from http:// synergy2.sourceforge.net
I do something very much like this with VNC. I've got VNC server running (as a service, so I can lock / unlock the Windows box) on a Win2K desktop. Then, on my linux box, I start up x2vnc, pointing it at the aforementioned desktop, and giving it an edge where the desktops connect. Then, when I drag the mouse from the linux machine over towards the Windows monitor, the mouse and all keyboard input change focus accordingly.
It's all very cool.
I think there's a vnc2vnc (or something like that) that allows this to be used amongst multiple windows desktops.
not insightful at all
1 mouse 10 pcs 10 screens
not
1 mouse 1 screen 10 pcs
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
VNC sessions on the other boxen, each with win2vnc to allow the mouse to go to the next terminal when the edge is hit. Win2VNC
Why spend the money on a bunch of monitors and the software to control them when you get it for free?
If you must use 2K then I suspect you'll have to use vnc (although remember that all network traffic is unencrypted by default with vnc.)
Yet another possibility would be to use VNC, but then a Linux box as a the controler so that you could just switch the virtual desktop you are on, and switch the computer you are controling. (Provided you've full screened the vnc window.) Then you can bind keys to change virtual desktops, or just use border desktop changing.
The linux solution will give you much more flexability. Also if you want to use remote desktop, you can with a linux app called rdesktop. With the security and stability of linux you can't go wrong.
=================
Unix is very user friendly, it's just picky about who its friends are.
running a vnc server on the other machines, and using win2vnc (if your controlling computer is a windows box) or x2vnc (if your controlling computer is a linux/bsd box.) The limits to this are that you you can control only up to 4 machines. (up - down - left - right)
info at http://www.hubbe.net/~hubbe/
I think you are looking for Win2VNC. There is also x2vnc.
I believe the whole thing behind not using VNC is the network lag. I use VNC at work and it sucks. I have to constantly click 'Request screen refresh'. However, they're windows machines and I don't experience the difficulty with the linux machines I vnc into. Again, I believe it's a speed issue. If you've already got the monitors on your desk, you may as well actually use them.
if your lan is insecure, pipe it through ssh.
Come on, did that really have to be pointed out?
I've used VNC with X2VNC and another program that escapes me to do what this fellow wants... Not as insightless as you say...
I've been using this for a while. Nay too bad.
-- Mod me down. I am not a karma tart. ffs,gag
Follow the link, the parent IS insightful.
1 mouse 1 screen 10 pcs is what you'll get if you set it up right.
Netopia makes a product called Timbuktu that's really nice and it works over TCP/IP. When I used to work at Qwest I used it to control either PCs or Macintosh computers. It was a great way I could get into the NT Development Server to restart the Web App. Server I was working on where the machine was physically located across town. I thought it used to work on UNIX flavors as well but I didn't see anything when I checked the site. Timbuktu was pretty fast on a local connection even with full color. We were forced to use Symantec's product which didn't work on the Mac and the performance was horrid. I don't know if it was configuration issues or a poor product but the Color performance of Timbuktu was better than the Black and White of PC Anywhere. Dial-in performance wasn't super for Timbuktu but it did work - and it was worse for PC Anywhere. Netopia's site says it works for Win2K and XP. http://www.netopia.com/en-us/software/products/tb2 /index.html
Good luck.
VNC will do what he wants, 'cept for the mousing across screens gimmick. It could probably be added easily, though, and sounds like it'd be fun!
not really they state it on their homepage too somewhere iirc.
;), ah one can wish..
synergy is a great program, i just wish someone ported it to beos as well
and really, this is the thing the guy was looking for anyways though i must confess that bumping into synergy is a bit tricky, though with google search "windows linux keyboard sharing tcp" you would find synergy on the 3rd page.
also i don't see anybody yet mentioning the clipboard somewhat functionality(copypaste between screens/os's).
world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
Pardon the obvious response, but what is wrong with VNC? You've already stated that you're using a graphical intereface, so why not use VNC, or UltraVNC. All work with the same functionality that you are referring to.
think before you write, it'll save me moderator points.
I needed this last year. I was updating a project with Windows and MacOS version and had to have a mac on my desk. There was plenty of room for the extra keyboard and mouse. The trouble was just that I'd forget to actually switch to the other set. So, half the time I'd end up staring at the mac monitor while moving the PC mouse. It was funny the first few times, but quickly got annoying.
Fuck the system? Nah, you might catch something.
The idea is to allow keyboard and mouse control of a machine with its own monitor! They're talking about versions of VNC which pass along control commands but no video. Standard VNC/Windows Terminal Services wouldn't do this cos they only provide a remote view of the workstation.
Picture this: You have two PCs. You also have two sets of mice and keyboards. So, put Synergy/xVNC (or similar) on both machines, pack away the mouse and keyboard for the second PC, and when you move your mouse cursor off the edge of the first PC's desktop, it appears on the edge of the screen of the second PC's desktop. It's purely a replacement for loads of mice/keyboards. But nonetheless a damn sight more useful than VNC in some situations. I use it all day, every day.
sig:- (wit >= sarcasm)
Bloody hell! Has no-one read the original post?
The "mousing across screens gimmick" is the whole point! He specifically DOES NOT WANT video - he'll be leaving the monitor connected. The point is to simply move the secondary PC's mouse and keyboard out of the way so that he can use the same set of controls across multiple machines. It's way better than a multi-head PC if you've got a few PCs in use because each monitor is feeding from a different PC and the only thing being transmitted across the LAN is the mouse and keystrokes.
sig:- (wit >= sarcasm)
Since this seems to confuse many people, here goes:
You have 3 PCs all in constant use, all with keyboard and mouse (KM for future ease), and you want to control all 3 from the same KM combo. You could connect all three monitors to one PC and run 2 copies of VNC to view the other two desktops, but that would consume network and CPU resources. So:
1) Leave all 3 monitors connected and move them next to each other.
2) Run Synergy or similar on all 3 PCs, setting the middle PC as the Server.
3) Put the two other PC's KMs somewhere out of the way.
4) Now, your KM for the middle PC will work as normal, except when you reach the side of the desktop with your mouse cursor, it will move off that PC's desktop and onto the desktop of the adjacent PC.
5) Now you have what looks like a PC with 3 monitors connected, except the two side monitors are running on individual PCs, controlled by the master PC's KM. Each PC can do its own thing, but can be controlled as easily as the centre PC.
sig:- (wit >= sarcasm)
1 mouse 1 screen 10 pcs
Only if you leave the monitors off the other 10 machines, which you CAN do with VNC. The only thing missing is switching systems by moving the mouse past the edge of the screen. Since they're not all running the same program in some cooperative, multi-screen-interactive way, I'd expect he'd be happier not having input suddenly jump when he bumps the mouse unintentionally.
I believe the whole thing behind not using VNC is the network lag.
From the article:
Instead of using a switch box to control the machines, you use your TCP/IP connection.
Anything else stupid you'd like to say?
Back when I last used VNC which was when it first came out I dont think it did remote control without viewing the desktop (which I dont want or need for this instance) .. Now it seems everyone knows it can do this so I am going to look into it as well as a few other options that have been posted here..
Thanks for the comment.
1 mouse 1 screen and 10 pcs would not work for me. From what everyone is saying about VNC it will do what I need as well as synergy and a few others.
heh heh.. yeah I kinda need the mousing across the screen.. LOL.. ya made me laugh with that response :) LOL.... With the control of machines without the video there is no network lag or not enough to be easily detected. Telefect had none as far as I was concerned.. Looks like Synergy or from what others are saying VNC will also do it with an extra app or two.
Thanks for making me smile ;)
I believe the whole thing behind not using VNC is the network lag. I use VNC at work and it sucks.
:-)
Keep in mind that these suggestions were for x2vnc and win2vnc . So instead of running a full VNC client (with the remote desktop displayed back to the controlling computer), you are only sending keyboard/mouse events. This is much faster.
I have a Sun workstation at work, from which I am controlling a Linux box on one side (using x2x) and a Mac OS X box on the other side (using x2vnc). There is no lag whatsoever - the mouse moves smoothly across all my 3 monitors.
(That is, unless the network has the occasional hiccup).
Hehe, I don't usually get that frustrated, but sometimes ppl on /. put on the most incredible shows of smart-ass "I know exactly what this is about so I won't bother actually reading it" behaviour that I couldn't help myself...
Personally, I'd go for Synergy - it's the easiest to install and configure and VNC seemed to be a bit buggy.
sig:- (wit >= sarcasm)
I believe you have no idea what you are talking about. Person asks about software that uses tcp/ip to use mice and keyboards on other computers, person 2 reccomends VNC. So that you can save the cost of using multiple monitors. Had you bothered to read that you would know I was saying VNC wouldn't be a viable option because of the lag it causes. He wants a product that does something completely different. I know what he's trying to accomplish with using a mouse and keyboard over tcp/ip connections. So that you can use 1 mouse, 1 keyboard, on multiple machines with their own monitors at your desk, or acrossed the room for that matter. Mayhaps you should read the comment in which I replied to before you jump on me.
heh heh.. The 10 monitors was just an example though I do have about that many now. In most instances I want or need the monitors displaying the information to be visable at all times and dont want to have to switch to see them.
That's exactly what Teleffect was/is used for... most often with a PC and SGI... two monitors side-by-side, one on each system, one keyboard and mouse. Really easy to just move the cursor and type on either display. I know lots of folks that still use it, albeit with SGI IRIX and Windows NT 4. (Still works great for folks that don't mind NT -- it'll still run Office XP and Internet Explorer 6.0, as well as the latest Nvidia GFX drivers.... but it's not a "gamer OS").