Synergy Options

[impala454]

As predicted, my job has gotten me more interested in linux, so I decided to build a small new PC just to jack around with linux stuff at home. Should be here Tuesday, I went ahead and decided to get the other monitors out and set them up so I could have all three computers set up and useable on the same desk. So the three computers are:

1. Storage PC - older P4 2.8GHz, 1GB RAM, 250GB main drive, 1TB storage drive, running Windows XP
2. Linux PC - new PC, Intel Atom 1.6GHz (mini ITX, tiny sucker), 2GB RAM, 150GB raptor, multi-booting Windows XP & Linux
3. Monster PC - Pentium D 3GHz (older actually), 4GB RAM, 300GB raptor, running Windows XP

and monitors will go like this, from left to right (I'm mentioning all this for a reason):

[17" LCD PC1] [20" LCD PC2] [24" LCD PC3] [20" LCD PC3]

This app I found, while searching for hardware switches, is compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX. It lets you share a keyboard/mouse between multiple PCs all via software. Now although I haven't gotten the parts for PC2 yet, I got everything set up for it and set up the Synergy software, and wow, it is absolutely seamless. It honestly feels just like multiple monitors. It looks like the software is a couple years old, so I'm sure someone will pipe in with how "old" it is, but I figured it was worth noting on here. Especially because some people use Mac and/or Linux boxes next to Windows. I haven't messed with it yet, but it also shares the clipboard and screensavers between the shared PCs. Very slick IMHO. One of the cooler apps I've seen in a long time.

http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/