Handy little program: Synergy

**GruvThang** · 07-18-2004, 11:34 PM

For those fortunate enough to have more than one computer set up at a time this program works great!

I quote:
"Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems without special hardware. It's intended for users with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its own display.

Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. It's intended for users with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its own monitor(s).

Redirecting the mouse and keyboard is as simple as moving the mouse off the edge of your screen. Synergy also merges the clipboards of all the systems into one, allowing cut-and-paste between systems. Furthermore, it synchronizes screen savers so they all start and stop together and, if screen locking is enabled, only one screen requires a password to unlock them all. Learn more about how it works.

Synergy is open source and released under the GNU Public License (GPL)."
End Quote.

You can cut and paste across screens, between windows and linux, a coder's delight! It does require each computer to have its own screen, but you can use one keyboard and mouse.

I have noticed some lag when there is high CPU load on the "remote" machines, the "sever" is not affected though. Other than that it is GREAT!

**dodgetimes2** · 07-18-2004, 11:43 PM

I have also used this program, it is awesome. Beats a KVM switch, and it's free.

**MoFo** · 07-19-2004, 03:14 AM

oh man is that program useful. thanks a lot GruvThang!

**GruvThang** · 07-19-2004, 07:48 AM

Glad to help, I love it, I have been using it for months and I do not know where I would be without it!

**d_sellers1** · 07-19-2004, 08:03 AM

I'm gonna bookmark this and check it out later this evening. I'm running a file server at home that has no monitor, keyboard, or mouse hooked up to it. It is attached to my home network and I connect to it via Windows XP's Remote Desktop Connection. Works for what I need it to do but I'm always open to better ways. Thanks.

Derek

**GruvThang** · 07-19-2004, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by d_sellers1

I'm gonna bookmark this and check it out later this evening. I'm running a file server at home that has no monitor, keyboard, or mouse hooked up to it. It is attached to my home network and I connect to it via Windows XP's Remote Desktop Connection. Works for what I need it to do but I'm always open to better ways. Thanks.

Derek

Derek for that you need PcAnywhere or VNC. Synergy only does keyboard and mouse, you need a screen on the other computer.

**Ill1** · 07-19-2004, 08:20 AM

GruvThang, since you seem to have a nack for running multiple computers, do you know of a free utility that would let me play the same music from multiple computers. For example, I want to have my music play throughout the house, but be able to control the output from the room that I'm currently in. I know this is a bit off topic and I can't say that I've done any research, but any little insight would be helpful. BTW, synergy is very handy.

**chut** · 07-19-2004, 08:36 AM

If the machines are networked any remote control program will suffice. It it's needs to be a free program Google up WinVNC.

Peter

Originally Posted by Ill1

GruvThang, since you seem to have a nack for running multiple computers, do you know of a free utility that would let me play the same music from multiple computers. For example, I want to have my music play throughout the house, but be able to control the output from the room that I'm currently in. I know this is a bit off topic and I can't say that I've done any research, but any little insight would be helpful. BTW, synergy is very handy.

**ZimZimmer** · 07-19-2004, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by GruvThang

Derek for that you need PcAnywhere or VNC. Synergy only does keyboard and mouse, you need a screen on the other computer.

Try www.radmin.com - it's better than PC anywhere.

**GruvThang** · 07-20-2004, 04:39 AM

I will have to try that one ZimZimmer, the other free tools look interesting too.

Ill1, I would recommend an RF Remote for controlling the computer. That is assuming that you are going to use the computer as a "head unit" and run the speakers to the other rooms. If that is not your plan there are several options; have one set up as a streaming server and access the stream from the other computers in the house. Using the new Linksys Media Gateway.

Let me know more about your specific needs and I will try to formulate a solution. Plus, you are really close and we could help each other with the carputers and other projects!