AfterDawn: Tech news

Use multiple Screens/Computers with Synergy

Written by James Delahunty @ 13 Sep 2009 8:01 User comments (3)

Use multiple Screens/Computers with Synergy Another Guide has been added to our collection in the latest round of additions and updates. This one shows how to use an application called Synergy to control multiple computer systems with the same keyboard and mouse. In the guide it is used to provide a dual-screen setup with an older computer/monitor and a spare laptop. Moving control from one system to the next is as simple as moving the pointer off of the side of the screen.
Synergy also allows you to share a clipboard across multiple systems too (text and bitmap data work fine). The only thing necessary is that both systems are connected to the same network and firewalls do not block their access to the network. It can be a useful program for a free dual-screen setup.

It is cross-platform (runs on Windows, Linux and Mac) but we have kept the Linux and Mac off of the guide for now because there are some limitations that the Synergy team is currently working out. The project does have good goals however, and for now, it works very well. Time and time again, adding a second screen to your workspace is suggested to significantly boost your productivity.



With this setup, it's not just a second screen, it's a second system with separate hardware (and can even be a different operating system). It's useful if you don't have a second monitor, or the hardware to drive a second monitor, but do have an older laptop that can run even Windows XP easily.

Read: Use Keyboard and Mouse with multiple Screens/Computer with Synergy



Hope it helps.

Also check Synergy homepage, and donate to the project if you can.

Previous Next  

3 user comments

113.9.2009 23:28

Looks cool; now I can use one of my backup computers to watch netflix on while I use my main computer for gaming/work...If only they could make it work with the PS2 & PS3 (at least the keyboard)...then I would be set!

214.9.2009 08:03

Input Director works better for gaming.

314.9.2009 09:55

I've used this program before and have to say that it works very nicely. I used it to share my mouse and keyboard with my mac and pc. Though it was much harder to get it going right on the mac end, but that could just be my inexperience with macs in general.

Comments have been disabled for this article.

Latest news

VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads VLC hits milestone: over 5 billion downloads (16 Mar 2024 4:31)
VLC Media Player, the versatile video-software powerhouse, has achieved a remarkable feat: it has been downloaded over 5 billion times.
2 user comments
Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit Sideloading apps to Android gets easier, as Google settles its lawsuit (19 Dec 2023 11:09)
Google settled its lawsuit in September 2023, and one of the settlement terms was that the way applications are installed on Android from outside the Google Play Store must become simpler. In the future, installing APK files will be easier.
8 user comments
Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets Roomba Combo j7+ review - Clever trick allows robot vacuum finally to tackle home with rugs and carpets (06 Jun 2023 9:19)
Roomba Combo j7+ is the very first Roomba model to combine robot vacuum with mopping features. And Roomba Combo j7+ does all that with a very clever trick, which tackles the problem with mopping and carpets. But is it any good? We found out.
Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations Neato, the robot vacuum company, ends its operations (02 May 2023 3:38)
Neato Robotics has ceased its operations. American robot vacuum pioneer founded in 2005 has finally called it quits and company will cease its operations and sales. Only a skeleton crew will remain who will keep the servers running until 2028.
5 user comments
How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp How to Send Messages to Yourself on WhatsApp (20 Mar 2023 1:25)
The world's most popular messaging platform, Meta-owned WhatsApp has enabled sending messages to yourself. While at first, this might seem like an odd feature, it can be very useful in a lot of situations. ....
18 user comments

News archive