small desk and a useful program

One of the people who attended the "OSAF":http://osafoundation.org sprint pointed out a very useful program he uses to manage the multiple keyboards and mice you invariably collect if you deal with many computers on your desk: "Synergy":http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/ This is something which I've been dealing with by using a combination of VNC and a KVM and wireless keyboards. My work setup now consists of two computers, a laptop, two LCD and one CRT monitor. At the center is my 17" powerbook and directly behind it are the two desktop boxes. To the right of the powerbook is a 19" LCD and to the left is a 21" CRT. The LCD is attached to a KVM to allow it to switch between the XP server (the right side desktop box) and the powerbook. The CRT is attached to the Ubuntu server (the left side desktop box) and behind it all, sitting on top of one of the desktop boxes, is the little 15" LCD that is attached to the Ubuntu server that I keep all of my status apps on. Needless to say it's one crowded desk - and that's without considering keyboards and mice. What Synergy allows me to do is to use the wireless keyboard (linked to the powerbook) to control all three computers. I keep the Ubuntu keyboard on the desk right in front of the powerbook and actually, it sits right on top of the trackpad since I loathe using it and love using my USB trackball. Another trick I use is to run VNC on my powerbook and have it attached to the XP server so I can quickly switch desktops on the powerbook to see the XP desktop. I also run multiple VNC sessions on the Ubuntu server to be able to monitor the servers in the basement. Anywho, now you see why an application like "Synergy":http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/ is very useful to me :)


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