This is the latest ‘geek toy’ to arrive.
It’s a nifty KVM switch that allows one to run two computer systems (in my case, a Windows XP box, and a Ubuntu Linux box) on the same keyboard, mouse, speakers and display.
It’s pretty darn cool.
Finally I can switch effortlessly between systems without having to ‘roll’ my chair from one end of the desk, to the other, simply so I can access the Ubuntu system. Remote control software be damned this thing rocks. :)
The single downside to a KVM switch is that it can cause a minor (or in some cases major) amount of ‘ghosting’ whereby the two display signals interfere with each other, causing colour alignment & signal loss issues. I can happily report however that even on my 17″ TFT flat panel display, ghosting is virtually non-existant, with the most trivial loss of sharpness.
Actually, after an hour or so of operation, I can’t say I notice it enough to be concerned.
≡ This is a journal entry relating to the topics of geek.
Brendan Borlase is a Systems and Network Administrator living in Adelaide, Australia, having lived, worked and breathed Information Technology for over 12 years. Learn more.
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Jun 30th, 2005 at 3:28 am
I remember I saw something like this, but for hooking a Mac and PC up. You could move the mouse off the edge of the Mac’s screen, and it would appear on the Windows PC seamlessly. Minimal hardware, and some neat software. Lemme see if I can dig up the link.
Jun 30th, 2005 at 3:31 am
Ah, here it is, off LifeHacker.
How to turn your dual-monitor PC into a dual mac-PC system.
I better bookmark it before I lose it again… :)
Jun 30th, 2005 at 4:36 am
shorty,
I have used that (synergy) in the past - it’s actually a very cool concept. I prefer only have the one display on my desk, hence the KVM.
Jul 8th, 2005 at 1:03 pm
Yeah, that’s a good point.
That might be a problem for me too, as I only have one display currently.