Synergy -- One Keyboard and Mouse for Multiple Computers
Posted on Tuesday, May 02, 2006 at 11:55 AM by Randall
Multiple computers per person are becoming more common in some type of businesses (and even for some home users) -- often with different operating systems on each computer.. While multiple monitors can quickly fill up a desk, at least they are useful. A keyboard and mouse for each computer are just annoying as you have to physically move to switch computers. With Synergy, you can use one keyboard and one mouse for multiple computers. When you move you mouse to the edge of the screen on one computer's monitor, the focus moves to the next computer (unless you lock the program to one computer by pressing the Scroll Lock key). The keyboard sends characters to whichever computer the mouse is active on. Screen savers are synchronized so they all start and stop together. Synergy also understands multiple screens attached to the same computer. Best of all, Synergy allows you to copy and paste between the the systems -- even if they are running different operating systems.
At the moment, Synergy works on Windows 95 or higher and most versions Unix (requires X Windows version 11 revision 4 or up with the XTEST extension). It also works on Mac OS X 10.2 or higher with some limitations. There are some commercial programs that have similar features, but most only work on Windows machines.
Rating: 4.0 Stars
Operating System: Many (See Above)
License:
Open Source (GNU GPL)
Price: Free
Version Reviewed:
1.3.1
Web Site: http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/home.html
See
Screenshots