Ok, that sounds like the obvious KVM line. Not so. Instead I'm talking about controlling and using multiple machines from one keyboard and mouse that is simply hooked up to one computer (no special cables or boxes). Why? Well, if you need to ask, this is probably not for you. I need it since I bring a notebook around wherever I go and I often sit at a desk that has a nice computer, but I still need my notebook. This is especially true of my own desk at school.
If you are a windows person, you should check out Maxivista. Great software, works fantastic on an XP box. Easily use your notebook as a second screen to the main desktop, or control both from the same keyboard and mouse. You pay, but it's worth it.
Not as sexy, but still very useful is Synergy. This will install on linux/max/windows. It allows you to use one keyboard and mouse on many machines without connecting them (they do both need to be on the same network). I will not explain how since the website does a fine job, instead I'm simply endorsing it.
I now come to work, open up the notebook, run the synergy client command (there is a GUI, but I could not get it to work) and then I can work both machines on my desk from the full keyboard and mouse that is attached to the desktop. Try it!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Notebook Software (Smartboard) What a waste!
Ok, this will not help me gain any political points, but it must be said; Notebook software from Smartboard is a major waste of time. I know, I know, it slices, it dices it .... Actualy I know all that it can do. I'm a certified trainer and I will continue to help people use and understand it. Still, it's a waste of programming. Why?
Well, first off we already have Keynote or Powerpoint. Very well estabolished pieces of software that can be extended to do anything. They run on lower hardware requirements and they run well.
Take this simple example. I have a very small powerpoint I'm going to run tomorrow on cellular review. It has 10 slides, 8 of which contain flash objects. It loads great in 2003, has clickable, hidable, and dragable objects. Runs great, no problems. Just to try Notebook again, I thought I'd move my file over. Well, a few slides in and the program hangs. After much time it informs me that there is an error in my flash code. Well that might be, but it ran fine in Powerpoint and on the web. Sadly, this is a recurring problem.
Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh. For many simple folk this will represent a leap forward. They can easily add graphics and drag them around. The good folks at Smartboard (love their board) have released a nice pack of graphics and flash objects for their Notebook software that is easily accessed and used. That's not the problem.
What bugs me is they could have spent their time writing a great set of snap-ins or add-ons for Powerpoint instead of creating another propriatary piece of software. Now I'll have notes in Keynote, notes in Powerpoint, notes in Notebook, and so on. An even clearer example of this waste hit me in the hallway today. I bumped into a teacher and asked if they wanted to test drive our new Senteo's with me. The response "Oh, I can't this year, I'm really too busy just moving my stuff from Powerpoint to Notebook".
Great, another year flushed down the digital toilet simply because we're moving file formats. I can't wait to find out what program is the fad next year!
:(
Well, first off we already have Keynote or Powerpoint. Very well estabolished pieces of software that can be extended to do anything. They run on lower hardware requirements and they run well.
Take this simple example. I have a very small powerpoint I'm going to run tomorrow on cellular review. It has 10 slides, 8 of which contain flash objects. It loads great in 2003, has clickable, hidable, and dragable objects. Runs great, no problems. Just to try Notebook again, I thought I'd move my file over. Well, a few slides in and the program hangs. After much time it informs me that there is an error in my flash code. Well that might be, but it ran fine in Powerpoint and on the web. Sadly, this is a recurring problem.
Perhaps I'm being a bit harsh. For many simple folk this will represent a leap forward. They can easily add graphics and drag them around. The good folks at Smartboard (love their board) have released a nice pack of graphics and flash objects for their Notebook software that is easily accessed and used. That's not the problem.
What bugs me is they could have spent their time writing a great set of snap-ins or add-ons for Powerpoint instead of creating another propriatary piece of software. Now I'll have notes in Keynote, notes in Powerpoint, notes in Notebook, and so on. An even clearer example of this waste hit me in the hallway today. I bumped into a teacher and asked if they wanted to test drive our new Senteo's with me. The response "Oh, I can't this year, I'm really too busy just moving my stuff from Powerpoint to Notebook".
Great, another year flushed down the digital toilet simply because we're moving file formats. I can't wait to find out what program is the fad next year!
:(
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