Using Multiplicity in a Home Office

One PC is just not enough

Published on November 7, 2006 By Island Dog In Personal Computing

I recently spent the entire weekend building myself a new home office. I previously had a small, cheap computer desk from one of the big office supply chains, and it just wasn't efficient for doing actual work. So I went and bought a nice new glass/metal desk, a few accessories, and went to work. I spent several hours carefully bundling and running wires, and making them nice and neat with wire ties. I think I actually did a pretty good job of concealing most of the wires, and making any visible ones appear organized.

Now in the next 2 or 3 weeks I need to purchase another computer and monitor. Space is a big problem because well.....I don't have that much left. So that also brings me to the next decision of what type of computer I have buy. That's a whole other article in itself, so I won't get much into that. However, I still have to plan ahead before I buy. Another computer means another box, another monitor, another keyboard, and another mouse. Or does it?

The last thing I want is more clutter and mess, so I found a solution that will fix some of that problem. I can use Stardocks Multiplicity, and can eliminate the need for another keyboard and mouse on my desk. I will be able to work with my primary and secondary computers as though they are one unit. I have been using this with a laptop until I get my new computer, and I have found it to be an invaluable asset to my desktop. Some of the benefits of running Multiplicity on my desktop are:

Having dual monitors on my desktop, but each will have it's own dedicated PC without the need for another keyboard/mouse combo.
Clipboard sharing between my computers, and Multiplicity Pro can copy files and directories from one machine to another.
It now supports Windows Vista, so I can have my new machine running Vista and my current one running XP.
The OS X client for Multiplicity is being developed, so I will be able to control my Macs also.
I can play a game on one system, and work with Office or Photoshop on the other, while chatting on IRC on another.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who uses multiple computers, and for anyone looking to save a little space in your work area. You can view a comparison chart and download a trial version to try for yourself at the link below.

Comments

Armbut

on Nov 07, 2006

I have a question about this software. My mom is very computer illiterate, so if I use Multiplicity could I assist my mom (our computers are in two separate rooms, but they are networked) with her troubles, much like a Remote Desktop setup?

UBoB

on Nov 07, 2006

If you cannot actually see your mom's monitor or you are so far away from it that you cannot make out text on the monitor then Remote Desktop is still your best bet. Multiplicity works best with a number of computer/monitor combinations in close proximity to one another where each computer's monitor can easily be seen and read from one position.

Cordelia

on Nov 07, 2006

W00t! Good article Island_Dog!

And yes, UBob is correct, there are still some situations where a remote desktop would be necessary - such as in the case where 2 computers were in separate rooms. Additionally, Multiplicity isn't a replacement for a KVM switch in a situation where you have multiple computers but only one monitor. However, as someone with a laptop that I carry between my work desktop and my home desktop, I LOVE Multiplicity!!

CerebroJD

on Nov 07, 2006

Multiplicity works best with a number of computer/monitor combinations in close proximity to one another where each computer's monitor can easily be seen and read from one position.

I recall Brad (Frogboy) talking about how he went on quests in Warcraft (I think) with his son this way... I thought it was an excellent way to spend time together!

Island Dog

on Nov 07, 2006

Multiplicity is one of those applications that becomes a necessity the first time you use it. I'm using it right now with a laptop and desktop PC, but I can't wait to get another desktop PC and widescreen on my desk.

Excalpius

on Nov 09, 2006

I am currently using Synergy (freeware) and am thinking of upgrading to Multiplicity Pro to give me the file copying feature (which Synergy does not have). Has anyone used both of these and can compare them? Thanks.

ZubaZ

on Nov 09, 2006

You've asked a hard question Excalpius. The folks here are going to be pro-MP for the most part because it's what we've chosen already.

For what it's worth, I've bee a MP tester since the first alpha was out. It has become rock stable. The copy and paste function has saved me a ton of time (I use a TabletPC to travle with and desktop to do heavy lifting).

Other the the feature set and stability, the support has been great. Bugs I've found were fixed in a reasonable amout of time with good feedback from Stardock.

I tried synergy once and never got it to work. YMMV.

Island Dog

on Nov 09, 2006

Zubaz made some great points. The copy and paste feature alone is worth going to MP Pro. Coming from someone who has to do a lot of copy/pasting, it's an invaluable asset and a huge timesaver.

Excalpius

on Nov 10, 2006

hmmm, thanks. Synergy does copy/paste for text/clipboard, just not the file copy. And yes, I would use that hourly. Right now, I just have a shared directory on both desktops that serves a similar, if inelegant, purpose.

Glad to hear it has improved. I didn't see it getting updated in the Stardock Central application at all, but that may just be because it was not a purchased product for me, since I see my Object Desktop subscribed programs updating regularly enough.

I'll download the new trial and see if it performs better than the earlier release did (v1.0 was a bit quirky on my setup). Though I will be unable to test the cut/paste functionality with the trial it appears.

Again, thank you both for your help.

Island Dog

on Nov 10, 2006

Let us know if there's any other questions we can help you with.

SATYROBE

on Nov 18, 2006

Good tutorials. Tx. Stupid question - think I checked the multiplicity pages and demos earlier but no one mentioned how pcs are physically connected. Unless I overlooked it. Direct cable? Like ethernet or what cable? Soon reconfiguring laptop and tower with its own monitor in same room using 32bit win xp pro mostly. But wonder - how does multiplicity want them to be cabled and configured. If network or workgroup or domain, whats best? My net connection itself is by a vodafone wireless UMTS card I either stick in laptops pcmia slot or what its called or the corresponding slot I had em add to tower. Means never both online at once. Right now they are completely separate machines with own keyboards, mice and monitors. Would be nice to update SOME files regularly, esp. in direction tower - laptop, using your program without much network config experience...

Island Dog

on Nov 18, 2006

Here is some information from the product guide page that might help you out.

https://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity/infoguide.asp

Q: What are the system requirements for Multiplicity?
A TCP/IP network connection between the machines is also required. This could be through a switch or cable/DSL/wireless router (like you might have at home) or even a Firewire connection between machines.

Q: How exactly does Multiplicity work?
A: It works by talking through your internal LAN/Firewire network to machines that have the client. You then set up the "location" of the client machines monitors just as you would on a multi-monitor system. When you move your mouse off the edge of one monitor, Multiplicity then takes control of the computer the mouse "moves" onto.

SATYROBE

on Nov 19, 2006

Thanks a LOT for fast reply and Happy Thanksgiving. I had overlooked some things and will be sure to look around a bit more these days

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