Software

From Dual-Boxing Wiki

(Redirected from Multiplexer)

There are two types of software that can be used to multibox.

Multiplexer Emulators
Multi-Machine Emulators

Because both simply emulate hardware solutions, neither is considered by WoW GMs to be against the rules.[1]

Multiplexer Emulators

Multiplexers are devices that send keypresses to multiple machines at the same time. They differ from a KVM switch, which simply sends a keypress to a chosen machine, but is able to switch between machines. In most cases, a multiplexer emulator is built on top of a pre-existing KVM switch emulator.

Most multiplexer emulators transmit key signals over your network, rather than a physical wire connected to each computer. The benefits of multiplexer emulators is that they are relatively inexpensive (anywhere from free to $50), whereas hardware multiplexers are typically limited to PS2 devices and run upwards of $100.[2]

Multi-Machine Emulators

Multi-Machine emulators are programs that transmit keypresses to multiple windows on the same machine, or on a combination of machines. This can greatly cut down the costs compared to a full hardware setup, with the caveat that you have less performance and typically less screen real estate than an equivalent hardware box setup.

Most computers on the market today can easily dual-box two windows on the same machine. Computers with dual- or quad-cores can multibox more, with processor speed and available RAM being your primary limitors.

A simple way to determine how many instances of a game you can run on a single computer is to sign up for free trial accounts and try it out. Throttling the FPS of games that are not in your primary focus may improve performance.[3]

Available Software

Below is a list of software most commonly used.

Software Comparison

Product	OS	Multiple PC	Multiple Window	UI	Window Management	Output Features	Supported Games	Cost
AutoHotKey	Windows		KM, Multiplexer	Scripting			WoW: No GM Approval	$0
CloneKeys	Mac		K, Multiplexer	GUI			WoW: No GM Approval	$0
HotKeyNet	Windows	K	K	GUI	PiP		WoW: No GM Approval	$0
Keyclone	Windows	K, Multiplexer	KVM, Multiplexer	GUI	Maximizer, PiP	Round Robin	WoW: GM Approved	$19.99 lifetime / PC
Inner Space	Windows	Multiplexer	KVM, Multiplexer	GUI	Window Layouts, PiP	Round Robin	WoW: No GM Approval	$10 / 90 days / 5 PCs
MaxiVista	Windows	KM		GUI			WoW: No GM Approval	$29.95 - $69.95
Multibox	Windows	KM		GUI			WoW: No GM Approval	$0
Octopus	Windows	KM, Multiplexer	KM, Multiplexer	GUI	Maximizer, PiP		WoW: No GM Approval	$0
Synergy	Linux, Mac, Windows	KM, Multiplexer		GUI			WoW: No GM Approval	$0
Voice Commander	Windows	K					WoW: No GM Approval	$0
xdotool	Linux	Multiplexer	Multiplexer	Command-line	Resize/Move		WoW: No GM Approval	$0

Note: This list is currently under construction and data is still being gathered.

GM Approval (or lack thereof) does not mean a certain piece of software is against the rules or will result in a ban. It is the user's responsibility to determine whether or not software, or specific uses for that software, are compliant with the game's rules. If in doubt, contact the game's support or administration.

Multiplexer Emulators

Mubox

Mubox is a Free solution for Windows that allows you to control Multiple Windows locally, and remotely via a network, with a single keyboard and mouse. It replaces the Windows Task Switcher, offers Keyboard Multicast and Mouse Clone behavior, Game File Isolation, and more.

Mubox

Synergy

Synergy lets you easily share a single mouse and keyboard between multiple computers with different operating systems, each with its own display, without special hardware. It's intended for users with multiple computers on their desk since each system uses its own monitor(s).

Synergy

Multibox

Share one mouse/keyboard and send keypresses to one or all machines using your network.

Multibox

Maxivista

Control up to four computers with one single keyboard and mouse - Seamlessly move the mouse cursor to the computer you would like to control. MaxiVista cleans up your desktop and saves you from juggling multiple mouse and keyboard input devices and buying kvm switches.[4]

Maxivista

Voice Commander

Voice Commander translates speech into key presses. Ever tried to play with two WoW accounts at the same time? It's damn hard to use two keyboards simultaneously and look at two screens. Why not just play fully with one account and give voice commands to the second. That's much more natural since you're already used to speaking over Teamspeak or Ventrilo while playing the game. [5]

Voice Commander

Multi-Machine Emulators

AutoHotKey

AutoHotkey is an open source macro-making utility for Windows that can automate almost anything by sending keystrokes and mouse clicks. It can also create hotkeys for keyboard, mouse, joystick, and handheld remote controls. Similarly, it can create abbreviations that expand as you type them (AutoText). Finally, it makes it easy to create your own graphical user interfaces and custom menus. [6]

AutoHotKey

Clonekeys

CloneKeys duplicates (clones) incoming keystrokes and sends them to the applications as setup in the main CloneKeys configuration window. This is mostly useful for multi-boxing in games. (Open up multiple copies of World of Warcraft and use CloneKeys to send the same keystrokes to multiple windows simultaneously.) [7]

Clonekeys

Multiplexer & Multi-Machine Emulators

Keyclone

Keyclone is a p2p, unicasting keyboard emulator. Keyclone links applications together...enabling you to hit 'F1' within one application, and having that key simultaneously sent to each of the other applications keyclone is managing. it will also send those same keys to any other keyclones you may have linked in, which in turn will distribute the keys to the applications they are managing.[8]

Keyclone

HotKeyNet

HotkeyNet is free multiboxing software. It's a hotkey program for gamers who play several characters at the same time. It lets you control several programs on your network from any keyboard no matter which PCs the programs are running on. [9]

HotKeyNet

Inner Space

Inner Space is known for its instant PiP switching, where other programs fail. The ISBoxer Suite for Inner Space makes it easy to configure any type of window layouts, key mappings and more. Its mouse broadcasting feature includes a fake cursor on the background windows. [10]

Octopus

This is a GUI based KM + key/click/cursor multi window caster basically. It is a server/client in one EXE for maximum response on the server, whilst extending the same functionality to additional clients. The design is such that as much configuration as possible is done on the server. No coding/scripting is required (not using that as a sell point, rather, it is the way it is). [11]