Help with Setup - 4 Screens, 3 Computers, 1 KB/Mouse

[Bayle]

Hi! Newly registered and I have a few setup questions.

Here is the gear I currently have:

2 x 22" monitors

2 x 24" monitors

1 Rack holding all 4

1 Desktop PC, connected to the 2 24" monitors

1 Alienware laptop connected to 1 22" monitor

1 17" Macbook Pro connected to 1 22" monitor



What I want to achieve:

I want to be able to send key strokes from one keyboard/mouse to all 3 computers across 3-4 WoW clients ( 1 running on each laptop, 1-2 running from the desktop.)

What items should I pick up hardware or software wise to acomplish this?

Thank in advance for the help!

[Bayle]

Also - I have a Wired KB/Mouse, any soloution other than using wireless/multiple receivers?

-Bayle

[Zzyzxx71]

There are multiple solutions to do what you're trying to do - immediately I'd say look into Keyclone.

[Bayle]

I will definitely check that out - my concern with Keyclone is that it (from what I can tell?) works on one machine, not multiple? So that's a software soloution - i am looking for more of a hardware solution I think, so I can take the burden off of my main machine (running clients on multiple cpus)

[Bayle]

Oh... hrm does keyclone work over a network?

[Svpernova09]

I will definitely check that out - my concern with Keyclone is that it (from what I can tell?) works on one machine, not multiple? So that's a software soloution - i am looking for more of a hardware solution I think, so I can take the burden off of my main machine (running clients on multiple cpus)


Keyclone works on multiple systems, you just need a license for each machine. you can use inputdirector (inputdirector.com it's free) to share 1 keyboard and mouse across all the computers.

[Bayle]

Very cool, inputdirector looks quite good - thought about Octopus too.

Now, any ideas on how to incorporate my mac into the mix? I feel like this might be my more difficult part of the equation...

[Svpernova09]

Very cool, inputdirector looks quite good - thought about Octopus too.

Now, any ideas on how to incorporate my mac into the mix? I feel like this might be my more difficult part of the equation...


hmmm. yes. I don't know of any software that supports mac AND pc.

[Zzyzxx71]

Hmm will wow run on a VM in Parallels?

[Bayle]

Great idea, I have Par. installed, I'll give that a shot, that might just solve my problem!

[Aldercy]

Since you wish to incorporate your mac I feel your solution will have to be a hardware/software one. I would not recommend running WoW in a VM; as powerful as the 17" MacBook Pro's are (I have one) from my experience with VMware Fusion and Parallels your performance is going to suffer and could cause sync issues. The last thing you want to do is cut your toon's spell casts short because it was lagging behind the rest. If you can afford it I would recommend you check out Vetra, they have USB keyboard MegaCaster's that will allow you to broadcast one keyboard to multiple computers. This will eliminate the need for cross platform broadcasting software, you just need to deal with it on a system to system basis. Then I would suggest you give each machine it's own mouse for easier control, and use Synergy to help with launching and setup. It's not ideal, but it will work, you just need to think about your setup and try to avoid classes that rely too heavily on mouse targeting as you will have no way to broadcast those clicks. Healing can be done through macro's so that should be easy enough.

I've not had personal experience with the USB MegaCaster's, I personally use a PS/2 setup for my multiboxing, but due to your laptops I think this would be impractical (and you don't want to use PS/2 to USB converters.) Vetra has worked great for me so far.

Just something to think about :)