Question about broadcasting/single keyboard

I am just getting into this, I'm starting by using 2 boxes, my wife's and my own to level our characters when the other isn't around. Though it's quickly becoming addicting and I'll probably look at doing more later.

But I am still new and I am trying to figure out if there is a way using software to use one keyboard's input for both computers. I want basically both characters to mirror each other and do exactly the same thing so there's no need for follow. Is it possible to do this without hardware?

I've been looking around and haven't seen this specifically mentioned, at least not fully explained.

Thanks

There are several choices, two of those are Synergy and Multibox, there's also KeyClone but I'm not entirely sure if it works over a LAN? Correct me if I'm wrong.

Please do read the forum and search some threads, a lot of things have been covered!

Keyclone or AHK, Keyclone is faster to setup for beginers and easy to use, costs $10 per machine. AHK I havn't tried out but you need to create scripts for it and it's learning curve is apparently higher. Both are listed on the forums :)

Synergy has this capability? So far I haven't been able to get much use out of synergy except to switch screens with the mouse before you can control the 2nd machine, then you lose control of the first.

So I'm not sure that Synergy does what I'm looking for, which is to control both at exactly the same time. If it does, I would definitely appreciate being pointed in the right direction to set that up.

Also, AHK seemed to be for running two instances of WoW on 1 machine. I'm using two machines, does it do that too?

Keyclone definately runs either: several copies of WoW on one machine, 1 copy of WoW on each machine over as many machines as you like. I currently use it to run 1 on my main PC and 4 more over 2 PCs (1/2/2) with great ease.

Highly recommended for the small price to buy the software. The creator is also very active on the forums and is happy to help with any bugs you discover etc :)

There is a key broadcasting version of Synergy linked in Ellay's thread here:
http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=15

Ellay says:
I personally use this application and love its functionality. Allows you to seamlessly transition from 1 PC to another simply by moving your mouse to that screen or through the use of hotkeys. Once you've moved over to another PC your keyboard and mouse have complete functionality.

Each PC does require it's own monitor, it just enables you to control all with 1 keyboard and mouse. Setup time does take a bit, but is well worth the time spent.

Stealthy Says:
I started using this becuase multibox was very unstable on my machine and haven't looked back. Mousing between the 5 screens is a breeze, and it makes the collection quests a lot less tedious. Key broadcasting can be toggled on and off with any key you set it up as (I use the ` key).
Just remember when setting up your monitor configuration, you must not only specify that 'monitor 1' is to the left of 'monitor 2', but also that 'monitor 2' its to the right of 'monitor 1'. Otherwise your mouse will get stuck in one screen when you move it over.

Cheers,
Stealthy

the functionality of synergy and keyclone are very different.

synergy enables you to use a single keyboard/mouse and move between the two desktops... working on each, individually, as though the keyboard and mouse were solely for that machine. for multi-boxers, this is very useful for running new instances on the various machines... but its a pain in the a** to mouse around to each machine hitting 'F1' for fireball.

keyclone, on the other hand, 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. theoretically, you could have a vast array of computers, each running keyclone and 1+ instances of wow, all connected... and a single 'F1' would launch a sh*tstorm on the enemy. (muahahaha)

this is obviously very useful for multi-boxers. (additional functionality is available, but you get the idea)

personally, i use both while multi-boxing. synergy for launching the apps, and keyclone for playing/synchronizing

Thanks for the responses.

I picked up keyclone and it works very well. I'm still using synergy as well to ease picking up quests and such and I'm getting the hang of keyclone so eventually I will try even more advanced setups.

This is becoming highly addicting