KVM switch alternative, share a single keyboard and mouse across multiple computers

Using multiple computers at work or at home is increasing day by day. Most of the computer users uses multiple computers at a single point of time.

Thus it becomes difficult to manage multiple keyboard and mouse attached to each computer. If you are using multiple keyboard and mouse it is difficult to manage in terms of space as well as usability.

To avoid the hassle of managing multiple keyboard and mouse you can install KVM switch to share the single keyboard and mouse across multiple solution. However what if you do not want to purchase KVM switch.

Here is a solution which can help you in sharing a single keyboard and mouse across multiple computers without KVM switch and help you save $.

By using Synergy application you can share single keyboard and mouse across multiple computers without using KVM switch. Synergy is a free and open source software.

Please note Synergy helps you in sharing the keyboard and mouse not computer monitor. The computers will still be connected to respective monitors and by using Synergy you can share keyboard and mouse.



To let Synergy work, you would need standard network connectivity between the computers.The following are the major features of Synergy :

1. You can simply move mouse from one computer to another computer.
2. Copy and Paste operations are supported across multiple computers.
3. Use multiple monitors on a single computer.

To configure Synergy you would need to install a server and client components. The server is the main computer on which keyboard and mouse is connected. The clients do not have keyboard and mouse connected.

Synergy is supported on following operating system:

1. Microsoft Windows XP,Vista and 7.
2. Mac OS X 10.4,10.5,10.6
3. Ubuntu
4. Debian
5. Fedora
6. Red Hat

Synergy can be downloaded from here


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Process billing and sell from within Android applications

If you are a Android developer, this is a good news for you. Google has introduced Android in-app billing. In-app billing allows developers to process financial transactions from within Android application.

The developers can use in-app billing to sell photos, media, service etc. In-app billing is a part of Android market service. To use in-app billing, it is not required to open any special account. The standard Android market publisher account along with Google checkout merchant account will work.

The following are the benefits of using Android in-app billing.

1. The financial transactions are handled by Android Market place thus offers more security and sense of confidence to end users of the application about secure financial transaction.

2. This is a very good option for small startup and individual developers who can not afford initial high cost of setting up of payment gateways.

3. The developers pays 30% as transaction fees.

4. In-app payment uses same checkout service as used for application purchase. This provides application users using the same known interface.

5. The developers can get all required samples and detailed instructions to add products, process payments handle refunds.

More details about Android in-app billing is available from here

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Top 5 most read post of May 2011

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Automatic online backups with AVG LiveKive

In one of the previous post we discussed about importance of backup and about online service provided by Amazon known as Amazon Cloud Drive. Recently AVG has also launched a similar service for online backups known as AVG LiveKive.

The one of the important feature of LiveKive is its ability to automatically synchronize files across Mac, PC and laptops. With LiveKive you can schedule automatic backups for the files and folders on LiveKive storage. LiveKive has incremental backup, which allows to only upload changed documents.

You can share photos, music and other files with family and friends. LiveKive allows to share files safely with anyone.

The files stored online can be accessed from smart devices like iPhone, iPad and Android phone.

The LiveKive application is supported on following :

1. Microsoft Windows XP
2. Microsoft Windows Vista
3. Microsoft Windows 7
4. MAC OS X 10.5 or later
5. Android
6. iOS

LiveKive storage space of 5 GB is available free of cost. Further AVG subscription is available at $49.99 for 25 GB storage space and $79.99 for unlimited storage space. You can check LiveKive from http://www.avg.com/us-en/avg-livekive




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GNOME 3 the new Linux desktop

If you are a Linux user, you must have used GNOME. But have you recently checked GNOME 3 ?. GNOME 3 is a first major release of GNOME in last 9 years and provides new interactive features and new look and feel for today's applications.

GNOME 3 has got new visual themes, easy to use desktop and new look and feel. Here are few of the other  new enhancements in GNOME 3.

1. Quicker application access : You can access applications faster in GNOME 3 by clicking the logo key and entering the initial letters of the application. The recently used apps are displayed on dash at the left side. You can even add an application to favorite.

2. Deeper hardware integration : GNOME 3 has got deeper integration with hardware. GNOME 3 will only show the options supported specifically by hardware. It also supports hardware acceleration.

3. Improved notification management : In GNOME 3 you can view and reply to instant messages at ease without any distraction or application switch.



4. Uncluttered desktop : If any application is launched previously in GNOME 3 and any new instance of previously running application is launched, the previously running instance is focused. This feature works for those applications as well which can have multiple instances. It helps in keeping your work environment clean. 

5. Workspace : In GNOME 3 you can add or remove workspaces.If you have multiple windows opened up at the same time you can drag and drop the windows on to the workspace. Keyboard shortcuts are available for switching applications and workspace. 

6. Windows interaction : In GNOME3 you can maximize the window size by simply dragging it to the top of screen. The window can be returned to its previous size by holding the top of window and dragging it down. Two windows can be viewed side by side by simply snapping to left and right side of screen. 

GNOME 3 is available on latest distribution of openSUSE and Fedora. 


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