Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
On 2003-09-24 21:45, Onno Benschop [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
A single mouse click is needed to move all laptops forward one slide to keep
all presentation in sync with each other.
Which OS are the laptops running?
Which presentation software are they running?
I ask because IMHO this is looking for a software solution, not a
hardware one.
Nonsense Onno ;)
1) Take six optical Apple Pro Mice. They can be easily captured from
most Pro Apple Users, who won't put up much of a fight over them.
2) Adjust the click tension on them to minimum by rotating the control
on the base towards the '-'. The UN is unlikely to complain, despite
international agreements against the manipulation of prisoners.
3) Tape a ruler across the top of them.
4) Press the ruler, depressing the mice. Wait for Dubya to declare war
on the ruler in the name of freeing the mice.
Okay it might work, or it might be merely result of my reading too much
history at 2am.
Onno is actually right though, as usual... software is much more elegant, if
more likely to fail spectacularly when needed most. Assuming you're using
Mac OS X and Powerpoint (not too bad an assumption, this is a MUG and you've
not told us otherwise, USB Apple laptops are likely to be OS X capable, and
PC laptops probably still have ports other than USB for mice)...
1) On each computer, turn on Remote Apple Events in the Sharing
preference panel.
2) Network the laptops (might require bringing a small hub?)
3) Install the Sändi's Additions OSAX (available from Info-Mac) onto
each computer.
4) write an AppleScript containing something like:
Tell application PowerPoint of machine eppc://user:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
activate --only active app can receive mouse events
MouseClick At {100, 100}
End tell
...only repeated for each target machine. Then every time you run this
script, all of the computers will click once. Look Ma, no mice! A variation
on this method could be used to control the machines in other ways, such as
opening a particular PowerPoint file.
The downside of this approach is that you need to use one machine as
the controlling computer. PowerPoint does support multiple screens, but it
seems to want to be the frontmost application all the time while it's
presenting.
It's certainly an interesting problem you have Shane...
Ry
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Now this is a totally brain damaged algorithm. Gag me with a smurfette.
P. Buhr, Computer Science 354
Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
Have tried the wireless option, but found that some use different
frequencies, some are switchable, but do not recognise each other and
various other problems. Think we would need to have one specifically built.
Yes, it is very much a theatre scenario. Event is major awards evening -
similar, but nothing like the Logies/Brownlow, etc. We will be running 3
laptops to 5 screens plus a back-up system, cameras, lights, sound, etc.
I have spoken to a gent in Sydney www.szikla.com who manufactures such
devices that utilise microphone cable and a switching device. He has
specifically built mice for just this purpose and attaches them all via a
single rack mount switching unit.
Worth a look.
Also a big thanks to you all, fantastic list and group of people.
Cheers
Shane
On 9/25/03 3:15 AM, Ryan Jay Schotte [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
On 2003-09-24 21:45, Onno Benschop [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
A single mouse click is needed to move all laptops forward one slide to keep
all presentation in sync with each other.
Which OS are the laptops running?
Which presentation software are they running?
I ask because IMHO this is looking for a software solution, not a
hardware one.
Nonsense Onno ;)
1) Take six optical Apple Pro Mice. They can be easily captured from
most Pro Apple Users, who won't put up much of a fight over them.
2) Adjust the click tension on them to minimum by rotating the control
on the base towards the '-'. The UN is unlikely to complain, despite
international agreements against the manipulation of prisoners.
3) Tape a ruler across the top of them.
4) Press the ruler, depressing the mice. Wait for Dubya to declare war
on the ruler in the name of freeing the mice.
Okay it might work, or it might be merely result of my reading too much
history at 2am.
Onno is actually right though, as usual... software is much more elegant, if
more likely to fail spectacularly when needed most. Assuming you're using
Mac OS X and Powerpoint (not too bad an assumption, this is a MUG and you've
not told us otherwise, USB Apple laptops are likely to be OS X capable, and
PC laptops probably still have ports other than USB for mice)...
1) On each computer, turn on Remote Apple Events in the Sharing
preference panel.
2) Network the laptops (might require bringing a small hub?)
3) Install the Sändi's Additions OSAX (available from Info-Mac) onto
each computer.
4) write an AppleScript containing something like:
Tell application PowerPoint of machine eppc://user:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
activate --only active app can receive mouse events
MouseClick At {100, 100}
End tell
...only repeated for each target machine. Then every time you run this
script, all of the computers will click once. Look Ma, no mice! A variation
on this method could be used to control the machines in other ways, such as
opening a particular PowerPoint file.
The downside of this approach is that you need to use one machine as
the controlling computer. PowerPoint does support multiple screens, but it
seems to want to be the frontmost application all the time while it's
presenting.
It's certainly an interesting problem you have Shane...
Ry
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
You didn't answer my questions about platform, because if you're going to run a cable anyway, it might as well be an Ethernet lead. As Ryan pointed out you could script it, but I hadn't proposed a solution yet because of the platform issue. The reliability issues are IMHO a non-event. A long mouse cable is likely to be less reliable than an Ethernet cable. USB can be a max of 5m - but you could put amplifiers (hubs) along the way. Really, you should in my opinion not be looking at a hardware solution. So, what is the platform that you're using? Onno Benschop Connected via Optus B3 at S15:51'18 - E128:45'05 (Crossing Falls, Kununurra, WA) -- ()/)/)()..ASCII for Onno.. |?..EBCDIC for Onno.. --- -. -. --- ..Morse for Onno.. Proudly supported by Skipper Trucks, Highway1, Concept AV, Sony Central, Dalcon ITmaze - ABN: 56 178 057 063 - ph: 04 1219 - onno at itmaze dot com dot au
Dual Laptop - single mouse
Hi all, Has anyone had experience with running two laptops of the one mouse thru USB. Is a simple Y-splitter all that is required or would I require a proprietary product (eg: hub or similar). TIA ___ Shane Webster Multimedia Manager Corporate Theatre Productions Pty Ltd Perth Australia Tel (618) 9478 5678 Fax (618) 9478 5679 email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Web: www.corporatetheatreproductions.com.au
RE: Dual Laptop - single mouse
-Original Message- From: WAMUG Mailing List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Shane Webster Sent: Wednesday, 24 September 2003 1:14 PM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Dual Laptop - single mouse Hi all, Has anyone had experience with running two laptops of the one mouse thru USB. Is a simple Y-splitter all that is required or would I require a proprietary product (eg: hub or similar). TIA Ok First why would you want to ? IT is very hard to get two machines to track exactly. So your cursor would be in different positions on both. Second USB 1.X and 2.x standards only allow for one bus master (USB2GO may be different but it is still in draft stages) Unless you are talking of a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) sharing, then you would need a KVM box to use each laptop one at a time with the one mouse. So I can keep guessing all day long, but if you say what you want to end up with I can help further. Regards, Kat. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003
Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
OK - Here we go. We run multi-screen presentations using upto 5-6 laptops at once. On most occasions its only 2 laptops, but an event coming up we will require 6. A single mouse click is needed to move all laptops forward one slide to keep all presentation in sync with each other. We have been using a serial splitter with some older laptops, but now the latest and more modern laptops are proving a bit too smart. Cursor position is not an issue as they do not go to screen. Hope this helps you help me. Thanks Shane On 9/24/03 3:08 PM, Katinka Mills [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: -Original Message- From: WAMUG Mailing List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Shane Webster Sent: Wednesday, 24 September 2003 1:14 PM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Dual Laptop - single mouse Hi all, Has anyone had experience with running two laptops of the one mouse thru USB. Is a simple Y-splitter all that is required or would I require a proprietary product (eg: hub or similar). TIA Ok First why would you want to ? IT is very hard to get two machines to track exactly. So your cursor would be in different positions on both. Second USB 1.X and 2.x standards only allow for one bus master (USB2GO may be different but it is still in draft stages) Unless you are talking of a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) sharing, then you would need a KVM box to use each laptop one at a time with the one mouse. So I can keep guessing all day long, but if you say what you want to end up with I can help further. Regards, Kat. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003 -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml Guidelines - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml Unsubscribe - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] WAMUG is powered by Stalker CommuniGatePro
RE: Dual Laptop - single mouse
how long till the presentation ? K.A.Q. Electronics shameless plug Can make custom USB hardware. We are just waiting on a new chip to arrive, which should drop the cost of our USB interfaces even more. I am not sure of anything off the shelf in the market, as most devices control one host at a time :o( Regards, Kat. -Original Message- From: WAMUG Mailing List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Shane Webster Sent: Wednesday, 24 September 2003 4:52 PM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse OK - Here we go. We run multi-screen presentations using upto 5-6 laptops at once. On most occasions its only 2 laptops, but an event coming up we will require 6. A single mouse click is needed to move all laptops forward one slide to keep all presentation in sync with each other. We have been using a serial splitter with some older laptops, but now the latest and more modern laptops are proving a bit too smart. Cursor position is not an issue as they do not go to screen. Hope this helps you help me. Thanks Shane On 9/24/03 3:08 PM, Katinka Mills [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: -Original Message- From: WAMUG Mailing List [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Shane Webster Sent: Wednesday, 24 September 2003 1:14 PM To: WAMUG Mailing List Subject: Dual Laptop - single mouse Hi all, Has anyone had experience with running two laptops of the one mouse thru USB. Is a simple Y-splitter all that is required or would I require a proprietary product (eg: hub or similar). TIA Ok First why would you want to ? IT is very hard to get two machines to track exactly. So your cursor would be in different positions on both. Second USB 1.X and 2.x standards only allow for one bus master (USB2GO may be different but it is still in draft stages) Unless you are talking of a KVM (Keyboard Video Mouse) sharing, then you would need a KVM box to use each laptop one at a time with the one mouse. So I can keep guessing all day long, but if you say what you want to end up with I can help further. Regards, Kat. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003 -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml Guidelines - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml Unsubscribe - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] WAMUG is powered by Stalker CommuniGatePro -- The WA Macintosh User Group Mailing List -- Archives - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/archives.shtml Guidelines - http://www.wamug.org.au/mailinglist/guidelines.shtml Unsubscribe - mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] WAMUG is powered by Stalker CommuniGatePro --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.443 / Virus Database: 248 - Release Date: 10/01/2003
Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
On Wed, 2003-09-24 at 16:51, Shane Webster wrote: OK - Here we go. We run multi-screen presentations using upto 5-6 laptops at once. On most occasions its only 2 laptops, but an event coming up we will require 6. A single mouse click is needed to move all laptops forward one slide to keep all presentation in sync with each other. Which OS are the laptops running? Which presentation software are they running? I ask because IMHO this is looking for a software solution, not a hardware one. Onno Benschop Connected via Optus B3 at S15:51'18 - E128:45'05 (Crossing Falls, Kununurra, WA) -- ()/)/)()..ASCII for Onno.. |?..EBCDIC for Onno.. --- -. -. --- ..Morse for Onno.. Proudly supported by Skipper Trucks, Highway1, Concept AV, Sony Central, Dalcon ITmaze - ABN: 56 178 057 063 - ph: 04 1219 - onno at itmaze dot com dot au
Re: Dual Laptop - single mouse
At 1:13 PM +0800 9/24/03, Shane Webster wrote: Hi all, Has anyone had experience with running two laptops of the one mouse thru USB. Is a simple Y-splitter all that is required or would I require a proprietary product (eg: hub or similar). Not sure exactly what sort of presentation would need six screens running all at once, or is this some sort of theatre type scenario? Anyway, have you considered some sort of wireless solution? Could be a bit expensive, but six of the same type all sending on the same channel might work, and be a bit less hacky. If the laptops are all close together, then the IR type would work, not sure how expensive those sorts of things get though. Hope that helps, Anthony -- HyPEraCtiVE? HeY, WhO aRE YoU cALliNg HypERaCtIve?! [EMAIL PROTECTED]
