OS X Software: Teleport

Wow. That's all I can say. Freaking BRILLIANT!

Can't wait to see how it progresses.

Okay, so I'm a little confused as to how it works. Is it it Bluetooth or what?

They don't offer any details, but I'm assuming Rendezvous has something to do with it.

That's amazing, and has a lot of potential outside of even the basic two (or more) computers working side-by-side. Imagine how this might help make presentations more interactive, for example. Not only could you allow multiple panel members interact with a single computer/projector from their individual laptops, but you could open it up to the audience for more interaction (like bringing the student to the chalkboard to solve a math problem). Fascinating! I can't wait to play with this software!

Todd & Robert:

According to the Read Me file, Rendezvous is used to locate the controllable hosts. Once the connection is established, the mouse & keyboard data is transferred to the controlled machine with UDP packets (via Airport or a wired Ethernet connection.)

I discovered teleport yesterday and within 5 minutes it had totally changed how I use both my physical and virtual desktops.

I'm a long-time PC user, but have recently made the decision to move to Mac. Software like this is one reason for the move. Software for the Mac just seems to make sense. Plain and simple. And that's how I like it.

Okay, so I hate to be the one to rain on the parade, but I'm a bit confused about the elation over this software.

At first I thought it was a screensharer like Timbuktu (cross platform and easy but expensive,) VNC (cross platform and complicated but free,) or PCAnywhere (not cross platform)... but those are screen *sharers.* Teleportm on the other handm allows you to actually control another machine, but you need to be physically right there to be able to actually see what you are doing.

Now I can understand the comparison to a dual-monitor setup in how you actually *activate* the software, but not in how it's used. Dual monitors means a larger virtual workspace on one computer. This, on the other hand, simply allows you to remotely control a second computer that has a monitor of it's own. You couldn't even use it to control a headless Mac, as you would get no visual feedback.

Now, I'll admit the software is fast (no window-within-a-window to contend with) and slickly implemented, but the usefulness is rather narrow.

I can see it's usefulness for a presentation, where another Mac is already set up to the projector (with PowerPoint or Keynote and your document already installed,) or perhaps when you really don't want to take your hands off your desktop mouse to control your PowerBook a foot away. But that's about it.

I applaud that software like this developed, but wouldn't want anyone to be confused about it's intent. Kudos to the developer for a fine piece of code - I've already installed it on a few of my Macs - but I'm racking my brain for situations when it'll truly be useful. (I guess it's sorta like a virtual KVM switch.)

Now, if this could be done in the reverse, where I could "broadcast" what I was doing on one Mac to many other Macs... I can see how that would be VERY helpful and unique. It could change the way people give presentations (to large groups of laptop-toting attendees,)

"Now, I’ll admit the software is fast (no window-within-a-window to contend with) and slickly implemented, but the usefulness is rather narrow."

Maybe my setup is unique, but here's how it improves my workflow immensely. My PowerBook sits next to my "work" PowerMac, receiving emails, instant messages, etc. When I get a new email I want to reply to, I keep my hand on the same mouse, move it over, and reply. I never have to touch the keyboard / mouse on the laptop. The only thing that moves is the pointer and my own two eyes.

Plus, I can copy a url (or whatever) from my main machine, write an email on the other, and paste the content into it. If I had an image that I wanted to send to a client, but I wasn't receiving / sending email on the email account I wanted to use on my main machine, then this makes it possible.

So...yeah, I'm probably unique here. But since I use both machines for different tasks all day, it's much faster than picking up two mice all the time. Since installing Teleport this morning, I haven't touched the PowerBook's keyboard / mouse once.

This is reaffirming my love of the Macintosh and the future of having great software developed for MacOSX.

Now to save money to purchase a Mac and the associated software. I miss it!

So, real quick, the keyboard is tied to whichever computer has the mouse on its screen?

Todd:

Yep, your scenario was the second one I'd listed in my post: "I can see it’s usefulness ... perhaps when you really don’t want to take your hands off your desktop mouse to control your PowerBook a foot away."

No doubt this software is über-cool, but I guess I was perplexed by it's introduction by way of a "dual monitor" description. (To folks who actually understand what that means and entails, it could be misleading.) To describe it as a virtual keyboard/mouse switch (but which actually works with PowerBooks!) is more appropriate, that's all.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention. It'll be in the back of my mind all day, thinking of cool ways to actually use it. :-)

"So, real quick, the keyboard is tied to whichever computer has the mouse on its screen?"

That's correct. Move the mouse to the other machine, click in a text area, and type away.

Oh yeah, I'd recently seen mention of MaxiVista (for Windows) on TechTV's "Screensavers:"

"This software-based virtual-graphics adapter makes your primary PC think it has an extra monitor installed. To run MaxiVista, you need two machines that share a network connection. The server program will run on your primary PC (Windows 2000, Server 2003, or XP) and the viewer program will work on your secondary PC (Windows 98, Me, NT4, 2000, Server 2003, or XP). See, there's hope for your old Win98 laptop yet. You won't need any additional hardware or video input, which works out great for those of you with a laptop or tablet PC that doesn't have video input."

...so I guess it was just a little wishful thinking on my part.

This appears to be the same idea that the old x2x program for unix used to accomplish. It's not a new concept, but it looks like it might be a pretty good implementation.

Actually he did not introduce this app as a "Dual Monitor Setup", Todd merely said that this app can give you some of the functionality of the Dual monitor setup.

And yes, this app does approximate a dual monitor setup. If you have a laptop and a desktop you can use the laptop monitor as a second monitor within reason. Now granted this is not a true multiple monitor experince but it is close.

And yeah I understand Dual Monitor setups, since I am running three monitors right now at work.

I just gave it a test spin, and I must say I'm highly impressed. Very nice idea - and it simply just works - even though it's beta.

I suppose you need to be connected via ethernet or wireless right? other wise itd be somekind of magic -
You said no cables in you post but his is because of a wirless network right??

The productivity options are endless. I can now play Chopper and work in PS.

Teleport is magic. (If only it could conjure up a second iMac for me at work! Maybe I should have a hypnotist speak to my boss...)

so can you use a powerbook screen as a palette monitor as you would in a typical dual-monitor setup?

i'm not complaining over freeware, but the developer could do much better explaining how the software works, what it does, and scenarios where it is especially useful.

"so can you use a powerbook screen as a palette monitor as you would in a typical dual-monitor setup?"

I probably shouldn't have started this entry w/ the dual monitor comparison, for Teleport does NOT create a mirror of your "main" desktop, nor does it extend it in any way. The only thing Teleport does (and does well) is allow you to use the keyboard / mouse plugged into one Mac to control another. For all intents and purposes, it looks like you're using a mouse plugged into your laptop -- but you're not. The mouse is plugged into your OTHER machine. Ditto for the keyboard.

Yeah, x2x for unix is the same concept, and about six months ago Matt Haughey posted about discovering a similar solution using VNC. Very much the same as Transport, except it works Windows-Windows, Windows-*nix, even Window-Mac, which is the coolest thing ever. The nice thing Transporthas over this solution, it seems, is the great Mac OS integration.

I used to have myself set up with one keyboard and mouse controlling my PC desktop and my Powerbook, and it was amazing. Like I had a dual monitor set up on one machine, except doing something very intensive on one screen wouldn't affect the programs on the other. This was until my Powerbook was stolen two days ago. Now I'm just stuck on the PC. =(

Great idea, can't wait to try it out since I juggle with 2 mices and 2 keyboards all day, this is waaaay better than a KVM switch.

Forget the dual monitor thing altogether....

If you have to work between two macs and are constantly moving around to type on a second keyboard and mouse then this is the program for you. It's a space saver (no more second keyboard or juggling things around on your desk to get at the second keyboard).

I have a two level desk that I built (http://www.giantexplodingheads.com/yay/desk2.jpg , the powerbook usually sits where my scanner is in the pic). The powerbook is all the way to one end which means that I have to move over and reach onto the second level to type. Now, without moving I can easily get at my powerbook.

Excellent, would love to see this wedged into windows as well so I can jump to/from my PB while on the office PC.

I've always wanted an array of screens which allows any number of computers to be hooked to the screen controller. Windows, Mac, Linux, whatever each one shows up as one or more windows on the monitor screens. Put the mouse over the Mac window and you're working with it. Can re-arrange how the windows are layed out, sizes, maybe switch them in/out with key combos.

This looks like a great first step towards something like that.

Excellent, would love to see this wedged into windows as well so I can jump to/from my PB while on the office PC.

I've always wanted an array of screens which allows any number of computers to be hooked to the screen controller. Windows, Mac, Linux, whatever each one shows up as one or more windows on the monitor screens. Put the mouse over the Mac window and you're working with it. Can re-arrange how the windows are layed out, sizes, maybe switch them in/out with key combos.

This looks like a great first step towards something like that.

Excellent, would love to see this wedged into windows as well so I can jump to/from my PB while on the office PC.

I've always wanted an array of screens which allows any number of computers to be hooked to the screen controller. Windows, Mac, Linux, whatever each one shows up as one or more windows on the monitor screens. Put the mouse over the Mac window and you're working with it. Can re-arrange how the windows are layed out, sizes, maybe switch them in/out with key combos.

This looks like a great first step towards something like that.

a nice option for pc users... bring your laptop between home and work to use as a second monitor.

http://www.maxivista.com/

Yes, MaxiVista was already mentioned above, and again, that is a dual-monitor hack (by way of software.)

Teleport is a keyboard/mouse switch.

This has been available for Linux/Unix/Windows for some time in the form of the open-source Synergy software.

So waitaminit... I have a server sitting in my closet that I don't like accessing to administer. Can I make it headless and just use this?

Also - I have a RAID hooked up to it... does it actually "see" external disks and whatnot?

-R

Seems like it was ripped off of MacHack to me; one of the hacks this year was an app that did just exactly that. Hrmmmm...

Try KMRemote for multi-platform goodness.

Not as seemless as Teleport (requires a little more manual configuration vs. Rendezvous), but for those of you with Macs and PCs on your desktop, should be just what you're looking for.

Cost is $25