1 PC w' Many Users?

D

Dario D.

Gawd
Joined
Dec 8, 2004
Messages
582
Hi all. I was just wondering if it's possible to setup some kind of internet station where a whole bunch of people can use multiple monitors, keyboards, and mice all running off one computer. (whether it's Windows or Linux, etc, doesn't matter)

Later this year, I plan to setup some survey stations that I can put somewhere (like at a rented spot in a mall or something), so people can come and fill out an online survey (about society, life, and issues), in exchange for free gift cards, etc. I just don't want to have to buy 8 computers to do it... I'd rather just buy 8 cheap, old LCD's, and some $1 mice and keyboards, then run them all off of a powerful laptop or PC with multiple cores. (though Firefox/Opera might not NEED that much power - would have to test)

Is there some kind of splitter, and a program that lets you do this?
 
gahh, i know theres a program for it, i stumbled on it a while ago. If i remember, i will post a link.

But it can be done :D
 
Userful Desktop Multiplier for linux. Also search for multiseat x.

Other solutions

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/XFree-Local-multi-user-HOWTO/index.html

http://linuxgazette.net/124/smith.html

http://www.linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2005120700126OSDTHL

Some company had a hardware/software solution to do it with windows xp too. Think it was jetway.

ncomputing.com does a hardware solution that works with windows.

Also if you are doing this don't skimp on cheap shitting old monitors and whatnot. Get some new monitors, keyboards, and mice and look porfessional.
 
Thanks, all! Really helpful. :)

Lots more options today than there were, say, 3 years ago (according to some old pages I dug up).

Also if you are doing this don't skimp on cheap shitting old monitors and whatnot. Get some new monitors, keyboards, and mice and look porfessional.
Click to expand...
lol, yeah, I see it the same way. I found a bunch of cheap LCD's (in good shape) on eBay... one buyer selling a whole ton of them. As for mice, I plan on getting nice-looking Logitech Optical Wheel-mice (were $5 a few years ago - not sure about now), and a standard white KB. The station will likely be lit under some nice, bright studio lights ($20 at Home Depot - got some in my room)...

I'm just still trying to figure out what to do about the background (and sign) and main base of the station. I'll need some kind of desk surface, and maybe a 3-dimensional printed sign. There's a sign-making shop nearby, where I've had some posters made before, of my artwork, for my room. They do anything with a logo on it, from business cards to giant Union 76 balls.
 
Go for black keyboards and mice. The white ones will be harder to keep looking clean.
 
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