Feature requests
Thursday, July 20, 2006 by Notok | Discussion: Multiplicity
A few things I would really like to see in Multiplicity..
Sync screensaver states between all machines and between machines in use (primary and whatever secondary is being used)
Ability to detect whether keyboard and mouse are present and automatically switch the machine that has them to the primary. I have more systems than I do monitors, so some are shared by a KVM switch.. it would be great to be able to have MP detect which machine I'm using on the KVM and make it primary, and do so seamlessly.
I know this is probably a huge request, but: application sharing. I've been trying to think of ways to combine my networked computers into a more cohesive group and recently saw an application server that allows a client machine to run a program from the server machine, showing the UI on the client (via Terminal Services) while the server does the actual processing, and thought this would be perfect for Multiplicity. I would imagine that you could use this so that you could drag an open window between machines. Like I say, I'm sure that's a big request, but it would make Multiplicity something of a "holy grail" for me, practically erasing the line between two individual machines, and greatly enhancing the dual-display style setup.
A clipboard manager so you can view and choose what to transfer between machines. It would also be really nice if you could have multiple items in the clipboard to choose from. That way you could copy different files from different locations to the clipboard and copy them to another machine all at once. You could also copy a hand full of files and just different ones to different secondary machines. Additionally it would be very nice if you could put shortcuts to other ThinkDesk components in there, so you could highlight a file and then have KeepSafe or ThinkSync take care of it after copying. Drag and drop functionality would be very welcome here, as well as the ability to seemingly drag it between machines. So for example you would open the manager, drop some files in it and copy some text, then just drag the box to the other machine (it wouldn't need to be perfectly smooth) then drag the files you want out into the desired location, at which point it would do the actual copying.
Interface with Theme Manager to keep synchronized themes between machines. For example make it so you could load a WB skin on a primary and secondary system at the same time, and if you select a wallpaper it could split it and set each half to the respective screen.
Sync screensaver states between all machines and between machines in use (primary and whatever secondary is being used)
Ability to detect whether keyboard and mouse are present and automatically switch the machine that has them to the primary. I have more systems than I do monitors, so some are shared by a KVM switch.. it would be great to be able to have MP detect which machine I'm using on the KVM and make it primary, and do so seamlessly.
I know this is probably a huge request, but: application sharing. I've been trying to think of ways to combine my networked computers into a more cohesive group and recently saw an application server that allows a client machine to run a program from the server machine, showing the UI on the client (via Terminal Services) while the server does the actual processing, and thought this would be perfect for Multiplicity. I would imagine that you could use this so that you could drag an open window between machines. Like I say, I'm sure that's a big request, but it would make Multiplicity something of a "holy grail" for me, practically erasing the line between two individual machines, and greatly enhancing the dual-display style setup.
A clipboard manager so you can view and choose what to transfer between machines. It would also be really nice if you could have multiple items in the clipboard to choose from. That way you could copy different files from different locations to the clipboard and copy them to another machine all at once. You could also copy a hand full of files and just different ones to different secondary machines. Additionally it would be very nice if you could put shortcuts to other ThinkDesk components in there, so you could highlight a file and then have KeepSafe or ThinkSync take care of it after copying. Drag and drop functionality would be very welcome here, as well as the ability to seemingly drag it between machines. So for example you would open the manager, drop some files in it and copy some text, then just drag the box to the other machine (it wouldn't need to be perfectly smooth) then drag the files you want out into the desired location, at which point it would do the actual copying.
Interface with Theme Manager to keep synchronized themes between machines. For example make it so you could load a WB skin on a primary and secondary system at the same time, and if you select a wallpaper it could split it and set each half to the respective screen.
Notok
Reply #2 Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:55 PM
Reply #2 Thursday, July 20, 2006 9:55 PM
lol, not so much to ask, is it? [innocent look] When I get on a role it's hard to stop.. I'm sure I could come up with a dozen more 
ZubaZ
Reply #3 Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:36 PM
Reply #3 Thursday, July 20, 2006 10:36 PM
I think what you describe is counter to what MP is. They might all be good suggestions for a differnt app. But if I have a vote . . . Mac and Linux support. Otherwise, do the same thing well or better.
Neil Banfield
Reply #4 Friday, July 21, 2006 5:07 AM
Reply #4 Friday, July 21, 2006 5:07 AM
On the subject of Mac secondary support, a new internal beta has been in testing this week.
ZubaZ
Reply #5 Friday, July 21, 2006 9:22 AM
Stardock rocks!
Reply #5 Friday, July 21, 2006 9:22 AM
| On the subject of Mac secondary support, a new internal beta has been in testing this week. |
Stardock rocks!
Notok
Reply #6 Monday, July 24, 2006 11:12 PM
Reply #6 Monday, July 24, 2006 11:12 PM
I don't see how it would be *counter* to what MP is, although I can see how some might not want all that functionality. I'm basically suggesting to enhance the current ability even more (be able to move windows across monitors, give more power-user options to the clipboard sharing, add "awareness" to the other Stardock apps), *not* turn it into a remote desktop app or anything. Most of it just involves utilizing resources that are already there in many cases, and some of it would ultimately provide incentive for the user to buy other Stardock apps.
In the end, if the user *wanted* to they could go as far as using several/all the Stardock apps (along with some file/folder permissions) to make the two machines work together almost seamlessly, with an interfact unlike any other, without excluding those that don't want to. It would certainly make Stardock hard to contend with in desktop customization
I don't expect all of it to be done, but it's at least food for thought. KVM awareness and a clipboard manager are the two that I want the most, and on a practical level. I don't want to lose control of the other machines when I switch the KVM, but think using Synergy and MP both is kind of a crude solution. I also just wish I could do more with the shared clipboard without installing yet another app that would just overlap.
In the end, if the user *wanted* to they could go as far as using several/all the Stardock apps (along with some file/folder permissions) to make the two machines work together almost seamlessly, with an interfact unlike any other, without excluding those that don't want to. It would certainly make Stardock hard to contend with in desktop customization
I don't expect all of it to be done, but it's at least food for thought. KVM awareness and a clipboard manager are the two that I want the most, and on a practical level. I don't want to lose control of the other machines when I switch the KVM, but think using Synergy and MP both is kind of a crude solution. I also just wish I could do more with the shared clipboard without installing yet another app that would just overlap.
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Reply #1 Thursday, July 20, 2006 6:19 PM