Announcing Multiplicity
Control multiple computers from a single keyboard and mouse
Wednesday, February 9, 2005 by Stardock Central | Discussion: WinCustomize News
LIVONIA, Mich.----Feb. 9, 2005--Software developer Stardock Corporation
announced a brand new product today, Multiplicity, a program that allows users
to control multiple computers with a single keyboard and mouse. For users, it's
much like using a multiple-monitor setup - when the user moves their mouse to a
monitor connected to a different PC the user is then controlling that computer.
It is not a remote control solution.
A typical configuration would be 2 or 3 computers, each with its own monitor connected to that computer. The primary computer would have the keyboard and mouse hooked up to it. The secondary computers receive input via a network connection about the mouse's location. When the mouse passes onto their screen, the user is in control of that PC.
"It's totally seamless," said Brad Wardell, Product Manager of Multiplicity. "I can be playing a full screen game on one screen and have an instant messaging conversation going on the other computer. I just move my mouse over to the other monitor to type a response and then move it back to continue controlling my character in the game I'm playing."
Multiplicity also provides a universal clipboard between machines. Users can copy images or text from one machine, move their mouse over to another monitor, and paste it. The Pro version of Multiplicity allows users to also copy and paste files and directories between machines.
Stardock plans to target engineering firms, testing centers, power users, gamers, and other markets that tend to have people that may have multiple computers.
"If you've ever sent yourself an email to move a file or piece of data in the same room then you need Multiplicity," said Wardell. "If you are currently in an office where there's keyboard and mice taking over your desk or table, you need Multiplicity."
Multiplicity will come in two forms, standard and professional. Multiplicity standard version will list for $39.95 and supports controlling two computers. Multiplicity Pro will list for $69.95 which supports controlling up to any number of computers as well as supports copying files and folders between machines.
Stardock expects to release Multiplicity by the end of February. Its home page is https://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity
A typical configuration would be 2 or 3 computers, each with its own monitor connected to that computer. The primary computer would have the keyboard and mouse hooked up to it. The secondary computers receive input via a network connection about the mouse's location. When the mouse passes onto their screen, the user is in control of that PC.
"It's totally seamless," said Brad Wardell, Product Manager of Multiplicity. "I can be playing a full screen game on one screen and have an instant messaging conversation going on the other computer. I just move my mouse over to the other monitor to type a response and then move it back to continue controlling my character in the game I'm playing."
Multiplicity also provides a universal clipboard between machines. Users can copy images or text from one machine, move their mouse over to another monitor, and paste it. The Pro version of Multiplicity allows users to also copy and paste files and directories between machines.
Stardock plans to target engineering firms, testing centers, power users, gamers, and other markets that tend to have people that may have multiple computers.
"If you've ever sent yourself an email to move a file or piece of data in the same room then you need Multiplicity," said Wardell. "If you are currently in an office where there's keyboard and mice taking over your desk or table, you need Multiplicity."
Multiplicity will come in two forms, standard and professional. Multiplicity standard version will list for $39.95 and supports controlling two computers. Multiplicity Pro will list for $69.95 which supports controlling up to any number of computers as well as supports copying files and folders between machines.
Stardock expects to release Multiplicity by the end of February. Its home page is https://www.stardock.com/products/multiplicity
Versions:
Multiplicity Standard: $39.95
Multiplicity Pro: $69.95
Requires: Windows 2000 or Windows XP. At least two computers with at
least 1 monitor on each computer.
Developer:
Stardock Corp. (www.stardock.com).
17292 Farmington Rd.
Livonia MI 48152
About Stardock:
Stardock is a Midwestern Windows software development company. It is best known
for creating software that extends and enhances to functionality of Microsoft
Windows. Its principle product is a suite of desktop enhancements called Object
Desktop (www.objectdesktop.com) which includes its popular utilities
WindowBlinds, DesktopX, ObjectBar, IconPackager, SkinStudio, RightClick,
Keyboard LaunchPad, and much more.
It also runs the world's most popular desktop customization website called
WinCustomize.com (www.wincustomize.com) which receives over 3 million unique
visitors each month.
Stardock has also developed popular PC strategy games such as the award winning
Galactic Civilizations (www.galciv.com) and The Political Machine (www.politicalmachine.com).
Its game software is available at retail as well as through its innovative
electronic distribution network TotalGaming.net (www.totalgaming.net).
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Frogboy
Reply #42 Wednesday, February 9, 2005 10:56 PM
Reply #42 Wednesday, February 9, 2005 10:56 PM
| One word "KVM Switch".... |
No, it's not like a KVM switch. We use KVM switches here too. It's a totally different type of use. KVM switches are great if you want to have ONE monitor, ONE keyboard, ONE mouse with lots of computers.
Multiplicity is designed to let a user make use of multiple computers at once. Each computer has at least 1 monitor hooked up to it still. It's a productivity app for letting the user integrate their computing power together.
Kobrano
Reply #43 Thursday, February 10, 2005 12:07 AM
Reply #43 Thursday, February 10, 2005 12:07 AM
I still say Multiplicity screams to be shown in a video. Do a before, with you trying to run a game and chat and stuff at the same time, moving from keyboard/mouse back and forth. Then have you install multiplicity, showing it installs in seconds, and then show you tossing those extra keyboards/mice in the trash and doing it all with multiplicity. Some people just have a huge difficulty understanding what it can do for them, and constantly refer to it as simple KVM switches or Multimonitors. Used to drive me crazy. 
To put it bluntly, after using multiplicity, i'd rather have my arm chopped off than do without it. I'm not kidding.
Hehe.
To put it bluntly, after using multiplicity, i'd rather have my arm chopped off than do without it. I'm not kidding.
Hehe.
c242
Reply #44 Thursday, February 10, 2005 3:06 AM
Reply #44 Thursday, February 10, 2005 3:06 AM
It is like Multi-Monitor. Just with the power of 2 or more machines. 
Like said in another thread :
I have a stand-alone main machine and 3 other machines connected to a KVM-Switch with a secondary monitor, Mouse and Keyboard. This is nevertheless quite handy. Using Synergy at the moment, but I think this one is worth a switch.
Like said in another thread :
I have a stand-alone main machine and 3 other machines connected to a KVM-Switch with a secondary monitor, Mouse and Keyboard. This is nevertheless quite handy. Using Synergy at the moment, but I think this one is worth a switch.
nanotitan
Reply #45 Thursday, February 10, 2005 12:28 PM
Reply #45 Thursday, February 10, 2005 12:28 PM
$70 for the pro version?!! If they're going to be targeting engineering firms and the like, they could get away with charging a WHOLE lot more which will allow them to develop even better and cheaper programs for the lot of us!
Essencay
Reply #46 Thursday, February 10, 2005 2:02 PM
On both machines or just the machine that multiplicity is installed on?
Reply #46 Thursday, February 10, 2005 2:02 PM
| Requires: Windows 2000 or Windows XP. |
On both machines or just the machine that multiplicity is installed on?
[email protected]
Reply #47 Thursday, February 10, 2005 2:31 PM
Reply #47 Thursday, February 10, 2005 2:31 PM
32-bit Windows XP, 2000, or 2003 is required for the primary machine (the one with the keyboard and mouse).
The secondaries can be 32-bit XP, 2000, or 2003 at present. The installer needs some updates, but before 1.0, it'll support 64-bit XP and 2003 as secondaries. Post 1.0, 64-bit XP/2003 should be able to be primary's as well.
OS X support as a secondary is in development. Linux, we'll see what happens in the future.
Multiplicity does not support Windows 95, 98, ME, or NT4.
alphadog
Reply #48 Thursday, February 10, 2005 3:31 PM
Reply #48 Thursday, February 10, 2005 3:31 PM
Kobrano: I do understand what Multiplicity does. You're haughtiness doesn't help the product though.
Multiplicity is basically a combination of K(no-V)M and some remote desktop features into a somewhat unique product. The K and the M are, in fact, shared, contrary to your protests. If you have one peripheral that can influence multiple machines, you are sharing that peripheral.
At any rate, I read Frogboy other article and find that many of the questions posed are also solveable through either KVMs and/or multimonitor setups.
To the smart buyer, Multiplicity will only be of benefit in scenarios where there are:
a) Few computers, likely four or less. Any more, and the cost of that many monitors will heavily weigh in on the 'con' side.
c) One user executing multiple tasks where one or more said tasks must (or really should) occur in the same time. (concurrency)
d) And/or, the same user executing tasks where one or more said tasks take some time and tend to occur at the same time and consume a lot of one system's resources.
This is a very rare occurence indeed. I'm a developer and think that I could maybe make use of Multiplicity. But, I realize that my computing habit and those like me constitute a small market.
Somehow, I think chopped arms are more frequent in the general market.
- alphadog
Multiplicity is basically a combination of K(no-V)M and some remote desktop features into a somewhat unique product. The K and the M are, in fact, shared, contrary to your protests. If you have one peripheral that can influence multiple machines, you are sharing that peripheral.
At any rate, I read Frogboy other article and find that many of the questions posed are also solveable through either KVMs and/or multimonitor setups.
To the smart buyer, Multiplicity will only be of benefit in scenarios where there are:
a) Few computers, likely four or less. Any more, and the cost of that many monitors will heavily weigh in on the 'con' side.
c) One user executing multiple tasks where one or more said tasks must (or really should) occur in the same time. (concurrency)
d) And/or, the same user executing tasks where one or more said tasks take some time and tend to occur at the same time and consume a lot of one system's resources.
This is a very rare occurence indeed. I'm a developer and think that I could maybe make use of Multiplicity. But, I realize that my computing habit and those like me constitute a small market.
Somehow, I think chopped arms are more frequent in the general market.
- alphadog
Kobrano
Reply #49 Thursday, February 10, 2005 10:30 PM
Reply #49 Thursday, February 10, 2005 10:30 PM
I use multiplicity for simple things that used to be highly annoying.. For example, ever install a product on one computer, then type in a rediculously long CD-Key. Then 2 minutes later you want to install the same product on the computer next to it, and don't want to retype all of that? Clip and Paste between machines solves this quite nicely.
Or for example, I will be on one computer messing around, my wife will be on the other, and she will run into trouble, or not know what to click on in whatever program she is working in. I just swing my mouse over to that machine, and do it for her or show her how.
I have dozens of day to day examples of things like this.. You really start to take this stuff for granted after installing Multiplicity. Seriously, I consider it as essential to my computing as having a desk chair. But maybe i'm different? People I show Multiplicity to, seem to fall out of their chair in excitement and are clamouring to know where this cool application can be purchased.
Or for example, I will be on one computer messing around, my wife will be on the other, and she will run into trouble, or not know what to click on in whatever program she is working in. I just swing my mouse over to that machine, and do it for her or show her how.
I have dozens of day to day examples of things like this.. You really start to take this stuff for granted after installing Multiplicity. Seriously, I consider it as essential to my computing as having a desk chair. But maybe i'm different? People I show Multiplicity to, seem to fall out of their chair in excitement and are clamouring to know where this cool application can be purchased.
culverSE
Reply #50 Thursday, February 10, 2005 11:44 PM
WOW, oh please let it come quickly. This would MAKE it the best value of all. (I can never seem to get synergy to work on osx)
Reply #50 Thursday, February 10, 2005 11:44 PM
| OS X support as a secondary |
WOW, oh please let it come quickly. This would MAKE it the best value of all. (I can never seem to get synergy to work on osx)
cakeypower
Reply #51 Friday, February 11, 2005 1:17 AM
Gasp... careful not to get in trouble!
Reply #51 Friday, February 11, 2005 1:17 AM
| I use multiplicity for simple things that used to be highly annoying.. For example, ever install a product on one computer, then type in a rediculously long CD-Key. Then 2 minutes later you want to install the same product on the computer next to it, and don't want to retype all of that? Clip and Paste between machines solves this quite nicely. |
Gasp... careful not to get in trouble!
ScottAdams
Reply #52 Friday, February 11, 2005 9:33 AM
Reply #52 Friday, February 11, 2005 9:33 AM
My use is simple and multiplicity is perfect for it.
Running multiple characters in MOGs. And yes there are many of us hydra players out there. Folks have many reasons to run hydras in Massive Online Games.
1) no waiting on groups
2) having all the utility spells at your beck and call
3) No sharing loot
4) No arguing with pick up groups
5) freedom to make your own mistakes without effecting others
6) challenge of multiple characters at once
And yes I am very social too, I run the 3rd largest guild on my server and have lots of friends I play with. Frequently I will either add them to my mini group or break out just one or two characters and play with them.
Scott Adams
www.vindicators.net
Running multiple characters in MOGs. And yes there are many of us hydra players out there. Folks have many reasons to run hydras in Massive Online Games.
1) no waiting on groups
2) having all the utility spells at your beck and call
3) No sharing loot
4) No arguing with pick up groups
5) freedom to make your own mistakes without effecting others
6) challenge of multiple characters at once
And yes I am very social too, I run the 3rd largest guild on my server and have lots of friends I play with. Frequently I will either add them to my mini group or break out just one or two characters and play with them.
Scott Adams
www.vindicators.net
ZubaZ
Reply #53 Friday, February 11, 2005 11:52 AM
Kobrano, it the above situation, I would assume that your wife is sitting right next to you, so you can see her monitor?
I also assume that she is using a mouse and keyboard, do you take control of her cursor when you move from your primary to her PC?
What happens if she uses the connected mouse at the same time?
Only ten days until release.
Reply #53 Friday, February 11, 2005 11:52 AM
| Or for example, I will be on one computer messing around, my wife will be on the other, and she will run into trouble, or not know what to click on in whatever program she is working in. I just swing my mouse over to that machine, and do it for her or show her how. |
Kobrano, it the above situation, I would assume that your wife is sitting right next to you, so you can see her monitor?
I also assume that she is using a mouse and keyboard, do you take control of her cursor when you move from your primary to her PC?
What happens if she uses the connected mouse at the same time?
Only ten days until release.
ZubaZ
Reply #54 Friday, February 11, 2005 12:11 PM
It will be interesting to see how Stardock markets Multiplicity to gamers . . . not a HUGE demographic you see at WinCustomize (unless you count Brad as a huge demographic). It almost seems like a fit in TotalGaming.net.
Reply #54 Friday, February 11, 2005 12:11 PM
| Running multiple characters in MOGs |
It will be interesting to see how Stardock markets Multiplicity to gamers . . . not a HUGE demographic you see at WinCustomize (unless you count Brad as a huge demographic
). It almost seems like a fit in TotalGaming.net.
caseagainstfaith
Reply #55 Friday, February 11, 2005 2:57 PM
Reply #55 Friday, February 11, 2005 2:57 PM
I saw one other mention of Win2VNC in the above discussion. I hadn't used it, nor Multiplicity. But, if I was wanting a solution like that, I would probably at least look at both. I do use regular VNC for remote control. And, yes, some Open Source projects die out due to nobody willing to work on them, and others do well. VNC seems to do well. I don't know about the Win2VNC incarnation. But given that it is based on VNC, I would expect it to be fairly good. I'm not trying to rant, I'm just curious about people who have tried Win2VNC and how well it works.
Surj
Reply #56 Friday, February 11, 2005 6:58 PM
Reply #56 Friday, February 11, 2005 6:58 PM
its a totally different system, but how about being able to use a laptop screen as a secondary screen over a network? I know theres software already out there but id much rather trust stardock to make it. if it already does this, im sold, just tell me 
ZubaZ
Reply #57 Monday, February 21, 2005 3:17 PM
Reply #57 Monday, February 21, 2005 3:17 PM
Today is the scheduled release date.
How's that whole multiplicity thing going?
How's that whole multiplicity thing going?
ZubaZ
Reply #58 Tuesday, February 22, 2005 3:11 PM
Reply #58 Tuesday, February 22, 2005 3:11 PM
I am in love!
The setup was a breeze! The flow of mouse from PC to talblet is seamless! The copy and pasting of text just works!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The setup was a breeze! The flow of mouse from PC to talblet is seamless! The copy and pasting of text just works!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Woodbridge
Reply #59 Tuesday, February 22, 2005 7:15 PM
Reply #59 Tuesday, February 22, 2005 7:15 PM
My Multiplicity serial arrived in my inbox. Just need to wait untill I get into work to start using it
Alternate Setting
Reply #60 Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:48 AM
Reply #60 Wednesday, February 23, 2005 1:48 AM
I just downloaded the trial version - linked my laptop (Primary) to my desktop (Secondary) using the wizard in just a couple of minutes, including rebooting. All seems to be as it should.
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Reply #41 Wednesday, February 9, 2005 10:18 PM