From mboxrd@z Thu Jan  1 00:00:00 1970
Date: Thu,  6 Apr 2000 11:34:31 +0200
From: Lucio De Re lucio@proxima.alt.za
Subject: [9fans] VMWare
Topicbox-Message-UUID: a0cafabe-eac8-11e9-9e20-41e7f4b1d025
Message-ID: <20000406093431.X_CCB3EvoFtvjRF4RLBIFx6JWdPcppAPVOvmPV_LDIQ@z>

On Wed, Apr 05, 2000 at 09:30:28PM -0400, dhog@plan9.bell-labs.com wrote:
> 
> You might want to consider a hardware solution: there are a variety
> of switcher boxes available for connecting a VGA monitor, mouse and
> keyboard to multiple computers, such that you can switch between them.
> 
Distance and cable tangle are the "con"s in this scenario.

> The cheaper ones contain no active electronics; I've used one of these,
> and it degraded the video signal somewhat, causing annoying artifacts
> on the screen.  I've since switched to the Raritan SwitchMan, and I'm
> quite happy with it.  Cost may be a concern, but remember, it's cheaper
> than getting more monitors (and less space-consuming).
> 
I totally agree.  I have a (literally) switch box, but it's a nightmare.
VNC is not quite the answer, either, as it and X add up to a formidable
resource famine :-)  I also can't bring myself to look at the Plan 9
Xserver (I do have only ix86 boxes to deal with), because my skills and
time availability make this impractical.

I do have a few monitors (and lots of identical keyboard, because I'm
sure their lifespan is limited).  While on topic, it is seldom that
mechanical switch boxes use break-before-make switching, and that has
caused the odd monitor to blow, in my experience.

++L