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Geek Culture / Multiple Laptop Sharing

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Oolite
19
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Joined: 28th Sep 2005
Location: Middle of the West
Posted: 18th Sep 2011 15:34
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So I own two laptops, one I use for developing low budget flash/mobile games and an older more powerful one that I mainly use for playing games.

I have a couple of questions and one really unrelated question.
1. Is there a simple way to share the screen space that the two laptops provide? The missus stole the TV I was using as a second monitor for the bedroom and I'm missing the extra space it gave me.
2.Keeping the two laptops running separately, is there a way to quickly share files between laptops? I know I can set up a network sharing folder and save stuff into that but, if possible, I'd like to directly link certain files in my current folder structure to be grabbed from the other laptop as they are updated. Hope this makes sense.

Here is my unrelated question because I didn't see the point in starting up a new thread.
I'm willing to pay for my apple developers license and I'm willing to pay for a copy of OSX, but i'm not prepared to pay for a mac just for iphone development.
Now I do know there are plenty of windows emulators that support running OSX through windows but I want peoples thoughts on what the best route is. It needs to run relatively fast (fast enough to produce and test code) and be stable enough to support long term development. Does anyone have any experience in doing this and can give me a little advice on what to avoid and what to go with?
Also, I don't mind paying for a top quality Virtual Emulator as long as it's guaranteed to work, but if it shows no significant advantages over the free equivalent then I'd like to avoid it if possible.

Cheers.
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Quik
16
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Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 18th Sep 2011 21:57
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Quote: "2.Keeping the two laptops running separately, is there a way to quickly share files between laptops"


http://www.dropbox.com/

and for the record, I am a man.

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zenassem
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Joined: 10th Mar 2003
Location: Long Island, NY
Posted: 19th Sep 2011 11:55 Edited at: 19th Sep 2011 12:37
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[edit] found a free alternative. (I haven't used either program)

Free solution ZoneScreen ZoneOS
http://www.zoneos.com/zonescreen.htm

ZoneScreen is a tool for extending your desktop workspace using displays of network connected computers or portable devices like Pocket PC. Like VNC, ZoneScreen is able to mirror local desktop to another computer in the network. The main difference is that it also allows extend desktop, just like the case when you have second monitor connected.

All you need for ZoneScreen to work is network connection between your devices (your computers are both connected to the same network, or connected directly with cross-over cable or 1394 firewire cable, etc). In case you are using Poket PC, you may use connection provided by ActiveSync (using cradle cable, IR port, etc).

Extending functionality is supported for computers running Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP (x86 and x64). Windows Server 2008, Windows Vista and Windows 7 support is limited.

--------------

Paid solution is Maxivista
(Free trial : $39.95 standard : 49.95 Pro : $99.95 Mirror Pro)

http://www.maxivista.com/
Multi Monitor Software
MaxiVista allows you to use a Laptop as a second monitor for your primary computer [which can be another laptop]. No extra multi monitor hardware is required. Simply extend program windows across multiple screens as if it were one big monitor. Increase your productivity by using a multiple monitor software.

Features


Your signature has been erased by a mod please reduce it to 600 x 120.
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Oolite
19
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Posted: 20th Sep 2011 18:20
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Cheers zenassem, thats exactly what I was looking for.

As for dropbox, I have it set up but it's not really ideal, especially because they are on the same network I can just use a network sharing folder and be done with it.

Anyone have any ideas/experience on running OSX inside of windows then? I've been reading about needing an intel based computer to run it, which I do have, but I don't want to rush out and buy a copy of osx if it's not going to work.
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Quik
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Location: Equestria!
Posted: 20th Sep 2011 19:46
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Quote: "As for dropbox, I have it set up but it's not really ideal, especially because they are on the same network I can just use a network sharing folder and be done with it."


if you wish, but dropbox will store it if you go to japan for a year aswell, and link em up at your will..

what i like with dropbox is that you just save EVERYTHING there and it updates it instantly, works fine for me atleast

and for the record, I am a man.

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Oolite
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Posted: 20th Sep 2011 21:27
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Don't get me wrong, dropbox is great. I use it to back stuff up and share between friends. But when the laptops are right next to each other there isn't any point. What I was really after is being able to access and edit file c:\gamestuff\project\textures\image.jpg on laptop 1, whilst i'm on laptop 2. Just to save all the copy and paste. My older laptop is more powerful and has dedicated graphics so I like to edit my models and create textures using that, then I use my newer and less powerful laptop to program and create the actual game.
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Quik
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Location: Equestria!
Posted: 20th Sep 2011 21:32
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Quote: "Don't get me wrong, dropbox is great. I use it to back stuff up and share between friends. But when the laptops are right next to each other there isn't any point. What I was really after is being able to access and edit file c:\gamestuff\project\textures\image.jpg on laptop 1, whilst i'm on laptop 2. Just to save all the copy and paste. My older laptop is more powerful and has dedicated graphics so I like to edit my models and create textures using that, then I use my newer and less powerful laptop to program and create the actual game."



but you can do that in dropbox... x)

and for the record, I am a man.

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Oolite
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Posted: 20th Sep 2011 21:54
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Please elaborate.
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Quik
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Posted: 20th Sep 2011 22:20
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since with dropbox you have a folder: "dropbox" in dropbox you have your project folder, which is linked to a database and your computers.
Everything you save in that folder is instantly saved in your computer, the database, and immediatly (as soon as contact appears) sent to the other computers linked to it.

you can cimply work in dropbox the whole time and then pick up the other computer and immediatly continue working from where you left of.



however, one downside would be size limitations, 2gb is the free number, more gb store space and you would have to pay

and for the record, I am a man.

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Silvester
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Posted: 20th Sep 2011 22:26
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Ubuntu One has a Windows Beta version, which is basically the same as a DropBox, and offers 5gb of free space.. It syncs a local folder, and any other folder you set up for it. And ofcourse deletes files you delete as well.

I use it for both my laptops, my netbook and my desktop. Seems to work fairly well so far.
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Oolite
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Posted: 21st Sep 2011 15:14
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I know that's how dropbox works but my point was that I don't want to work in a shared folder, I have a nice little folder set up for all of my work and don't feel like dropping all of that into the dropbox folder

I've had very little sleep for the past week bug squashing in my new game. Completely forgot that in windows 7 I can turn any folder on my computer into a shared folder. Problem solved...


...Bloody programming!

Anyway, now I'm flitting with getting OSX working, still curious as to everyones ideas for it.
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Diggsey
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Posted: 21st Sep 2011 18:10 Edited at: 21st Sep 2011 18:11
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Check out input director You can set it up to "share" the keyboard and mouse between two computers connected over the network. It even shares the clipboard content (SUPER useful!) I use it so that when I get home I can just put my laptop down next to my desktop and start using them with the mouse and keyboard attached to my desktop. (You can have it auto-connect on startup or when it finds another computer)

[b]
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The Wilderbeast
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Joined: 14th Nov 2005
Location: UK
Posted: 25th Sep 2011 12:27 Edited at: 25th Sep 2011 12:27
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Don't bother using an emulator if you need to use the iPhone emulator within X-Code (I'm guessing there is one right?). If you use your newer laptop for dev stuff then chances are you can put OSX on it. Conversations related to Hackintoshing are generally frowned upon on most forums (bloody Apple sympathisers!), so I shall just link you to here:
http://wiki.osx86project.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
and be on my way....


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