Two Simultaneous Users on One Computer?

Fri Mar 30, 2007 12:31PM EDT

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Reader Jason Beech writes: I have a new PC with a GX2 video card. Is it possible to buy a second monitor, keyboard, and mouse and have two true desktops? Different users of course... so I can be surfing the net and my wife can be working on Photoshop at the same time?

I have good news and bad news for you, Jason.

First the good news: Yes, this is possible with a PC. In fact, it's free if you just want to have two users. Userful's Desktop Multiplier lets you do exactly what you're asking about: Plug in two monitors, keyboards, and mice, and two different people can use a single PC as if they were each using their own computer. In fact, Desktop Multiplier can scale up to supporting 10 users at the same time, if you have enough video cards. (If this sounds familiar, be careful: This is not the same as using one monitor/keyboard/mouse to control multiple computers. That requires a wholly different solution involving a KVM switch, a commonly available product.)

Now the bad news: It only runs on Linux, and there's nothing like this that I've ever seen for Windows. Are you willing to install an entirely new operating system just to be able to allow two users on the machine at the same time? If so, check out the Desktop Server version of Linux, which includes Desktop Multiplier as part of the default installation.

Is it worth it? I have to admit the technology sounds elegant and appealing, but with new PCs available for $399 or even $299 (and used ones even cheaper), what's the point? You're already going to have to buy another monitor... why not just set up a second, super-cheap PC that can be used for web browsing, light word processing, and the like. Two PCs also makes for a neat solution for doing data backups, as you can sync your files between the two computers.

Sorry it's probably not the answer you were looking for, but I hope it's helpful nonetheless.

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  • 6 Posted by jetbruceli on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey, the 7950 gx2 was designed to run in sli for better gaming, if runnig seperate, it enables you to run video in dualview. Nvidia mainly makes video cards for hardcore gaming.

  • 7 Posted by ccmailbox06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    We just got a laptop hooked up with wireless internet service through Time Warner's Roadrunner fast dialup. Its great, the only problem is that they said we can only hook up one pc (wireless or desktop) to it. This seems absurd, especially with the many options that wireless technology can provide. Can we work around this to have our desktop be recognized by the wireless network (or vice versa)? We would really like to utlize our older desktop (has Windows XP) with the wireless internet service. Thanks.

  • 8 Posted by commorancy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    ccmailbox06, I'm assuming the Roadrunner connectivity is wired (i.e., cable modem). If so, hook the cable modem up to an Internet Router (Dlink and Linksys both make Internet routers with or without WiFi.. cheaper with WiFi, tho). The router will connect directly to Roadrunner pretending to be the single PC (on the router's WAN port). Then, you connect each actual PC to the router via ethernet or WiFi (on the LAN / WLAN ports) and the router will issue each LAN/WLAN connected computer each their own IP address (completely separate from Roadrunner). So, you'll be able to connect as many computers as the router offers LAN ports (usually 4 physical ports and as many WiFi clients as you like). If the connectivity you're speaking about uses WiFi to connect to RoadRunner, I'm not exactly sure how that would work. There may be routers that can act as a gateway to WiFi-only Internet service, but I haven't had to deal with that as yet. Check www.dlink.com or www.linksys.com for more details on routers if Roadrunner is now using WiFi for internet connectivity. I'm assuming Roadrunner is still only providing cable modems, though. Good luck.

  • 9 Posted by youmember2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    You never said if this package for a Linux distribution's was given away as a binary and/or source, if it is given away as source then you should be more than able to compile it under a Mac OS X system providing you can satisfy any dependences. Also, you never discussed options such as dual booting windows and linux which I am doing currently, the installation is usually painless.

  • 11 Posted by heinrichsteven on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    question: I work for an anime convention, and we are discussing having Wacom come in and teach classes on how to use their tablets. They will supply the tablets, if we supply the computers. Is the option of multiple users off one unit even feasible for this concept? Each artist would need their tablet hooked up, but not a mouse or keyboard (I think).

  • 12 Posted by jamesrfletcherii on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    You can definately do this with Windows. Either get the "magic twin" motherboard from JetwayComputer.com or a special PCI card from http://www.applica.com/products/U2_pci.html - Jim JimFletcher.net

  • 13 Posted by e_chab on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    I was looking for the same thing... I've just found this link: www.applica.com/pdf/APPLICAU2.pdf Their product seems to be h/w and s/w and they pretend that they can transform one machine into multiple desktops.

  • 15 Posted by sziegu on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know this post is kind of old, but I found something you might want to know about and other users might find useful when searching for "2 simultaneous users on one computer". This can be done with windows 2000/2003 and XP with a software called "XP Dreamer". I've seen it working at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca Library. I don't know where they bought this software from, but i can tell you the link of the manufacturer http://getplex.com . Hope this helps !

  • 16 Posted by kharch on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:50PM EDT Report Abuse

    I wonder why nobody mentioned great software Aster XP http://international.ibik-soft.com/ I personally work with this soft about 1/2 year. It works great. It is truly sharing of powerfull resources of my modern Core DUO desktop. No limitations on video bandwith, No terminal, no thin client, no noisy desktop (behind the wall ;) - each user have full access to all computer resources. I just made hole in wall and buy long (16ft/5m) video cable and long usb cable along with active usb hub. That's it. The only limitation of this software is that it's for Windows XP only - there is not Vista version yet.

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