Episode 2x01
From Hak5
Contents |
Synopsis
In this episode of Hak5 Darren shows us how to unite Windows, Mac, and Linux desktops with Synergy. Wess builds an automatic LED lamp, while Limin Li joins us to show off the setup of the digital DJ. Plus Interviews with Harrison Holland of SploitCast and Jason Davis of MD5Lookup at the sixth Hackers On Planet Earth conference in New York. And as always details on this month's LAN party, trivia, poll, and geeky sketches.
Synergy on Windows, Mac, and Linux
Have multiple computers on your deskâ€? ‬Tired of multiple keyboards and mice taking up desk space,†‬or expensive KVM switchesâ€? ‬Seamlessly switch between multiple computers with one mouse and keyboard using Synergy.†‬It supports Windows,†‬Mac,†‬and even Linux for the perfect seamless cross platform desktop experience.†‬And best of all it’s free and open sourceâ€!
â€The moment I found Synergy I fell in love. It was that kind of love us geeks get when we find software that solves a problem simply and efficiently.
â€Now this article is not intended to be a step by step guide to installing and configuring Synergy since it really depends on your setup and there are nearly limitless possibilities, however I will share with you my fond experiences with it.
â€In the summer of 2003 I was working as a systems administrator, testing out the new Microsoft server products. There on my test lab's desk sat three machines, my Windows XP workstation, a Windows Server configured as a Domain Controller, and a Windows Server with Exchange 2003. Despite the added desk space provided by the recently upgraded flat panel monitors my work area was feeling ridiculously cramped with the three keyboards and mice. And to make matters worse I was constantly grabbing the wrong mouse while looking at a still desktop franticly moving my hand wondering what had gone wrong. It was enough to drive a geek batty. Until I met synergy.
â€Today I cheerfully work at a dual desktop setup spanning four monitors and seamlessly bounce between my development and production machine. Synergy is even smart enough to let me copy and paste text and images between the two systems. And installing it was a breeze. I just grabbed the latest version from www.synergy2.sf.net and installed it on both machines. I set my production machine up as the server, while my development machine connects to it as a client. The only tricky part was telling the server where each computer's monitors are in relationship to each other, but thankfully the well written documentation at configuration spelled it out in plain English.
â€Looking back I'm so glad I found Synergy; it's changed my life. And since it's cross platform it works with Windows, Mac, and Linux. Looking forward I can now see a shiny new Mac Pro on my desk, fluidly working along side my Windows and Linux machines, all humming along in a glorious symphony of geek goodness.
â€But don't just take my word for it, head over to synergy2.sf.net, grab yourself a copy, and feel the single mouse and keyboard, multiple machine, cross platform sanity yourself.
â€PS: Mac users might want to look into osxsynergygui.sourceforge.net to make things a little easier.
Automatic LED Lamp
Geeky night light? Excuse to play with blue LEDs? Either way this project is fun for beginers and experts and can be put together for less than $10 in parts. Adapted from the original project at instructables
Setup of the digital DJ
Serato Scratch Live is the product which can be found at Serato Scratch Live
DJ Limin Li can be found at dj-liminli.net
You can hear him spin at etn.fm
Interview with Harrison Holland of Sploitcast
Harrison can be heard weekly on his podcast at Sploitcast.
Interview with Jason Davis of MD5Lookup
More information about Jason and his project can be found at MD5Lookup.
Supplemental Material
- Behind the scenes on Alli's return. 5 minute documentary. 2x01s1
- MARCH at HOPE. Retro Computing. Totally uncut and unbearable! 2x01/2x01--supplemental--MARCH.mov