.shiyan

Another geeky post, then I promise I'll leave that category on hold (btw I have a small writing project, just need some time to set that up).

Last time I enabled the use of an external LCD screen for my laptop. At that time, I did not have enough network cables to connect my two computers. Now I have, and I discovered some very nice tricks...

x2x

This tool enables you to use a keyboard and a mouse on two different computers. If you want to switch, just go to the border of the screen with the mouse, and the cursor will magically move to the other screen !

alung@isumi:~$ ssh -c blowfish -X -n -f remote_computer "x2x -to :0 -WEST"

DAAP

DAAP is the protocol used by Apple iTunes to share music through a local network. It's an open protocol though, and many music player software available on Linux can use it natively. Amarok can be a DAAP client. And supposedly a server also, but it did not really work. It half worked with rhythmbox, and worked fine with Banshee. But I stick to amarok, because I prefer its interface.

For the server side, I used Firefly, also known as mt-daapd. It's a daemon, keeping a database of your music library, and annoucing it on the network.

So, I could listen to my library from my old computer on the new laptop, transparently, and without transfering any single file from one computer's harddisk to another.

bluetooth

Bluetooth works perfectly, I can make some file transfers between the computer and a bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. And, cherry on the cake (that expression does not look very nice in English...), I can remote control Amarok (or any other software actually) from my phone! I can even use it as a mouse !

Next step, trying with a Wiimote \o/

Technology is wonderful.