Hello all,
As has been mentioned previously, for tonight's meeting, we most likely
will not have an LCD projector.
As an alternative, we may attempt to use a "shared desktop" approach,
where multiple computers display the same desktop. The idea being, Paul
(the speaker) will do his demo on one laptop. We will place other laptops
at various tables, and have those laptops "repeat" Paul's display on their
screens.
In order to do this, we will need (1) laptops, (2) a network, and (3) the
software that will actually enable the "shared desktop".
For the laptops themselves, I am hoping that, despite the short notice, we
can sucker^H^H^H^H^H^H^H ask some other GNHLUG'ers to bring their own
laptops to provide #1. Anyone who feels like volunteering, please reply to
me privately, so we can have an idea of what to expect. We should be able
to support just about any OS, even MS-Windows.
For the software, we plan on using VNC (Virtual Network Computing), AKA
RFB (Remote Frame Buffer). More information is available
http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc/
but it basically lets you view one person's screen on another computer.
Client software is available for Linux and MS-Windows (not to mention MacOS,
other Unixes, PalmOS, WinCE, and maybe my toaster-oven). Most recent Linux
distros include it. I will bring the software for those who do not have it.
For the network I have obtained six WiFi (802.11b) 16-bit PCMCIA cards.
They are Lucent WaveLAN compatible cards, and use the wvlan_cs driver under
Linux. MS-Windows drivers are also available. When I plugged one into my
laptop running Mandrake 8.0, it "just worked" automagically. We do not
(AFAIK) have a base station/access point available to us, so we will be
running in "ad hoc" mode with no bridge to the wired world.
Think of this as an adventure, or a learning experience in how to
integrate heterogenous systems on short notice with no preparation. We may
even get to Paul's exmh talk. ;-)
--
Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
| The opinions expressed in this message are those of the author and do not |
| necessarily represent the views or policy of any other person, entity or |
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