Microsoft researching split-screen desktop software

Microsoft research in India has developed a piece of software that magically doubles the productivity of a single computer with the simple addition of a second keyboard and mouse. Borrowing the concept from video games -- that's the first thing we think of when we see this setup, go figure -- the software effectively splits the screen in two and drops in a second cursor, allowing two users to use the same machine. Although the software is designed to allow two people to work independently of each other, it is possible for the cursor to cross the central boundary which apparently "opens the door on sharing and collaborating with documents." That's funny, because for us this scenario brings us back to the days of trackpad vs. mouse battles with younger siblings on our parents' laptop -- not exactly a "sharing" moment. In a more professional environment the potential for increased productivity is great, and could have a profound impact in regions where access to a computer remains a luxury that only the rich can afford. What with computer technology moving away from number crunching power to more effective hardware multitasking (think dual core CPUs and widescreen monitors), there's no time like the present for this kind of software. We grabbed a couple of shots of the technology in action at Microsoft's TechFest event this year. Check them out here and here.

[Via The Raw Feed]

[Walter @ May 6th 2007 10:17AM]

More irritating than not having access at all?

[Octavus @ May 6th 2007 3:03AM]

I can see this being used in cubical environments, have 4 monitors/keyboards/mice with only 1 actual computer.

[Talia Geberovich @ Jun 6th 2007 8:07AM]

MiniFrame (http://www.miniframe.com) is the provider of the software SoftXpand which turns 1 computer into up to 8 fully independent workstation! you should download the free trial which lasts 80 hours: http://www.miniframe.com/download.asp

[VZW techie @ May 6th 2007 3:04AM]

So what a joke, I have one keyboard and two monitors.. that is much better. i wouldn't be able to stand hearing someone else typing away next to me while i have to share half a screen with them...

Later,
VZW techie

[Matt @ May 6th 2007 3:05AM]

Umm Conrad Quilty-Harper you forgot the ] in the via thing. Your name is pretty cool btw.

[wako @ May 6th 2007 3:09AM]

Im with VZW techie (fanboy?)


for ONE person, I find dual screen to be much better. I guess this would be nice for schools and such so that they can buy half the computers they need if they really can create a different enviroment when you split the screen. That would save alot of money if you can make one computer act as two. But for the average joe, I find this to be useless.

[nizzy1115 @ May 6th 2007 3:16AM]

Once again, great thinking Microsoft.

However, what I'm really thinking is dual monitor setup with one computer and two users. That could be really nice for schools. Our elementary schools have 4 student computers in each classroom. Now imagine the cost savings of having only 2 computers but 4 users. In our district of 12 schools at about 30 classrooms each, you could save nearly $200,000 on the schools next pc upgrade (if they cost $550 each) by purchasing 1/2 the amount of pcs and still have the same usability as before.

Now that is of course taking into account that they don't have to log on to them individually. However, what if you could have 2 completely independent setups allowing 2 people to be logged on as 2 unique users. Then this setup could really be used widespread including places like school computer labs, some offices, and even home environments.

My last idea is more of a stretch for a few years from now, but imagine running this on a powerful computer centrally located in your home. With wireless vga connections to monitors and wireless keyboard/mouse setups, you could place multiple monitors/keyboards around your house and have them run off of only one computer saving you lots of money on buying pc's for every room, and save on electricity as well.

I am seeing many possibilities stemming from a piece of software, and i like it a lot.

[Ernesto Terribile @ May 7th 2007 6:06AM]

Not so great thinking.
On Linux there is already something similar.
You already have several text consoles and you can have several graphic consoles (and easyly switch among them).

With multi head graphic adapters (such as Matrox G450 and G550, not so expensive) you can use two monitors in joined mode (cinerama) or splitted (with different resolutions). All of this *before* even M$ thought to add such a solution on XP.

With a network, you can connect as many computer as you want to one single server. Each one opens a new login session (not like VNC, a *real* and *distinct* login session) on the server without actually run anything on the satellite system with the exception of the client program. Plus, all these sessions are graphical sessions.
Graphics runs on client, everything else on the server.

With some patches and a little bit of work, you can also connect more than one keyboard/mouse and monitor to the same PC and make them distinct consoles (either graphical or textual or mixed, some graphical and some textual).

There was an article (I don't have the link anymore) about a station for 8 distinct users that was written about two years ago.
And some companies has already developed multi tier PCI board to be added to the computer to enanche multi tier work (mostly to allow the connection of more than one PS/2 keyboard and mouse, since motherboard usually allow the connection of one keyboard and one mouse only on PS/2, in that period there weren't the PS/2 to USB adapters)

So, once more, nothing new exits from the M$ labs.

And, once more, a lot of people are thinking that an already developed idea, has been firstly developed by Microsoft (in this case we are speaking of 2 years of time gap)

No more comments.

[Chris @ May 7th 2007 8:25AM]

If schools really wanted to save money they would just set up Wise Terminals for kids, especially in elementary schools. They could buy one central computer (Win 2003 server) and 50+ wise terminals with monitor, mouse and keyboard. My College had an entier comptuer lab like this with 20+ Termiinals and others throught the campus.

[nizzy1115 @ May 7th 2007 1:17PM]

Yeah, linux is all fine and dandy if you don't use it for anything but surfing the web and typing a paper. HOWEVER, kids use educational games! These only run on WINDOWS, not linux. There are many things you cant factor in. Schools can not get by running linux. Work for one and you will understand why.

[NovaLand @ May 6th 2007 3:19AM]

U could probably use this with dual-screen setup and like wako mentioned, use it where u need to save money. Or simply use it when ur GF comes over and bitching about borrowing your computer. Then u say "let's share.."

[Thomas @ May 6th 2007 3:20AM]

How is this different than the Virtual Buddy PCI cards that came out years ago splitting a pc into up to 5 workstations aside from sharing the same screen?

[John Doe @ May 6th 2007 3:30AM]

Other then not needing a hardware solution? *rolls eyes*

seriously though. I'm not sure how useful this is. I suppose in certain environments that it could be an interesting tool but its hardly going to set the world ablaze with a new golden era of system sharing. *shrugs* Throw it in as a Powertoy.

[jake @ May 6th 2007 4:32AM]

Gigabyte had a motherboard for Windows XP that allowed 2 users to use it at the same time. It had an extra set of ps/2 ports.
Then again you can just build a new PC add Linux and 3 dual head video cards and 6 pairs of keyboards and mice on USB and you're set.

[Sean O @ May 6th 2007 5:09AM]

Am I the only one who can see what this is obviously all about?

Its clearly a trojan horse meant to allow multitouch touchscreen in the future - a clever way to get around Apple's patent. If you apply the capability of multi-mouse pointers to the next OS (or add-on software), and the user has a touchscreen instead of a mouse (they both operate the same way in Windows), you effectively achieve a multitouch display.

Not an Apple fanboy (or any type of fanboy). In fact I think the idea you can patent such a basic concept as multitouch is outrageous.

[tau zero @ May 6th 2007 5:29AM]

So like.. imagine you typing on one part of the screen, and your boss/supervisor sitting right next to you typing on the other part of the screen.

bad news for normal people who like to browse the net at work, ie many engadget readers. I think this would effectively eliminate all non work related web browsing, having co workers essentially spying on one another.

[axemachine @ May 6th 2007 6:47AM]

The fact that it comes from MS India give should give you a clue. Poor countries where education is scanty as it is would benefit from something like that where 2 users could use one computer in a class instead of the usual "you watch, I type"

I wish for once some posters would think outside their comfort zone and remember the rest of the world doesn't smell like roses and have money to throw away in computers like everybody else.

[mattclarkie @ May 6th 2007 8:15AM]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy 2 lower spec'd computers running independently than one more powerful computer being shared. My computer can barely handle what I through at it, so two people would really strain a low powered computer such as a school.
My school runs celerons with 512mb of RAM for god's sake, and they have one of the best computing departments in the SE of England. How could you run two sets of applications on that.

Maybe if you were running Linux, but we all now how inefficient Windows is because it is designed to work on reasonable computers not doing to much work. Just look at the requirements for Vista. What business or school could honestly run that twice with only 512mb of RAM on a Celeron.

[Tim @ May 6th 2007 8:29AM]

As a programmer, I see a lot of hurdles arising from this kind of change in design. Most software has been designed to handle single input for mouse and keyboard, so either this new feature will cause a lot of incompatibility headaches or will go mostly unused, like most of the special features in windows...

[Dr. A @ May 6th 2007 8:41AM]

I guess if u want to teach someone this is a best way. U show & he follows u on the same screen. With LCD's it is more dificult to watch on a side pc.

[GooeyGuy @ May 6th 2007 9:26AM]

Most of you are missing the point, but kudos to axemachine and Nizzy1115 for getting it. This was omitted from the article, so here is some clarifiction. The research is part of a group of projects to aid schools developing countries where they can't afford a second monitor, let alone another computer. First, it doubles the number of students per machine very cheaply, and it quickly boosts computer literacy by pairing students who can learn from each other more easily. Computers now have 4+ USB ports - more than enough for multiple peripherals, and enough processing power to make this viable now. For those of you with the cash, go ahead and buy those extra monitors and workstations - that is what multimonitor support, virtual desktops, and terminal services are for.

[Jaxim @ May 6th 2007 9:37AM]

this technology would be great for Media Center. One person could watch a program on the TV set while another can work on the computer on their LCD display. Both people could control each of the displays separately. The person watching TV could control the TV with a remote and/or keyboard, while the person on the LCD could be using a mouse and keyboard.

Great innovation, Microsoft!

[ravuya @ May 6th 2007 10:32AM]

This sounds a lot like the Amiga multiple-Workbench feature, which was a lot cooler.

[[e-mail] @ May 6th 2007 10:39AM]

It seems obvious this is targetted at resource-strapped customers, but I was thinking that one potentially great use for this would be in a Terminal Services/Citrix-style environment. Slightly behind this would be in the expanding field of virtual desktop infrastructures. I realize Microsoft already has collaborative software in the form of Live Meeting, but this seems like it may be better suited towards a form of extreme programming (specifically, pair programming).

[v_dogg @ May 6th 2007 10:56AM]

this is what ive been waiting for my whole life. it would be nice to edit videos with 2 people instead of one

[just.Rob @ May 6th 2007 11:58AM]

@v-dogg


seriously dude... you need to get out more

[Kichigai Mentat @ May 6th 2007 12:33PM]

lol, when I think of collaboration, I think of multi-system collaboration. I'm talking about stuff like ACE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACE_%28editor%29), so that you don't have to fight over where to scroll. Besides, last time I checked: desks weren't built to be used by two people, screens weren't built for that use, and likely there's too much junk on your desk to put two keyboards and two mice. Jake's onto something, there. Very useful in situations like Nizzy's, for schools. However, Niz's plans are a little more like what you're describing, rather than what Microsoft is talking about.

To be honest, unless we're talking multi-head, I don't see anything useful coming out of this.

[mike @ May 6th 2007 1:15PM]

"So what a joke, I have one keyboard and two monitors.. that is much better"

No way. Apple OS X is better. Leopard demoed, what.. last year?.. with Spaces, allowing multiple desktops to organize your work.. That fugly screenshot is a beautiful example of the innovation at MS compared to Apple.

Ahh.. MS... where the whole world is one big Word document

[John Doe @ May 6th 2007 5:28PM]

mike,

You sir are the grand high puba of fucking morons. Spaces is about multiple desktops that isn't to be shared among multiple keyboards\mice\users. this is about multiple shared desktops and virtual OS's. Good god man they aren't even remotely related. Stop licking Jobs's ass for a second and THINK before you type.

Once apple isn't doing anything that hasn't been done before. They are simply implementing a tech that has been around...well since forever.

Idiot.

[nikster @ May 6th 2007 1:21PM]

i like the possibility of using two mouses. i never understood that - i have two hands, why only have one mouse? think about it... or games.. one mouse for running/jumping, one mouse for aiming/firing - would be excellent.

[Craig @ May 6th 2007 2:13PM]

this reminds me of being in elementary school in the early 90s playing a virtual lemonade stand game. four computers shared one 5.25" floppy drive, and it was god-awful slow. and i think it was text-only.

[lionelbob @ May 6th 2007 5:45PM]

Great thinking Microsoft??? Gee, IBM had this idea 30-some years ago, sharing one machine over multiple users, it was called a Mainframe. We've come full circle. I'm glad I hung on to my bell bottom jeans, 30 year cycle you know.

[Michael Michniewski @ May 6th 2007 7:12PM]

Great idea, its what I've been wanting for the longest time...

One computer in the house, with multiple wireless monitor/keyboard setups (terminals). With current dual and quad core computers, and 80 core in 2010, this could be very very useful. Now, just to make it a standard-ish feature in the next windows (ie "low-level" support), and its a plan!

[crazyj @ May 6th 2007 9:06PM]

I like the idea of this, with dual core processors becoming extremely cheap such as the E4300 which overclocks very well I could think of several ways to use this, one for example would be as a computer for both my brothers who are in high school.

One likes to game on weekends while the other just surfs the web and talks to his friends. I think it would be a good way to save myself the hassle of setting up a network.

[David Koh @ May 7th 2007 6:31AM]

I think that this isnt very useful for your work enviroment....Who knows, maybe it could be implemented in schools?

http://www.drett.com

[Marc Clifton @ May 7th 2007 7:08AM]

Gads, let's hope not.

In a more professional environment the potential for increased productivity is great

Really. I wonder how that statement is justified.

and could have a profound impact in regions where access to a computer remains a luxury that only the rich can afford.

There is that.

I would think they would also make a mode where if you had dual monitors, you could each have a complete monitor, rather than splitting a single screen.

And why stop at 2? At today's screen resolutions, why not 4? With a quad core, each person could get a CPU? Or why not 8 with a dual quads and dual screens?

Really, I think it's important to pack as many people, each doing something different, into the smallest confined space as possible.

Oh I know how productivity would be increased. No more Tetris and FreeCell breaks, or surfing google recipes. Now imagine how you'd need group consensus. Ok, which pr0n site should we surf? Are we playing DDO or WoW? It would open up a whole new meaning to multiplayer gaming. Instead of massively multilplayer, we could have cluster multiplayer. Perhaps it would simply be called "Indian gaming mode" or "Chinese gaming mode". *groan*.

Increased productivity? I think not. The distraction of watching what the other person is doing would be disasterous to productivity. Especially for us alpha males. Don't DO THAT THAT WAY!!!

Oh well. Conrad Quilty-Harper: Congrats. You just made Marc's idiotic editorial of the day list.

And thanks to all for the great Monday morning rant opportunity!

Marc

[Brayshaw @ May 7th 2007 7:28AM]

I'm sorry to break it to you but I've been using this kind of thing for about 4 years under Linux.
and under Linux I can even set up any USB drive to work only on certain monitors and keyboards including external DVD Drives and Hard drives. I have a monitor, keyboard, DVD drive, mouse and Hard drive set up in my kitchen with my tower in my study. This is just another one of Microsoft's "lets take other OS' stuff that works and botch it up". Another example of this is the new windows user admin thing in Vista

[Bluephoenix @ May 7th 2007 11:46AM]

multi-headed X for linux.

been done. nothing new. and linux is free!

[Barrett @ May 7th 2007 1:54PM]

What part of SOFTWARE SOLUTION aren't you guys getting??

[jackie @ May 7th 2007 10:38PM]

it's seems difficulty that make two persons share one comptuer .
more inconvenitent when both are working.

[tak @ May 7th 2007 10:55PM]

i've read through all the posts and i must say many do not see things the way i do.

we should look beyond who developed the idea and just focus on the concept alone, be it new or old, similar/different to which technology.

kudos to the india MS team for coming up with this idea. it will definitely increase productivity. in fact, there may even be instance that results are more than doubled.

v_dogg brought up a very valid point. it saves the hassle which many workers can face in their work. i am sure many have tried compiling documents and presentations into 1 file and this is a very time consuming process. having 2 users work on the same document reduces the need for such consolidation, at the same time allows them to work on different parts of a file that require inputs. for instance, i am working on an article when i need sources and research to support my case. my friend beside me can just load up google, find the information and place it into the part required while i continue working with the document. this totally eliminated the hassle of me having to distract myself by multitasking.

another example is in video making and photo editing. having 2 persons enhance a photo together will definitely be much faster than having them enhance half of it separately, which is neither practical nor more productive. the addition division of work and subsequent recompiling are unnecessary hassle. thus this technology opens up a great deal of possibility by more than doubling the efforts that can be used on one project. the total time spent this way, compared to the divide then compile way may even take less than half the time.

the only drawback i foresee is when i have progressed beyond the area he needs to input the necessary items. scrolling on the same file will probably affect me since i will have to go with the scrolling unless features such as locking of certain text areas are used (which is readily available, such as in excel where columns are locked). also, if you can be easily distracted by looking at what the person beside you is doing, you probably don't have much ability to stay focused with or without this innovation.

for those of you who can only understand in gaming terms, i will speak your language. this is starcraft/warcraft shared base play mode. still remember starcraft? if you dont, warcraft has a similar unit sharing feature. this technology is about letting you manage your base and focus on resource gathering while your friend on the other side of the world can be controlling all the units seiging the enemy's base. in this case, both of you will be side by side, on the same (maybe split) screen working on the same thing as the same person.

still dont understand? i will give you a simple example to try out. you have to complete a box of 20 pieces puzzle. for those of you who stand by 2 person working together is less productive, try it out. take 10 randomly, pass to a friend, and you work on the remainder. he go to his corner to work out his 10 while you work out yours, once you are done, come together and join it. compare this to 2 friends working on the puzzle in the same corner together. even under the most favourable condition for the split work, they will never be as fast as the 2 friends working together due to the separation and joining steps. also they will miss out on the big picture if there is only 1 complete design to follow.

kudos to the innovation! (if this is an available technology, MS India should give proper credits to the person who came up with this concept. not good taking credit for ideas that aren't strictly yours!)

[micky @ May 8th 2007 7:54AM]

yeah it`s a great feature if you plan on sharing the same monitor / output device with another person breathing down your neck!

But if you have a dual head display adapter or a 2nd display adapter in your sistem and a 2nd monitor then you can have 2 (or more )concurrent users on 1 pc by getting Betwin ( go to http://www.thinsoftinc.com/ ) you can even run 3D Games using this as long as your PC can take that much beating.

[mattclarkie @ May 8th 2007 11:35AM]

What planet are some of you on. The person saying it is great for someone to watch TV through Media Centre while another uses Word. Watching TV is incredibly intensive, and the graphics card trying to show a TV program on one screen and desktop on the other would be so taxed if you are using the type of integrated graphics they expect in this circumstance. I reiterate that running one computer as the equivilant as a server would be more expensive than two computers.

[tak @ May 8th 2007 9:53PM]

This software was designed to increase productivity, and watching TV is barely productive to being with. Standalone TVs were invented for a reason as well.

Your argument is similar to saying cars are useless because they cant fly. Cars were never designed to do that anyway.

Different programs will have differing hardware requirements, and hardware will vary greatly between machines. The focus here is on the software which has opened up a great deal of possibility to increase efficiency at work and study. New working styles has been made possible. The machine will still be the same one, the only change being having multiple inputs that are able to function simultaneously and independently.

[Wagner @ May 9th 2007 12:31AM]

Well, surely this Conrad have never heard about BeTwin.

[tak @ May 9th 2007 4:54PM]

between is more than just a software... it requires additional video cards (and thus monitors) on top of the basic input devices.

what conrad is mentioning is merely a software + input keyboard & mouse. no extra monitor, graphics card, VGA ports anything.

[yezpahr @ May 11th 2007 7:38AM]

To Tim.
I don't think this would give incompatibility problems, because the program gives the ability to have two windows open at the same time. So the keyboard and mouse are linked to their own half of the screen.
But what I would like to find out is how it works on gaming.
Does this open the gates to single-pc LAN?