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[kurzyMIDI]

Hi folks, I currently use Input Director to control three Windows 11 computers, and would love to add my G4 into the equation. Is there any miraculous software out there that support both Win11 and OS9? Or a hardware KVM switch is my only option?

Thanks in advance. Cheers!

[Jubadub]

I think I have seen something like this in the Garden for OS X. Although you can achieve a similar effect in OS 9 using the likes of VNC, in which you access any of your other computers by connecting to them from a Mac OS 9 window. I did that sometimes to access my Win7 PC.

I don't really think a "true" software KVM exists for any system, though: if the monitor (the "V" in "KVM") is not shared, nor the audio, then there isn't much benefit or point to using one from what I can see, although a mouse/keyboard "sharer" is still minorly something.

I had a hardware KVM (until I had to move away from the Nazi Germany government of 2021/2022 and leave nearly all my possessions behind), and it only made sense because I could connect and switch to 8 different computers from a single monitor (and mouse, keyboard, audio and many more peripherals connected via its built-in USB hub like video game controller adapters etc.). You name it: home office computer (Windows 10+ -- disgusting spyware junk), Mac OS 9.2.2 MDD, Mac mini G4s, Win7 PC, PSVita TV, G5 Quad, G5 Dual 2.7GHz and Raspberry Pi 3 with GNU OS (vulgarly known as "Linux").

Main issue with hardware KVM is of course price. I had one of those ATEN ones with 8 dual-link DVI-I, so I could use analog VGA monitors or any other "modern" display. I don't know of any cheap KVMs that are reliable in any capacity, at least as far as video is concerned (but for mouse+keyboard it should be fine).


TL;DR Mac OS 9 is king, VNC helps plug to lesser devices, and you get not only shared mouse/keyboard like with InputDirector, but also a shared monitor while at it. Hardware KVM is neat, software "KVM" doesn't really exist anywhere.

[robespierre]

x2vnc and Teleffect (from Electric Arc) certainly did and do exist. They create a virtual "desktop" where moving the cursor off the side of one computer's screen travels seamlessly to another computer's screen (and the different screens can both be displayed on one physical monitor). Hardware KVMs require cumbersome key combinations to switch channels and feel much more primitive.

[smilesdavis]

windows and irix? was there ever something for os9?