SimpleKVM
Infrastructure
multi-computer kvm switching
SHOW HN2024
How HN took it
5 positive, 25 neutral or asking, 3 mixed, 9 critical, out of 42 comments about the project. Thread score -0.04.
Execution: 1 for, 5 againstPricing: 1 for, 3 againstIdea: 2 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful idea and nice project
From 3 comments
This is genius
segasuperstar on HNCool project!
thefz on HNI haven't reviewed the code for this -- but I like this idea a lot! I would love to see a future piece of software, one that could use any number of USB KVM's like this software…
peter_d_sherman on HN
Objections
Monitor input switching over DisplayPort can be unreliable or block DDC after switching
From 2 comments
One thing to note here with these kind of tools, on displayport they typically only allow commands on the active input. Once you switch to another you can't switch back (unless…
tjoff on HNI have a posix script does the same thing but after a few months the screen was dead, somehow I feel manual switch screen input is safer.
synergy20 on HN
Only works on Windows, so needs a Windows machine running it
From 2 comments
Before settling back to one computer, I've done the cable replug thing manually, then used the urgreen USB switch as in the README then settled to using a monitor with built-in…
karolist on HNYes only one computer needs to have Windows and run the program. If it detects the USB device being inserted, it changes monitor inputs to the Windows computer. If it detects the…
fiddyschmitt on HN
Requests
Support for Linux and macOS
From 1 comment
Before settling back to one computer, I've done the cable replug thing manually, then used the urgreen USB switch as in the README then settled to using a monitor with built-in…
karolist on HN
Questions
Does the host computer need to stay on all the time
From 2 comments
For this to work, does my primary computer need to be on all the time? The way I understand this, the 'host' computer will be running this piece of software and fires the event…
mattfrommars on HNCorrect
fiddyschmitt on HN
Does it work with HDMI monitors
From 2 comments
How would this work if your monitor uses HDMI?
DeathArrow on HNYep HDMI works well. It also works on DisplayPort, DisplayPort Mini, VGA and DVI.
fiddyschmitt on HN
Alternatives named
Barrier software KVM
From 2 comments
For software KVM you can use https://github.com/debauchee/barrier I use it between a Windows PC & a Macbookpro (Linux version available but I don't have Linux)
PikachuEXE on HNI realize it’s not the use case in OP, but if each of your machines has a display, Barrier is like a super power. Also allows copy-paste across OSes.…
consumer451 on HN
display-switch by Haimgel
From 1 comment
I’ve been using display-switch[0] for this for a while now. No problems whatsoever. Works on windows/mac/linux. [0] https://github.com/haimgel/display-switch
g1sm on HN
Monitors with built-in KVM switches
From 2 comments
After trying many hardware and software solutions for easily switching between my rigs, I settled on something much simpler: a monitor with a KVM built-in. It does not have to…
moystard on HNBefore settling back to one computer, I've done the cable replug thing manually, then used the urgreen USB switch as in the README then settled to using a monitor with built-in…
karolist on HN
DDC commands with hardware USB switches
From 2 comments
Haha, just writing a "me too here", I just came to the same conclusion, but I think my setup is better and cheaper, if a tiny bit more complex. For example, the above would need…
poisonborz on HNAfter researching KVMs I also came to the same conclusion that ddc is the solution. My use case is a bit different. I have two Windows machines and a dual monitor setup. I use…
MichaelMug on HN