Monitor Megaplex
DIY multi-monitor setups, a hot new browser, cool Google hacks, and everything you wanted to know about duct tape.
How many monitors are you using these days? I've been pretty happy with my setup, but I'm getting jealous of the privileged few who have monitor megaplexes on their desks. So I did some searching and came up with a way to create my very own four-display array. I haven't tried it out yet, but I thought I'd share it with you this week. Read on for details.
In May I told you about my switch to a dual-monitor setup; see "Pack More on Your Screen and Desktop" and "Two Monitors Are Way Better Than One." Since then, I've heard about a few other ways you can play around with additional monitors.
I haven't tried it, but one reader mentioned using a $30 program called MaxiVista as a way to turn a notebook into a second monitor for your primary PC, using a network connection. The developers claim you can control up to four PCs with one mouse and keyboard, too. If you're curious, download the 14-day trial version.
If you're starting from scratch, and have what I imagine to be beaucoup bucks and a mighty wide desk, you may want an Athens five-panel LCD monitor from Lieberman Inc. The specs on this monster are amazing: The maximum resolution is 19,200 by 2400 pixels; it's almost 29 inches wide; and it weighs 134 pounds. But this may all be a spoof. I sent Lieberman Inc. an e-mail and it bounced. And the corporate site explains: "Presently, no new pre-orders are being taken for any current or future products and all new hardware and software product development roadmaps are under re-structuring." Makes you wonder.
Get out your checkbook and grab four ViewSonic head-only monitors (that's the LCD panel without a stand) for a little over four grand. Stick them on a $400 quad-display stand. Then follow the step-by-step, online instructions to set it all up.
Once everything is up and running, get your stockbroker on the line (first make sure they've got only two monitors) and start gloating.
There's a new browser on the block--well, almost. Flock hasn't been released yet, and I haven't tried it. But
According to the Flocksters, Flock is "the social browser, open source, cross platform and based on Mozilla technologies." They have more to say in their blog.
BTW, The Opera folks are bragging that their download rate has quadrupled since they went ad-free. And if you haven't heard, the Firefox 1.5 beta is available for testing; read all about it in Editor in Chief Harry McCracken's blog.
Unlike Microsoft, the folks at Google let users fiddle with many of their tools. They even make it easy, by supplying access with the Google Web APIs service.
This is beginning to give Google an edge. Google Desktop was open to developers interested in writing plug-ins from the get go, for instance. Visit the Web site to download the beta or find out how to write plug-ins for it.
In addition to writing practical plug-ins, though, some folks have just been having fun. One of my favorite hacks is Google Fight, where you match two players to see who gets the most hits. I've often wondered how I'd do in a face-off with Bill Gates; turns out I didn't do so well.
Google Maps have terrific practical uses, of course. For example, Whereis lets you find the locations--at least those of the domains' owners--of many Web sites.
But Google Maps has also been a blessing for people with time to kill. You can track the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station at Tom Mangan's site. But my very favorite Google Maps hack is the Gmaps Pedometer. Stick a few points on the map by double-clicking and the distance between the points is displayed. The instructions are easy and it's grand fun.
Steve Bass
