Neslo Software, Inc.

Desktop Rover™ allows you to control up to 32 computers (including Pocket PCs) with a single computer's keyboard and mouse. By positioning each computer's monitor next to (or above or below) each other, you can use each computer as if it was part of a single virtual desktop. You simply move the mouse from one computer to the next and the keyboard focus follows the mouse to that computer.

Here are some ways our customers use Desktop Rover™...

Use instead of KVM switch. Some of our customers use Desktop Rover™ instead of a KVM switch because they want to have a monitor connected to each computer, but don't want the clutter of all the mice and keyboards. Computers that have Remote Desktop available don't even need physical keyboards or mice to be connected. You can configure the system using Remote Desktop and then control it using Desktop Rover.

Control your laptop from your desktop computer. Many computer professionals have a main desktop computer for development and a laptop for presentations, meetings, travel, etc. Instead of using a docking station, they place the laptop next to the desktop computer, and use the main computer to control the laptop while using it at their desk.

Collaboration tool. When working on projects with more than one person, you can place two computers next to each other and configure them in a virtual desktop group. Each partner can move the mouse over to the computer next to them. They can literally control each other's computer without reaching for the other keyboard.

Tradeshow demonstration tool. Use Desktop Rover™ to demonstrate your product running on two or more computers? Control multiple systems without awkwardly reaching for different keyboards or mice and without constantly switching your KVM.

Simplify Pocket PC tasks. When your Pocket PC is in the cradle and you are working at your main computer.  It is much easier to move your mouse over to the Pocket PC to work than fumbling for the stylus.    More about the Pocket PC client.

Graphical Group Configuration UI. A very intuitive graphical interface is used for configuring virtual desktop groups. Computers with dual or multiple monitors are handled automatically so you don't need to worry about saving room for additional monitors. Notice that a single rectangle represents all the monitors connected to a single computer. Drag the rectangles that represent computers to the locations that best represent your physical monitor locations using your mouse, and your group is configured.

All Computers Can Control the Group. You do not need to assign one computer to be the keyboard/mouse server. Any of the computers in the group can act as the server at any time, however you can configure individual computers to never act as the server if necessary. This makes Desktop Rover very versatile as a collaboration tool.

Lock all functionality. The ctrl-alt-L shortcut locks all computers in the group at the same time ( the lock command currently does not work on Vista systems).

Screen Resolution. Resolution of monitors can be adjusted on the fly. Dual monitor systems no longer need to be the same resolution on all monitors. Two different computers can control 3rd computer at the same time. A setting to only allow transition where screens touch has been added.

Pocket PC Client (WCE ARM) support was added in the 3.0 release. VGA PPC devices are supported

Copy and Paste between Computers. You can copy and paste most clipboard data between computers as if they all shared one clipboard. It also to and from the Pocket PC and capture a screenshot of the PPC with the PrtScn key.

A "Pocket PC Only" license is available for customers that only need to control one Pocket PC from their main computer.

Setting Up Your Virtual Desktop

1. Install Desktop Rover on each computer that will participate in the virtual desktop group.
2. Verify that each is connected to a TCP/IP network.
3. Run (launch) the program on each computer. Desktop Rover is a service on NT based systems, so use the shortcut in the start menu to launch the program.
4. Click on Group Configuration from our system tray menu. Press 'A' to add additional computers. Enter the name of the computer to add in the dialog and click OK. A message is sent to that computer to discover its display size and a rectangle that represents the computer will be added to the group. A single rectangle represents all the monitors connected to a single computer. If the computer cannot be reached over the network, please check your network connectivity and DNS status.
5. Use the mouse to position computers to best represent the physical location of their monitors.
6. Save the group and verify connections using the Show Current Connections tray menu option.
7. You can create your own privacy key for the computers in your virtual desktop so keystrokes and clipboard data sent over the network are encrypted.
8. On XP service pack 2 systems, you will need to add rover.exe to the exclusion list for the firewall.

Up to 32 computers can be included in a virtual desktop group (only 2 if running under a trial license).

NOTE: It does not matter where the computers (CPUs) are located; you are configuring the location of the monitors with respect to each other.

Upgrade Installation Hints

Some customers using Desktop Rover do not have keyboards or mice connected to their remote systems. In order to upgrade Desktop Rover on systems without keyboards and mice, you can use a Remote Desktop Session.

Dual and Multi Monitor Systems

Dual and multi-monitor systems are fully supported. There are no longer any limitations on the resolutions of the screens, or where they are positioned.

It is important to note that when you add a computer to the virtual desktop group using the new graphical group configuration tool, a single rectangle is used to represent all displays attached to a computer. This rectangle, sometimes called a virtual display, is the smallest rectangle that contains all monitors attached to a computer. You must use the Windows monitor configuration tool to position individual monitors in a multi-monitor system with respect to each other (this defines the virtual display rectangle). The Desktop Rover group configuration tool allows you to position a computer's group of monitors with respect to other computers monitors (or groups of monitors).

Since monitor resolution's may be different, it is possible for there to be dead zones in the virtual display rectangle where monitor surface does not exists. The mouse cannot reach the edge of the virtual display rectangle through a dead zone. Keep in mind that the mouse cannot leave the computer to jump to a remote computer via a dead zone. The mouse can only leave the computer from the edge of an actual monitor.

System Requirements

1. Microsoft® Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista operating systems are supported by Desktop Rover v4.0. (Windows 98, Windows ME, NT4 sp6a are supported via an updated legacy installer included in installation executable)
2. Disk space and memory as required by the operating system.
3. Each computer must be connected to an IP network with network cards installed correctly and the IP protocol enabled.
4. Name resolution must be enabled on the network.
5. Each computer needs it own monitor.
6. If the OS allows for operation without a mouse and keyboard, you can remove the mouse and keyboard on client computers after Desktop Rover is installed.