Plugable

xorg-server 1.8.0 released

Posted on 02. Apr, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in udlfb

xorg-server 1.8.0 has been released.

There will still be some bugs and issues to resolve — but this release has most of the features, specifically related to input handling and udev-based dynamic configuration, of a more solid USB multiseat solution.

In short:

• udev rules, which already can detect a grouping of USB devices that constitute a terminal, can now tell X to ignore or use particular devices more easily through udev attributes and more dynamic/independent xorg.conf.d scripts.
• udev is now the default configuration mechanism (the torch has been passed from the less flexible hal)

So the challenges to explore are now more in the area of ConsoleKit integration and whether we can use these new capabilities support not just pure-USB multiseat setups, but also a mix of seats with PCIe attached graphics, and with fully USB seats.

OS X 10.6.3 and DisplayLink Rotation

Posted on 30. Mar, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in Using

There are reports of a few problems with the just-released OS X 10.6.3 update from Apple, and current DisplayLink drivers (1.5 and 1.6 beta) for Mac. In particular, displays in a rotated (portrait) configuration are corrupted. Switching back to standard unrotated mode is a workaround.

DisplayLink users on Mac might want to hold off on Apple’s update until any problems are shaken out.

Multi-Monitor Madness

Posted on 25. Mar, 2010 by Bernie Thompson in Windows

This is an older video from NetworkWorld.TV showing an earlier iteration of the DisplayLink technology we use at Plugable.

A few things that have evolved since the video:

* Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Mac support
* Open Source exists for programming the DisplayLink chips
* It’s hard to find monitors with DisplayLink integrated, but it’s easy to find the adapters that work with any monitor (like our UGA-2K-A, which uses the DisplayLink DL-195 chip)
* The video showed an adapter with only VGA out. Our provides the more flexible DVI out, and includes simple, passive DVI->VGA and DVI->HDMI adapters which work transparently.
* The video doesn’t talk about resolutions, but the newest chips like the DisplayLink DL-195 can hit higher resolutions and/or have higher quality motion video playback at lower resolutions.

And it’s still the best and easiest way to outfit a cool bat cave.