DualView

Userful's new multi-user DualView technology for Desktop Multiplier, DiscoverStation and Desktop Server brings extra power to your multi-station Linux desktop users. By doubling the size of a standard desktop, DualView lets users see more information at once, and work more efficiently by spending less time switching between and managing windows.

A new way to use multi-user Linux desktops

DualView technology enables each central computer to support up to five users, each using their own desktop that spans two monitors. The central computer is equipped with five mice, five keyboards and five supported dual-head video cards, driving a total of ten monitors. Each dual-head video card drives two monitors which seamlessly act as one desktop to both the computer and the user. Users can drag windows between screens, maximize windows in each screen, or cover both screens at once with a single application window.

Increased productivity

DualView is better than using two computers at once because there is only one set of input devices to handle, and there is no data such as document files or clipboard contents to move between computers. Research using a web browser on one screen, while writing a report on the other screen. Copying and pasting between windows on two screens is no different than doing so on one.

There's nothing new to learn, just more desktop space to use.

Benefits

There are many benefits from using DualView:

• Reduce computer desktop clutter by moving toolbars to other screens
• Write code on one monitor while testing on the other
• See more of your spreadsheet, design or image at once

A recent study¹ found that using multiple displays can dramatically increase employee productivity and reduce errors.

"The effect of screen configurations is quite clear. Respondents were able to get on task quicker, do the work faster, and get more of the work done with fewer errors in multi-screen configurations than with a single screen. The gains are solid: 6 percent quicker to task, 7 percent faster on task, 10 percent more production, 16 percent faster in production, 33 percent fewer errors, and 18 percent faster in errorless production. Equally impressive is that these gains were achieved by turning on an extra monitor or two and providing five minutes of training."

The authors of the study recommend multiple displays for work that involves the integration of multiple sources, writing "the evidence speaks clearly and convincingly that multi-screen configurations are preferable and make good economic sense. ... The evidence suggests a 16 percent savings in time for the same level of production. Over a year's time, one would save $3,840 in labor costs at a $12 per hour clerical wage."

For more information about Userful's DualView technology, contact a Userful representative.

1. "Productivity and Multi-Screen Computer Displays" Janet Colvin et al. Rocky Mountain Communication Review Volume 2:1, Summer 2004, Pages 31-53.