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© 2002/2003 MagicTwin All rights reserved. Version dated 11/2003.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why can 2 users work simultaneously on one motherboard/PC?
A:
The technical capability of Windows XP supports the installation of a multi-user system.
With built-in multithreading/-tasking Windows XP can handle several tasks and
programs at the same time. The operating system controls all device and software
services automatically. Currently, there is no better operating system, such as Windows
XP, in the market supporting so many applications.
The same programs are not loaded several times, but are taken from the electronic
memory (cache) and are loaded to the additional workstations much faster. For example,
MS-Word needs the same loading time at the first station as at a single user PC, while
for the virtual 2nd PC it is loaded only in a fraction of this time, which is an advantage in
a multi-user environment.
Today PCs have enough power and performance. For instance, Microsoft Word needs
only 5-12% of the performance of a powerful PC. Programs and files are edited so fast
that the respective user believes that the system is running in parallel (Pseudo
multitasking).
Windows XP comes with Plug & Play abilities and large driver data bank support
suitable for multi-user. Therefore, the whole multi-user hardware is covered.
Q:
What is the role of MagicTwin in 2-user multi-user system?
A:
MagicTwin is an intelligent separator of SW and HW resources and as well a special
tool for assigning resources to a certain station. Windows offers from the beginning
some interesting features, but under windows everything is only prepared for single
station usage. Together with the special connectivity hardware (USB to PS/2 converter
IC), the MagicTwin provides multiple keyboards and mouse for multi-user.
Q:
What is the MagicTwin PC?
A:
A high end standard motherboard or –barebone system built-in with a special hardware
and software, which supports several workstations and an application server under
Windows XP in one machine. In principle the solution works like a terminal server, but the
server and the client are combined in one PC. Users on both workstations have the
capabilities of a single PC as follow:
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Connected drives
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Mapped drives and LAN-printers
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Internet and e-mail over one line and communication-device
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Local or remote access on files and programs of terminal-server (Citrix-ICA/
Microsoft-RDP), host systems and fileservers
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Graphic-output: every user can get a maximum performance of his own (max. 64MB)
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Fanless: ergonomic and ecological (less electric waste)
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Multiple local or remote user access to printer and other output-devices
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Multiple user access on PC standard hardware
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Operating system: based on the most stable industry-operating systems Windows
XP
