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This is a bash script that uses existing tools to start up and configure a vnc server as an extended display, specifically with the interest of being an interactive solution to the problem of using an android or ios tablet as an external monitor.

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mcorah/extend2vnc

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[USAGE]
  ex <args>
[ARGS]
  -f        kill process and restart
  -k [s]    kill or soft kill (killing x2vnc which provides access from current desktop)
  -l        switch to landscape mode
  -n|s|e|w  set location of vnc server relative main desktop, default: east
  -d <num>  set display number of vncsession, default: 4
  -h        help
  
[DEPENDS]
  vnc4server
  x2vnc
    Available, thanks to Fredrik Hubinette at:
      http://fredrik.hubbe.net/x2vnc.html

[SETUP]
  * place ex.sh and README in a safe location (~/.vnc is ideal)
  * echo "alias ex=~/.vnc/ex.sh" >> ~/.bashrc

  * edit defaults as desired:
    * GEOMS can contain any number of resolutions
      * second resolution is used by landscape mode
      * subtract ~80 from vertical for use with android tablets

  * configure vncserver desktop session in ~/.vnc/xstartup

  * connect using your favorite vncviewer
    * port will be 5900+<session number> default: 5904
    * for android "Jump Desktop" seems to provide the best interface
      for this kind of session

[DESCRIPTION]
  This is a script designed to simplify startup and interaction with a
  vnc server to be used as if it is a second monitor. This is done
  specifically with tablets in mind as there are currently few documented
  options for configuring such devices in a Linux environment. Note that
  this is achieved by creating a separate desktop session. The main
  session is connected to the vnc server using x2vnc, an apparently little
  know program that creates a window on one side of the main desktop, and
  sends mouse and keyboard input to the vnc server in a similar manner to
  the more well known option, synergy. This script provides the benefit
  of being able to easily interact from the either the main desktop or
  the second device while not messing with the main session and providing
  all the benefits of a configurable second desktop. The ability to cleanly
  switch between widescreen and landscape modes and use the second session
  completely separately from the first are key benefits of the
  implementation. However this method is limited as windows cannot be
  dragged from one session to another. If being able to drag windows to
  a second device is absolutely necessary this script will not be useful.
  However a good option would be to configure the main session desktop to
  be wider than the main monitor in some direction and then connecting via
  vnc and panning to the extra space.
  

This script is written and maintained by Micah Corah

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This is a bash script that uses existing tools to start up and configure a vnc server as an extended display, specifically with the interest of being an interactive solution to the problem of using an android or ios tablet as an external monitor.

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