Barrier is software that mimics the functionality of a KVM switch, which historically would allow you to use a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple computers by physically turning a dial on the box to switch the machine you're controlling at any given moment. Barrier does this in software, allowing you to tell it which machine to control by moving your mouse to the edge of the screen, or by using a keypress to switch focus to a different system.
Barrier was forked from Symless's Synergy 1.9 codebase. Synergy was a commercialized reimplementation of the original CosmoSynergy written by Chris Schoeneman.
Hassle-free reliability. We are users, too. Barrier was created so that we could solve the issues we had with synergy and then share these fixes with other users.
Compatibility. We use more than one operating system and you probably do, too. Windows, OSX, Linux, FreeBSD... Barrier should "just work". We will also have our eye on Wayland when the time comes.
Communication. Everything we do is in the open. Our issue tracker will let you see if others are having the same problem you're having and will allow you to add additional information. You will also be able to see when progress is made and how the issue gets resolved.
Install and run barrier on each machine that will be sharing.
On the machine with the keyboard and mouse, make it the server.
Click the "Configure server" button and drag a new screen onto the grid for each client machine.
Ensure the "screen name" matches exactly (case-sensitive) for each configured screen -- the clients' barrier windows will tell you their screen names (just above the server IP).
On the client(s), put in the server machine's IP address (or use Bonjour/auto configuration when prompted) and "start" them.
You should see `Barrier is running` on both server and clients.
You should now be able to move the mouse between all the screens as if they were the same machine.
Note that if the keyboard's Scroll Lock is active then this will prevent the mouse from switching screens.
Please be aware that the *only* way to draw our attention to a bug is to create a new issue in [the issue tracker](https://github.com/debauchee/barrier/issues). Write a clear, concise, detailed report and you will get a clear, concise, detailed response. Priority is always given to issues that affect a wider range of users.
