Synchronizing multiple QPrompt computers

[videosmith]

Looking back on prior discussions re: synchronizing QPrompt computers for redundancy while scrolling-

Would it be feasible to have the 'master' Qprompt computer, upon encountering a blank or populated Bookmark in a script while scrolling, send a Next Bookmark command to the 'slave' computer with the same script in Stop mode to have it jump forward?

Perhaps via Bluetooth, WiFi or Ethernet?

If doable, perhaps a keyboard shortcut such as Ctrl-Return to create an empty line with a black bookmark?

[Cuperino]

It should be possible to send a number that represents the marker's position in a list. That would guarantee that the same marker is shown as long as lists are the same. We can guarantee that both lists are the same by making sure both documents are the same and are up-to-date before starting to prompt.

As for communication method, any of the protocols that we'd implement for remote control should do. There are a few in queue, I don't know if I'll implement them all. From top priority to lowest, these are:

1. WebSockets
2. HTTP/S REST
3. MQTT
4. Telnet

These would work over WiFI or Ethernet, No plans for Bluetooth yet, tho it should be possible to add.

If doable, perhaps a keyboard shortcut such as Ctrl-Return to create an empty line with a black bookmark?

This is technically a separate feature. Can be added as well.

[videosmith]

As for communication method, any of the protocols that we'd implement for remote control should do.

Assuming WiFi: would that mean an exclusive link between computers, negating any outside wifi which may be needed to retrieve documents?

Assuming Ethernet: same question - also if exclusively two computers - would a crossover cable suffice or is a switch/router needed?

As an Ethernet example I cite the connection strategy of Avid Artist and BM hardware. Both offer Automatic (which is problematic) or Static IP addresses... If outside connection is desired under Static, a separate interface is required.

[Cuperino]

I'm not familiar with Avid Artist or BM hardware, but I would assume these solutions are implemented over IP, using TCP or UDP...

Here a communications protocol (HTTP, MQTT, TEL) implemented over TCP/IP would be used. This enables communication over any network using TCP/IP, in which computers can find each other. That means you'd typically use a router with Automatic DHCP assigning local IP addresses, but you're not limited to that. You could also create a shared, direct connection and, as long as each computer has an IP assigned to it, and you can point the client instance to the server instance, or (in the case of MQTT) a shared broker, QPrompt instances would be able to communicate with each other.

[videosmith]

I'm not familiar with Avid Artist or BM hardware, but I would assume these solutions are implemented over IP, using TCP or UDP...

Correct.

[videosmith]

QPrompt instances would be able to communicate with each other.

Would that still allow communication with a facility's server for internet access as well?

I assume you are considering a router, since a switch won't negotiate ip addresses?

[Cuperino]

Would that still allow communication with a facility's server for internet access as well?

Yes.

I assume you are considering a router, since a switch won't negotiate ip addresses?

That's the DHCP server's job, which typically resides in a router. You could manually assign IPs between devices directly connected to each other. However, by doing so, you're creating an isolated connection and you're responsible for passing through Internet access to the client device.

As long as each computer has an IP address and the computers can find each other by it (i.e. by being in the same subnet), these should be able to communicate with each other.

[Cuperino]

Duplicate of #67.