~~this is not a cluster/supercomputer project~~

As far as I can tell, somone should be able to run two systems from one root file system and share resources. I have 2 wacom enabled tablet pc's i have learned enough to make each system run independantly but i want to link them together via firewire (eth0 is used for internet) and be able to run programms like gimp with some input coming from both systems (shared clipboard, pallet on one screen image on the other, etc)

my plan is to use Gentoo as a base (my current obsession-OS, could use ubuntu) build the kernels for firewire communication, and NFS operation.

My problem (right now) is in configuring the networks to link up at boot. I need advice and will be doccumenting my attempts. any advice, warnings, or crazy ideas that just might work are welecomed.

Thank You.

Two isn't very many, but have you googled beowulf project?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beowulf_cluster

Yes, i did. But i don't blelieve thats what i am looking for. i am looking more for a nfs type of shared resources. one where no special libraries would be needed and practical applications could be used, other than science computing.

nfs is for mounting drives remotely. I do not believe it a good vehicle for what you are doing.

You just need some form of remote desktop. That and one other way is the only solution I can think of. Pretty sure OS/2 had a deal like that at one time but maybe it was never released to public.

Sounds like you're looking for an X Terminal set up. Thin client supporting the video/keyboard and mouse with programs & data residing on the "Main" system.
I used to have an old SUN X Terminal ages ago which downloaded a small block of code (sparc based)via arp/rarp from a Linux box. This enabled an X server on the X Terminal allowing it to be used as a seperate resource over the network. N.B. all "heavy" computing was done on the Linux box, the X terminal just displayed stuff and accepted KBD & mouse I/P. It's data was stored seperately on the Linux box giving the illusion of two systems.

Any use? You'ld need to Google it if you were interested.

Play Bonny!

NFS just mounts the filesystem over the network, similar to Windows' "shared folders". It won't do nearly any of what you're asking for...shared clipboard, shared resources, pallet on one screen image on the other when working in gimp, etc. You're looking for something very different than NFS. You mentioned at the beginning of your post that you're not looking for a cluster project, but I think that's exactly what you're looking for, you just don't know it.

Xterminal sounds right. Are there any reccommendations on wikis or articles to review for the project?

just to clearify i am using 2 Gateway M275 convertable laptops. the network used is their firewire ports. im using firewire mostly beacuse i've never seen that port used and it gets 400mbps, potentally 4x the ethernet speed. i am hoping for one continous desktop. the system runs gimp fine on one system so making a Xterminal out of the other tablet would be simpler than creating a cluster, as far as ive seen.

After a quick Google for X Terminals you might like to check out:

http://www.solucorp.qc.ca/xterminals/

and

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/XDM-Xterm/index.html

I hope they're of use to you.

Play Bonny!