As school leaders look for inexpensive ways to extend computing resources to every student, a Canadian company says it is giving away software that turns one computer workstation into two.

Userful, a privately held company based in Alberta, makes software that allows a user to connect an extra monitor, USB keyboard, and mouse to a standard computer box, making it possible for two users to work on the same PC at the same time.

Userful's software giveaway now makes it possible for a user to get this software for free. The free two-user licenses, which originally started as a Christmas promotion, allow computer users with an extra video card (or a dual-head video card) to add an extra workstation. The company offers two free downloads: one that allows the user to turn his or her PC into two independent workstations without affecting any of the software on the hard disk, and one for users already running Linux.

"The free two-user giveaway doubles the utility and value of your existing computer with minimal cost," says Tim Griffin, Userful's president. "In fact, if you already have an extra monitor and keyboard, it's like getting a free computer."

Userful is giving away two-user licenses to its software to show how much untapped value lies hidden in today's desktop PCs. Explains Griffin, "Maintaining an extra PC is a lot of work, and not everyone can afford a second home PC. ... We had such a warm response to our holiday giveaway that we decided to continue giving away our software."

The move also has improved sales, said Sean Rousseau, marketing and public relations director for Userful.

"We started giving away this software hoping that people would see how well [it] works at home and recommend it to their workplace or school as a way to save the environment and save on IT costs," he said. "It seems to be working."

With the free giveaway, Rousseau said, customers can see how well the software works and then decide to purchase an upgrade to Userful's Desktop Multiplier software, which allows for up to 10 attached monitors, mice, and keyboards to run from a single computer. Currently, Userful offers a special deal in which customers can purchase a four-user starter kit (with a quad-head video card, plus four USB keyboards and mice) for $199.