Remote control and screen sharing

When you need to see what's happening on a another computer's screen, it can be hard to decide which technology to use. Here are some recommended software and services to consider.

NOTE: Logos are the trademarks of the respective companies mentioned below.

Working with a computer that you own or control (e.g. your server or desktop)

1. Within an internal network (inside the firewall including on a VPN):
   
   
   1. to control a Windows computer, use RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) on port 3389 (or 4125 for Windows Small Business Server 2003): Microsoft's Terminal Services works with the client software known as Remote Assistance or Remote Desktop Connection -- the server is built into Windows XP Professional, Media Center Edition and Windows Server 2003/2008. Client software includes:
      
      
      1. Windows XP Home, Pro, Media Center Edition; Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate - included (under the 'Accessories' menu). If missing, get from install CD or re-download Terminal Services Client 6.0 from Microsoft.
         
      2. Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000 download from Microsoft
         
      3. Remote Desktop Connection for Mac download from Microsoft. Sometimes I also use Cocoa Remote Desktop (CoRD).
         
      4. UNIX/Linux (rdesktop) using the X Window system.
         
      
      
   2. to control a Mac computer, use Screen Sharing (a.k.a. Remote Management in Mac OS 10.5 Leopard) or Apple Remote Desktop (in Mac OS 10.4 Tiger) by configuring the VNC (Virtual Network Computing) feature on a port in the range of 5900-5906. Or you can run the free 3rd party Vine Server (formerly known as OSXvnc) from Redstone Software. Client software includes:
      
      
      1. Vine Viewer - commercial
         
      2. Chicken of the VNC - freeware
         
      3. many other providers of VNC software, some commercial, some with encryption, so you may find other combinations that work for your situations (e.g. UltraVNC, RealVNC, etc.).
      
      
   
   NOTE: Do not "poke holes" in your firewall to expose your computers to the Internet just because you find it convenient to use a free software-based remote management solution. There are numerous well-documented security vulnerabilities in many RDP and VNC implementations. Don't find out the hard way by exposing such a powerful service to the legions of hackers out there! You have been warned!
   
   
2. Over the Internet (using a 3rd party service provider to get through the firewall):
   
   
   1. LogMeIn Free (for both Windows and Mac computers) allows you to control all of your computers at no cost! If you want the advanced features (like sound, remote printing, drag & drop, etc.) you can subscribe to their LogMeIn Pro service.
      
      
   2. GoToMyPC from Citrix Online may be the market leader, but it isn't free after the trial period ends.
      
   
   NOTE: Some companies have policies against using 3rd party services to remotely control your work computers. If your firm has an IT Department, check with them first, since they may require you to use a VPN and then allow the use of an RDP or encrypted VNC solution.
   

   Sharing your screen with one other person (e.g. collaborating, coaching)

   1. For individual one-on-one collaboration on Windows, AIM Pro is free with no banner ads because it's branded by WebEx as a way to promote their paid online meeting services. Once you start chatting, either of you can initiate voice and/or screen sharing. It's only for Windows and it doesn't do group meetings, but it's free and convenient for doing remote work with one person at a time who already has an AOL screen name.
      
      
   2. On the Mac, apparently iChat on OS X 10.5 Leopard has a screen sharing feature -- I haven't upgraded yet to be able to try that. iChat interoperates with AIM at least for text chat and with the right firewall settings for video/audio too, but I haven't tried connecting AIM Pro to iChat on Leopard yet for screen sharing. Any comments?
      
      
   3. I haven't tried GoToAssist or LogMeIn IT Reach yet but if I had more clients I would probably consider one of those solutions.