Desktop sharing
Encyclopedia
Desktop sharing is a common name for technologies and products that allow remote access and remote collaboration on a person's computer desktop
through a graphical Terminal emulator
.
The most common two scenarios for desktop sharing are:
Remote log-in allows users to connect to their own desktop while being physically away from their computer. Systems that support the X Window System
, typically Unix-based ones, have this ability "built in". Windows versions starting from Windows 2000 have a built-in solution for remote access as well in the form of Remote Desktop Protocol
and prior to that in the form of Microsoft’s NetMeeting.
The open source product VNC provides cross-platform solution for remote log-in.
The shortcoming of the above solutions are their inability to work outside of a single NAT environment. A number of commercial products overcome this restriction by tunneling the traffic through rendezvous servers.
Real-time collaboration is much a bigger area of desktop sharing use, and it has gained recent momentum as an important component of rich multimedia communications.
Desktop sharing, when used in conjunction with other components of multimedia communications such as audio and video, creates the notion of virtual space where people can meet, socialize and work together. On the larger scale, this area is also referred as web conferencing
.
Desktop computer
A desktop computer is a personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single location, as opposed to a mobile laptop or portable computer. Early desktop computers are designed to lay flat on the desk, while modern towers stand upright...
through a graphical Terminal emulator
Terminal emulator
A terminal emulator, terminal application, term, or tty for short, is a program that emulates a video terminal within some other display architecture....
.
The most common two scenarios for desktop sharing are:
- Remote log-in
- Real-time collaboration
Remote log-in allows users to connect to their own desktop while being physically away from their computer. Systems that support the X Window System
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
, typically Unix-based ones, have this ability "built in". Windows versions starting from Windows 2000 have a built-in solution for remote access as well in the form of Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol
Remote Desktop Protocol is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft, which provides a user with a graphical interface to another computer. The protocol is an extension of the ITU-T T.128 application sharing protocol. Clients exist for most versions of Microsoft Windows , Linux, Unix, Mac OS...
and prior to that in the form of Microsoft’s NetMeeting.
The open source product VNC provides cross-platform solution for remote log-in.
The shortcoming of the above solutions are their inability to work outside of a single NAT environment. A number of commercial products overcome this restriction by tunneling the traffic through rendezvous servers.
Real-time collaboration is much a bigger area of desktop sharing use, and it has gained recent momentum as an important component of rich multimedia communications.
Desktop sharing, when used in conjunction with other components of multimedia communications such as audio and video, creates the notion of virtual space where people can meet, socialize and work together. On the larger scale, this area is also referred as web conferencing
Web conferencing
Web conferencing refers to a service that allows conferencing events to be shared with remote locations. Most vendors also provide either a recorded copy of an event, or a means for a subscriber to record an event. The service allows information to be shared simultaneously, across geographically...
.
Comparison of notable desktop sharing software
| Application/tool | Cost | Screen sharing | Remote access | Instant messaging | Share control | Video conferencing | File transfer | Operating Systems Supported | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GoToMyPC GoToMyPC GoToMyPC is a remote control software service that enables the user to operate their computer from another computer, over the Internet. Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, produces GoToMyPC.-Technology and business development:... |
$19.95/month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac | |||
| IBM Lotus Sametime IBM Lotus Sametime IBM Sametime is a client–server application and middleware platform that provides real-time, unified communications and collaboration for enterprises. Those capabilities include presence information, enterprise instant messaging, web conferencing, community collaboration, and telephony capabilities... |
$338.00 annual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux, Mac | |
| LogMeIn LogMeIn LogMeIn, Inc. is a public company that provides software as a service-based remote connectivity, collaboration, and support solutions to businesses and consumers.-Products:* LogMeIn Pro – subscription-based remote access and administration software... |
Free version available | Yes | Yes | ? | ? | ? | Yes | Windows, Mac, Smartphones | |
| Mikogo Mikogo Mikogo is a desktop sharing software application for web conferencing and remote support, and is provided by the online collaboration provider, BeamYourScreen GmbH.-History:... |
$19 - $25/month, free for non-commercial use | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux | |
| Nefsis Nefsis Nefsis CorporationType of Business Entity Private CompanyIndustryVideoconferencing, Web ConferencingFounded1998HeadquartersSan Diego, CA, USAKey peopleAllen Drennan, Founder, CTOSteven Peltier, CEOArea ServedWorldwideWebsite... |
Free version available | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux | |
| Netviewer Netviewer Netviewer AG is a German IT company headquartered in Karlsruhe. The company's software products Netviewer Meet, Netviewer Support, Netviewer Admin, and Netviewer Present provide web conferencing, desktop sharing, and remote maintenance capabilities.-History:... |
$39.90/month, free for non-commercial use | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac | |
| Skype Skype Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system... |
free | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux | |
| TeamViewer TeamViewer TeamViewer is a computer software package for remote control, desktop sharing, and file transfer between computers. The software operates with the Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, iOS, and Android operating systems. It is possible to access a machine running TeamViewer with a web browser... |
$749 - $2,690, free for non-commercial use | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android | |
| Techinline Techinline Techinline is a web based service for remote support, remote control, desktop sharing, remote training, and file transfer between two computers. The service operates with the Microsoft Windows operating system... |
$30/month, $20/5-session bundle | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Windows | |
| Webex WebEx WebEx Communications Inc. is a Cisco company that provides on-demand collaboration, online meeting, web conferencing and videoconferencing applications... |
45 cents per minute/per user | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux, Mac, Unix, Solaris, iPhone | |
| Yuuguu Yuuguu Yuuguu is a desktop sharing and web conferencing application and the software company behind it, Yuuguu Ltd., was founded by Anish Kapoor and Philip Hemsted... |
$19/month | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Windows, Linux, Mac |