T101.6 - Screen Sharing and Remote Support |
This technology is intended to bring folks closer together and to reduce stress. Original software developed in the late 90's and 2000's started getting gobbled up making it harder in the 2010s to benefit. There are some new offerings out from Google that should help stabilize, neutralize or keep in check the greedy commercial ones that gobbled up the original offerings.
This page has the following sections
This page has the following sections
- Uses
- Client-Server Lingo
- List of Common Software Tools for Screen Sharing and Remote Access
- Remote Desktop - RDP X (limited application)
- LogMeIn X
- LogMeIn/Join.me X
- LogMeIn/GotoMeeting (previously Citrix) -- X
- Team Viewer Maybe but old tech that is overly complex...
- Chrome Remote Desktop (remotedesktop.google.com) [preferred if it meets your needs]
- Google Meet (meet.google.com) [preferred if it meets your needs]
- Summary
1) Uses
Screen sharing is used for several reasons
We are jamming two (arguably three) distinct topics together in this section. When you get into this in more detail, the software used for Teleconferences is actually an entirely different family than that for one on one machine screen sharing, which is related to remote access for unattended machines.
BUT the conference stuff can bleed into the one-on-one sharing, thus we've jammed together for introduction.
- Seminars and Virtual conferences -- The seminar speaker typically designates a URL and other join in with or without a password
- One on one Education and Training -- The teacher may want to initiate the conversation and grant access to his/her screen for the student, or it could be the reverse, which is more like a tech support session, where the teacher logs into the students computer
- Real Time Tech Support -- When one person needs to help another, the person who needs help grants access to a person seeking access to their screen for support purposes. The helper may initiate that or the person being helped may initiate depending on the software used.
- Remote Computer Management -- A person may be in charge of managing another computer. In this case, the software used needs to be able to gain access to the other computer even if there is no person at that other computer
We are jamming two (arguably three) distinct topics together in this section. When you get into this in more detail, the software used for Teleconferences is actually an entirely different family than that for one on one machine screen sharing, which is related to remote access for unattended machines.
BUT the conference stuff can bleed into the one-on-one sharing, thus we've jammed together for introduction.
2) Client-Server Lingo for Remote Access
In olden days there were two easily discernible parts to remote access software. There was client software and there was server software. Server software was also referred to as Host software. (So client is by itself -- server and host are interchangeable, and that's confusing because in the real world a server often times works for a host -- it is not comparable to a host..)
The machine being logged into would get the server/host software and the machine being used to log into the 'server'/'host' was the client. If a machine was both a target machine (a server/host) and also used to log in to other machines (a client), it would/could have both the client and the server software loaded or you would load a version of the software that contained both of those components.
Server software "listens" for client requests. In order for it to work, it has to be active and running on the machine, and for that it is often times setup to run in the background -- and when it is, it's often referred to as a 'service'.
Some software, like Team Viewer, still has discernible client and server/host versions, but much is now fully browser based, and it is a little harder to see the moving parts of the client server paradigm, although they are all still in play.
The machine being logged into would get the server/host software and the machine being used to log into the 'server'/'host' was the client. If a machine was both a target machine (a server/host) and also used to log in to other machines (a client), it would/could have both the client and the server software loaded or you would load a version of the software that contained both of those components.
Server software "listens" for client requests. In order for it to work, it has to be active and running on the machine, and for that it is often times setup to run in the background -- and when it is, it's often referred to as a 'service'.
Some software, like Team Viewer, still has discernible client and server/host versions, but much is now fully browser based, and it is a little harder to see the moving parts of the client server paradigm, although they are all still in play.
3) List of Common Software Tools for Screen Sharing and Remote Access
Please note, these are NOT in the order of recommended use. The are more in the order of historical relevance, and most that came first are now far less relevant (desirable) for various reasons.
- Remote Desktop - RDP ( I use this for my managing my webserver only -- admin work only. I never log into another persons machine with this)
- LogMeIn (beautiful, simple user interface - a technology gift that got hijacked - I don't use this anymore, too much $$$ and too much greed)
- LogMeIn/Joinme (I never used this -- I used Goto Meeting... but no more)
- LogMeIn/GotoMeeting (I used this for easy meeting - no digital white board - but no more...)
- Team Viewer (After LogMeIn went rouge, I used this for logging into the machines of others. It had/has a client for unattended remote access. I could use it to log into my own machine if I was away from it. Difficult to get loaded and running and overly complex compared to LogMeIn. Then graphics people started manipulating the front end making it harder to find the pieces parts needed for use. no more... )
- RemoteDesktop.google.com (I use this for logging into the machines of others and it has an unattended access component if desired. )
- Meet.Google.com -- Finally came of age in the 2018 time frame. This is an alternative to far more popular tools like Zoom.
- Skype, Zoom, and a bunch of others in this family of teleconferencing...
4) Remote Desktop - RDP
Built into MS Windows is something called Remote Desktop (click start and type Remote Desktop to find it). Sometimes this is refered to as RDP (Remote Desktop Protocal). This by default is client software for logging into other Microsoft machines. In the client interface you would enter a web address like remoteaccess.soulpropguide.com or an IP address, and as long as the remote desktop software on teh target machine was active in server mode (listening mode/host mode), you would be issued a login screen to use windows security to login. One problem with using this as a typically computer user is that your computer is likely on a small private wired or wireless network behind a router, and in order to connect to it from outside of that network, you'd also need to setup some pathways through your router. This is most commonly used by individuals in the technology field who use it to login to and manage web servers and virtual private servers, both of which are always accessible via IP addresses or web urls thus, the private network thing is not an issue.
5) LogMeIn
Logmein.com was one of the first commercially available web based tools for logging into remote machines and logging into your own machine from a remote location.
The mastered a simple interface and non commercial users got free accounts, so this was the industry standard for many years. Around 2012, they decided they no longer wanted to service the free users. The free users went bonkers and most eventually found their way to Team Viewer, which was a far more complex solution for comparable use.
=== Red Bullet 1 - LogmeinPro, Central, Rescue===
The had 4 primary product offerings -- Logmein (free software), Logmein Pro (paid version of logmein), Central and Rescue. As you can see in the box with the (1) they now only advertise 3 products. There is no free version anymore.
A) Logmein is about logging in from one computer to another. You could setup up multiple computers with the host/server software and then you could log into those from any other computer. This system works around the RDP shortcomings related to private networks and it was not limited to PCs.
B) Central is for administering to and managing a lot of computers on a networks
C) Rescue enables you/tech support folks to issue temporary server software to users to enable you to log into their machines for tech support purposes.
=== Red Bullet 2 - LastPass ===
They bought Lastpass in 2015. That likely isn't good for paying Lastpass users.
=== Red Bullet 3 - Join.me ===
They own join.me. Seemingly a competitor to GotoMeeting...
=== Red Bullet 4 - GotoMeeting.. ===
Logmein bought out Goto family of products, which were Citrix products in 2016. So now they are competing against themselves with the join.me products. And you are now looking at a monopoly in the making.
The mastered a simple interface and non commercial users got free accounts, so this was the industry standard for many years. Around 2012, they decided they no longer wanted to service the free users. The free users went bonkers and most eventually found their way to Team Viewer, which was a far more complex solution for comparable use.
=== Red Bullet 1 - LogmeinPro, Central, Rescue===
The had 4 primary product offerings -- Logmein (free software), Logmein Pro (paid version of logmein), Central and Rescue. As you can see in the box with the (1) they now only advertise 3 products. There is no free version anymore.
A) Logmein is about logging in from one computer to another. You could setup up multiple computers with the host/server software and then you could log into those from any other computer. This system works around the RDP shortcomings related to private networks and it was not limited to PCs.
B) Central is for administering to and managing a lot of computers on a networks
C) Rescue enables you/tech support folks to issue temporary server software to users to enable you to log into their machines for tech support purposes.
=== Red Bullet 2 - LastPass ===
They bought Lastpass in 2015. That likely isn't good for paying Lastpass users.
=== Red Bullet 3 - Join.me ===
They own join.me. Seemingly a competitor to GotoMeeting...
=== Red Bullet 4 - GotoMeeting.. ===
Logmein bought out Goto family of products, which were Citrix products in 2016. So now they are competing against themselves with the join.me products. And you are now looking at a monopoly in the making.
== Pricing History ==
The pricing on Logmein has gone through the roof. Basically they got folks addicted to their interface and their tools, much like Apple and now they just keep upping the pricing. When the first ditched the free solution, a paid solution for up to 2 computers was something like $99/year. Then it went to $149/year and now it's at $249/year, for 2 computers. Up to 5 computers is 600/year and up to 10 is 1100/year.
The pricing on Logmein has gone through the roof. Basically they got folks addicted to their interface and their tools, much like Apple and now they just keep upping the pricing. When the first ditched the free solution, a paid solution for up to 2 computers was something like $99/year. Then it went to $149/year and now it's at $249/year, for 2 computers. Up to 5 computers is 600/year and up to 10 is 1100/year.
== Summary ==
Logmein is a publicly traded company (LOGM) and and they bought out the "GoTo" family of products in 2016. Unfortunately, it appears they are trying to monopolize on some aspects of the technology industry. Keep an eye on lastpass pricing as that will likely be affected and watch future acquisitions for further monopolization buyouts.
Logmein is a publicly traded company (LOGM) and and they bought out the "GoTo" family of products in 2016. Unfortunately, it appears they are trying to monopolize on some aspects of the technology industry. Keep an eye on lastpass pricing as that will likely be affected and watch future acquisitions for further monopolization buyouts.
6) LogeMeIn / Join.me
At the bottom of the logmein website you will see they also own Join.me.
This is their competitive solution to compete against "gotomeeting" which they now own as well...
I saw an add indicating join.me had free accounts, but they make it hard to figure that out once there...
on their pricing and plans page, the only reference to free account is under the Pro ad where they say "All Free features plus..." See red bullet 1.
To view details related to their free account, click on the link to compare plans (see red bullet 2).
This is their competitive solution to compete against "gotomeeting" which they now own as well...
I saw an add indicating join.me had free accounts, but they make it hard to figure that out once there...
on their pricing and plans page, the only reference to free account is under the Pro ad where they say "All Free features plus..." See red bullet 1.
To view details related to their free account, click on the link to compare plans (see red bullet 2).
Their free account becomes active after a 15 day trial with their Pro account.
In general, these folks are a very "investor centric" company.
While their products are beautiful works of art, I'd encourage you to find other solutions as these folks are nothing but about monopolization based on my observations.
The reason I put these first is because Logmein is the name many still hang onto as the market leader, so I wanted to show you where they are prior to moving on to the others that I'd suggest using if at all possible.
In general, these folks are a very "investor centric" company.
While their products are beautiful works of art, I'd encourage you to find other solutions as these folks are nothing but about monopolization based on my observations.
The reason I put these first is because Logmein is the name many still hang onto as the market leader, so I wanted to show you where they are prior to moving on to the others that I'd suggest using if at all possible.
7) Logmein / GotoMeeting...
Gotomeeting was a Citrix company until bought out by LogMeIn. We are now dealing in a very monopolistic marketplace.
There is a free version of this... see (1).
With the free version, you get a url...
http://www.gotomeet.me/yourName
You can send folks there and they can click to join your in a meeting. You get desktop sharing, audio and chat. I don't believe you get any whiteboard tools which are really valuable.
I used logmein for many years. I finally cancelled my account due to cost in 2017, and I used logmein so long, I can never remember the url for my own GotoMeeting account...
There is a free version of this... see (1).
With the free version, you get a url...
http://www.gotomeet.me/yourName
You can send folks there and they can click to join your in a meeting. You get desktop sharing, audio and chat. I don't believe you get any whiteboard tools which are really valuable.
I used logmein for many years. I finally cancelled my account due to cost in 2017, and I used logmein so long, I can never remember the url for my own GotoMeeting account...
8) Team Viewer
Team Viewer is the vendor free LogMeIn users flocked to when Logmein announced the end of free use in mid 2010s. Unfortunately, it was required more setup for a Rescue and remote IT management application, so the most basic uses were not as intuitive, and just getting the proper client/server/host software loaded was very confusing
To be clear, it was/is an incredibly powerful tool, but they just didn't have the interfaces and download packages designed for non-technical user understanding.
They have since upgraded/simplified their site/service. Truthfully, it still isn't as easy/intuitive as logmein, but they are more customer centric, and that wins out in this case for sure.
If you are looking for free version, you simply click on (2) and it will take you to a download
To be clear, it was/is an incredibly powerful tool, but they just didn't have the interfaces and download packages designed for non-technical user understanding.
They have since upgraded/simplified their site/service. Truthfully, it still isn't as easy/intuitive as logmein, but they are more customer centric, and that wins out in this case for sure.
If you are looking for free version, you simply click on (2) and it will take you to a download
=== QuickSupport and QuickJoin ===
If you scroll down the home page you will see this -- and this makes life much easier for those wishing to provide assistance to less technical folks as well as those seeking to have meetings with others.
Again, this is on the HOME page.. and it's view-able in PCs and Macs, but NOT on Chromebooks due to technical reasons.
If the person you are assisting clicks on quick support, a small server/host application will download -- they'll then be presented with info to be given to the person seeking to provide support and that will provide access to their machine. If the goal is to load teamviewer onto somone elses machine for regular use/access, then this system can be used to gain initial access, and the remote admin can then download and install team Viewer in full.
=== Blizz ===
Blizz appears to be a partnership between Team Viewer and Blizz to enable larger meetings (up to 300 people) as compared to team viewer max support (25 people). I don't have any experience with this at this time.
If you scroll down the home page you will see this -- and this makes life much easier for those wishing to provide assistance to less technical folks as well as those seeking to have meetings with others.
Again, this is on the HOME page.. and it's view-able in PCs and Macs, but NOT on Chromebooks due to technical reasons.
If the person you are assisting clicks on quick support, a small server/host application will download -- they'll then be presented with info to be given to the person seeking to provide support and that will provide access to their machine. If the goal is to load teamviewer onto somone elses machine for regular use/access, then this system can be used to gain initial access, and the remote admin can then download and install team Viewer in full.
=== Blizz ===
Blizz appears to be a partnership between Team Viewer and Blizz to enable larger meetings (up to 300 people) as compared to team viewer max support (25 people). I don't have any experience with this at this time.
=== Web based Admin ===
This is the web based admin console for Team Viewer. Every time I come to this I feel like I'm missing some functionality. I don't see things that I feel like I should be seeing because I am use to LogMeIn. Also the preference towards network admin throws me off as that is not what I use this for, but the functionality for that is everywhere.
This is the web based admin console for Team Viewer. Every time I come to this I feel like I'm missing some functionality. I don't see things that I feel like I should be seeing because I am use to LogMeIn. Also the preference towards network admin throws me off as that is not what I use this for, but the functionality for that is everywhere.
=== More Confusion -- 2 Software Components (a host/client combo and a client only) on my Windows Machine ===
Below is an example of the type of confusion encounterd with Team Viewer software components. When I go to my windows start menu and type "Team Viewer" I actually am seeing two options for Team Viewer. One says Team Viewer 12 and the other just says Team Viewer. I've opened both on the screen below.
Below is an example of the type of confusion encounterd with Team Viewer software components. When I go to my windows start menu and type "Team Viewer" I actually am seeing two options for Team Viewer. One says Team Viewer 12 and the other just says Team Viewer. I've opened both on the screen below.
- The one on the upper left (that looks like two windows teathered together) is a combination of Host and Client software interface.
- The one in the lower right is a client utility only -- and it is on my machine because I have the team viewer extension loaded in Chrome...
=== Their master Server/Host - Client Software Interface -- Too much disconnected info in one view, but it works once you figure out what's what... ===
I think one of the biggest problems i have with this interface is that these items all showing on this screen are typically found "on separate areas of a admin section" Most especially the box in the bottom labeled (5)....
1) The screen you are on (1) ...
2) Screen sharing admin interface (2) -- comparable to goto meeting...
3) A way to view computers in your account (but getting into your account is funky, and this window is shown and hidden via the >> symbol in the bottom right corner of the left window). It would be a lot more intuitive if this screen was shown and hidden from something int he top right corner of the left window... but they didn't ask me...
I think one of the biggest problems i have with this interface is that these items all showing on this screen are typically found "on separate areas of a admin section" Most especially the box in the bottom labeled (5)....
1) The screen you are on (1) ...
2) Screen sharing admin interface (2) -- comparable to goto meeting...
3) A way to view computers in your account (but getting into your account is funky, and this window is shown and hidden via the >> symbol in the bottom right corner of the left window). It would be a lot more intuitive if this screen was shown and hidden from something int he top right corner of the left window... but they didn't ask me...
4) Host -- Attended Access -- This is your "Server/Host" Authentication Information for attended access -- When you want to allow someone to control your computer, this gives you a computer ID and password for that type of support. The other computer will reach out to the team viewer network and it will locate this computer with this info and it will use the password for authentication.
5) Host -- Unattended Access - This is the password you would use for unattended remote access -- -- this is a password you'd enter if you wanted to access this computer from another Team Viewer client -- but one confusing part here is that it makes you think you might need the computer ID to do that too.. when in fact, this is a password you'd use if you clicked "connect" from your own web console (I think...) This box has no header and while in theory it is related to Allow Remote Control, it is all rather confusing with their presentation of it (UPDATE: This has changed some in version 12)
6) Client Interface -- This is their client logon interface
While it's nice all of this is "in front of the user" the design choices for information presentation are not inline with what most of us are seeing in fully web based programming, and that in fact makes it confusing in an odd way until you get the hang of it. Not using tech terms like Host Attended, Host unattended and Client interface for something like this in fact makes it more confusing as opposed to less in my opinion. (but again, nobody asked me)
5) Host -- Unattended Access - This is the password you would use for unattended remote access -- -- this is a password you'd enter if you wanted to access this computer from another Team Viewer client -- but one confusing part here is that it makes you think you might need the computer ID to do that too.. when in fact, this is a password you'd use if you clicked "connect" from your own web console (I think...) This box has no header and while in theory it is related to Allow Remote Control, it is all rather confusing with their presentation of it (UPDATE: This has changed some in version 12)
6) Client Interface -- This is their client logon interface
While it's nice all of this is "in front of the user" the design choices for information presentation are not inline with what most of us are seeing in fully web based programming, and that in fact makes it confusing in an odd way until you get the hang of it. Not using tech terms like Host Attended, Host unattended and Client interface for something like this in fact makes it more confusing as opposed to less in my opinion. (but again, nobody asked me)
=== Meeting ===
When you click on the Meeting Icon (1) below, you will see (2) Host Meeting and (3) Join meeting. Straight forward enough, but remember to join a meeting you can also just go to the homepage of their website too.
BTW, click on the >> where (4) is , and you will toggle that extra panel to the right on and off...
When you click on the Meeting Icon (1) below, you will see (2) Host Meeting and (3) Join meeting. Straight forward enough, but remember to join a meeting you can also just go to the homepage of their website too.
BTW, click on the >> where (4) is , and you will toggle that extra panel to the right on and off...
=== Summary ===
This does everything logmein and rescue does combined. Incredibly powerful. It just takes a little getting use to the user flow.
This is where you need to be if you want to avoid the Logmein Monopoly.
This does everything logmein and rescue does combined. Incredibly powerful. It just takes a little getting use to the user flow.
This is where you need to be if you want to avoid the Logmein Monopoly.
=== Pricing ===
The have a very interesting business model that is not commonly seen with webservices these days -- you pay one price for a license and you have it forever. That said, licenses start out at $849... so this aint cheap, but they offer their free version for use, and they simply expect business professionals who are using this for commerce to allow karmic law to encourage payment.
The have a very interesting business model that is not commonly seen with webservices these days -- you pay one price for a license and you have it forever. That said, licenses start out at $849... so this aint cheap, but they offer their free version for use, and they simply expect business professionals who are using this for commerce to allow karmic law to encourage payment.
9) Google - Remote Desktop
FINALLY. SOMETHING "FREE" AND STABLE THAT SHOULDN'T GO ANYWHERE SOON...
Chrome Remote Desktop is a browser extension. Until you get use to the concept of Chrome Apps (and I still am not...) one of the hardest things with these kinds of tools is simply finding it in chrome...
This was out for year with zero marketing. You couldn't even find it in the Chrome Store. It was found via word of mouth. Even as late as 2017 it was still very basic with some confusing issues. That seems to have been mostly cleared up. This is the tool I use and it has met my needs. Still missing a few pieces, but hopefully have found a simple home for most needs.
http://remotedesktop.google.com
Chrome Remote Desktop is a browser extension. Until you get use to the concept of Chrome Apps (and I still am not...) one of the hardest things with these kinds of tools is simply finding it in chrome...
This was out for year with zero marketing. You couldn't even find it in the Chrome Store. It was found via word of mouth. Even as late as 2017 it was still very basic with some confusing issues. That seems to have been mostly cleared up. This is the tool I use and it has met my needs. Still missing a few pieces, but hopefully have found a simple home for most needs.
http://remotedesktop.google.com
10) Google - Meet
The market for teleconferencing is massive. Many of the competitors were introduced above. Those that are still independent with massive followings include Skype (Microsoft) and Zoom. Google lagged behind with a tool that got rebranded in 2018 to join the fold.
http://meet.google.com
This has met my needs. It's relatively straight forward, although some may need about 10-20 seconds of coaching to find the right buttons for certain items needed.
Finally, another option that should remain stable.
http://meet.google.com
This has met my needs. It's relatively straight forward, although some may need about 10-20 seconds of coaching to find the right buttons for certain items needed.
Finally, another option that should remain stable.
11) Summary
My life was easier when LogMeIn had a free and affordable license. Everything I needed for computer to computer access was in one place with a sweet web based backend that was magnificent. Bringing new people up to speed on all of this technology was very easy. It is not as easy now, but thankfully, folks like Team Viewer and Google are still supporting smaller commercial users. That is something we should all really appreciate.