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Ask Slashdot: Easy, Open Source Desktop-Sharing Software?
N8F8 writes "Like many IT professionals, I provide a lot of free help desk-type support to friends and family. I've decided to expand my support work and create a site where veterans can receive free computer help. I'm using OSTicket for the ticket reporting. What I really need is an easy to use desktop-sharing system. In the past I've used TeamViewer because it is easy to use, but it is not really free for non-personal use. Recently I switched to Meraki Systems Manager because it is free — and it uses VNC — but unfortunately it isn't intended for the one-time-use type support I'll be offering. So I'm looking for a reliable, open source, easy to use desktop-sharing solution that I can set up on my site for people to join one-time-use help desk sessions."
I think join.me is free.
Personally, I would just send the company behind TeamViewer a mail; explaining your case and see if they're willing to give you some leaway in this case.
TeamViewer is an amazing piece of software that works really, really well.
It's worth a shot, right?
join.me. Incredibly simple. Free. No install. FTW.
ChunkVNC + Instant Support is great and can be found here: http://www.chunkvnc.com/ Do yourself a favor and click the "Help" at the top of the page to get to the forums and look for rat's 4.0 fork.
Basically what you do is run a repeater on an internet accessable box, use the scripts to customize and create a small (2mb usually) "instantsupport.exe" that you can link on a website somewhere, and then when the user runs it, they either pick a support technician, or get an ID number that you use to connect to them, through the repeater, using the chunk viewer.
The X windowing system is designed to be used on a network. Look it up. It might not be the schmanciest thing on the block, but you can do a lot with it.
Log Me In Rescue is really the best. It's extremely well made. You just direct the users to logmein123.com - type in the 6 digit code you give them and you're off to the races. It's not open source or free.... but it's the best for what you want to do here.
Which is why I chose to purchase Citrix GoToAsssist Express. You can reboot in safe mode and it will reconnect you automatically. No free software does that.
But that's what I do, you asked about free. So you could always setup a VNC gateway. The agent connectects to the VNC gateway to initiate the connection, bypassing the firewall by initiating the connection from inside the customer network.
But seriously just buy GoToAssist Express. Because it make the job so much easier and saves so much time that it makes it worth the price.
Rate the requirements:
Sharing the victim's desktop with support staff
Ease of installation
Cost
Efficiency and responsiveness
Security
Multi-platform server support.
Multi-platform client support
Reliability
Handling of non-7-bit-ASCII characters, such as Ctrl characters or Unicode
Shared consoles
Nothing is going to do all of that, well, for free. NX, at www.nomachine.com, is surprisingly good and free for non-business use. But you're a business.
bleeding edge, but is cross platform and can be interfaced with your site seamlessly
The problem with slashdot is that most of its users were bullied and stuffed into lockers as kids!
UltraVNC Single Click is a small (Win) executable customized to connect the user to your address. You run VNC Viewer in "listen" mode. It's very simple to use, doesn't require installing, can be downloaded by the user or sent via email (if they can receive .exe files), works through user NAT. I've been using it for years, directed to my dynamic IP via dyndns. You can customize what the user client looks like. Don't know if it works with Win8 though, and it doesn't work for users running OSX or Linux.
I just open a port on my FW, and use a reverse VNC setup with a listening viewer.
The other guy connects to a listening viewer to my IP.
You could prolly find a portable-executable vnc server and roll it up with a launcher to call it with appropriate args like your IP.
THL phish sticks
http://join.me/
It is free, no account necessary and does what you need. It is web browser based so it doesn't matter what OS you are on.
There's Dayon!(http://dayonhome.sourceforge.net/) which I've used before. It uses Java, and can be deployed using Java's Webstart, so no applet-issues. You can set up an easy to communicate website which provides the jnlp and binaries for webstart. All you need to do then is setup a port forward on your end. I helped plenty of non-techies with this, fully cross platform.
However... It's not the fastest, it will crash at times, and I guess with the new and heavy Java security restrictions even for webstart things get more complicated. Still, I like the idea of using Java for this, which has proven to work.
I use a custom build of the old version of PcHelpware, from the creators of UltraVnc. Not the new version, but the old version. The old version of PcHelpware lets me pick the port number, so I can get through restrictive firewalls that only allow well-known port numbers.
However, it's still a bit buggy on Vista/Windows 7, specifically, it crashes whenever a UAC prompt appears. I made a workaround for this, I replaced the main EXE with a stub version that disables UAC when you run it, and reenables UAC after it exits. I also got rid of the Login and Password prompt, because it's completely nonsensical and worthless.
When you want to support a PC, you just tell someone to download the EXE from your website, and run it. And guide them through the process of adding it to Norton's or Mcafee's exclusion list, reassuring Internet Explorer that it's okay to open EXE files, etc.
Google published a remote desktop plugin for the Chrome browser. It's not Open Source, but it is free (as in beer), and professionally written installation / setup instructions are available in multiple languages.
Actual remote access for you will be controlled by the user, they create a one-time passkey in Chrome and share that with you to connect to their system.
Here's the plugin page: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-remote-desktop/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp
Here's the support page: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/1649523?hl=en
For non-technical users adding a browser plugin is going to be much easier to understand than messing around with port forwarding and system permissions.
Thanks to Chris Fisher and same.io
OpenMeetings is an Apache Foundation project. Java-based client. The feature set is overkill for support, but it supports voice chat and screen sharing.
First you need to define what veteran means. Old farts like me that have been around since 1959 and on the Internet since 1995 and also in the industry for 20 years ~ or vets RAMBO style.
If they are like me, then what is it for? If it is for the other, the a Uzi would suffice with a redirect to "I'll be back"
It should be called "Old farts that don't have a clue"
It's free software, it runs on Mac, Windows, and a variety of Linuxes, it has built-in text and audio chat. The only setup needed is to register an XMPP account on jit.si and then enter that account name and the password in Jitsi the first time you start it.
The downside is that it's written in Java and, at least on Debian, uses a butt-ugly widget theme that doesn't seem to be changeable.
For helping friends/family, I like ShowMyPC.com. Both of you go there and download/run an EXE. Once it launches, they click to generate a code that they give to you and you connect using it. It's VNC-based and nothing to install.
I too am in the market for such a support tool, but I am past my rigid requirements for open source and have made my requirements far more simple.
1. Inexpensive.
2. Viewer must work from a Linux workstation.
3. Must work well.
So far I have been using LogMeIn Free, Ultra VNC SC(Single Click), Join.me and other failed attempts. None of these solutions have provided all of my requirements.
UltraVNC SC - Poor quality/reliability connections freeze, color consumes too much bandwidth, UAC is a nightmare, no persistence through reboots, encryption is hard. The ONLY thing going for it is that it is free and can be viewed from Linux.
LogMeIn Rescue - This is a great solution, but the cost for me is too high.
Bomgar - I really want this. But the cost is WAY too high for a single man shop.
GoToAssist - Expensive and windows only viewer.
Right now, I am preparing to try Screen Connect. The one time cost is acceptable and the promise is great. Hopefully they deliver on the promise that it works well.
And no, just because you're providing free services to vets doesn't mean I don't think you should pay your share. Too many people try to demand "free" just because they're a "charity." If you're not a *registered* charity, pay your share.
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
don't you mean free as in price? i'm new to this whole open source software stuff terminology.
Check out Pertino.com, a network as a service startup. You can set up a free account for three devices forever. If you need to expand past three devices at the same time, then Pertino has become valuable to you.
At a minimum, you get a very easy to use (and administer) private, secure network between you and whomever you invite onto your network, so you can do Remote Desktop, VNC, X, or whatever else you choose for you and your family to use without resorting to GotoMyPC, WebEx, etc. (mind you, all of those solutions are valid Desktop Sharing services, too) . But you can also do NFS, SMB, FTP, etc. for file sharing. Or anything: you finally have a virtual private network where you and your remote clients/family get a LAN-like experience in the cloud.
Full disclosure: I work there, so I am hopelessly biased. The value I see in this solution is that it is easy and secure for everyone, covers mobile and desktop, and allows you to try almost any solution out there to solve your needs because you have a peer to peer network with remote devices.
My opinions are my own, but you may share them!
VNC, take your pick of which variant. How could anyone remotely in contact with the open source world not know about VNC?
Please compare and contrast your system to the LogMeIn group's Hamachi.
What you describe sounds similar to Hamachi. Is this the case? If so, what do you think makes yours better?
Google Chrome has a little known extension from Google called Remote Desktop that may fit your requirements. I think it's open souce as part of chromium. It requires some non open-source Google services to operate, though (nat traversal, authentication, looking up remote assistance invitations etc).
He's a 'pathetic leech' for trying to reduce his business expenses? He's not complaining about it not being free, just looking for other options.
UltraVNC Single Click, use it all the time
http://www.uvnc.com/products/uvnc-sc.html
He may have something that he knows was/is being used currently...
WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
Some of my clients are *registered* charities and several of them have more money than my clients who are regular businesses. Being a *registered* charity doesn't mean they are poor. On the opposite side, one of my "for profit"client just went bankrupt and he lost a lot of personal money. So who do you think should pay their share again?
As for me, I thought about buying a license for TeamViewer or LogMeIn, to use them "professionally" (i.e. asking to be paid for the service), but the price is insane. If was using the product everyday it wouldn't bother me, but I need this kind of things about 4 or 5 times a year. So that's basically between 100$ and 200$ for a 5 minutes intervention. It cost me a lot less to take my car and go on site or to simply use the integrated windows remote desktop.
You are an imbecile.
But, Chromium/Chrome has plugin for remote desktop. I don't know license of plugin, but it's there, easy to install, i tested it on Linux, should also work on Linux. It's easy to use. It's not running in normal server/client model, in a sence, that server is some google service, but it does what says on the tin. Though I have my privacy concern here. Its UBER easy, mom tested. (I have gentoo, mom's laptom Linux Mint) You only need plugin, which is easy to install, and chromium on both computers. No need for registration. On one end auto generated key on another this key is accepted.(so you need to make a phone call or VOIP out)
I use locally a set of scripts that remotly install a vnc, start it, connect to it and uninstall it on the end.
For more remote access, i use both teamviewer or jitsi.
Jitsi is a XMPP cliente in java, with great support for VOIP and Video, and allows remotly control the computer... so it's easy to start a session for people that i'm connected.
with a little script, you can ask to run a url that runs the jitsi, configure it (asking a name+email probably) and starting a chat. You can then ask for remote control the machine.
yes, teamviewer is simpler, but with jitsi you can control all the process
Higuita
Use the -display option on your app. Don't forget the suffix :0.0.
an ill wind that blows no good
Have you checked what TeamViewer actually charges? It's a very reasonable fee for something you expect to be using every day.
So, yes, leech if that paltry sum is "too much money."
I do not fail; I succeed at finding out what does not work.
By far the easiest and cheapest would be to have them be running Google Chrome and install the remote desktop app. They need to just fire it up, have it generate a code, and give you that code that you plunk in your end. It's fairly fast, secure (one-time codes), and works on mac, linux, and windows.
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/chrome-remote-desktop/gbchcmhmhahfdphkhkmpfmihenigjmpp?hl=en
Linux programmers drink a lot.
Google published a remote desktop plugin for the Chrome browser. It's not Open Source, but it is free (as in beer)
Actually, it is open source. BSD licensed, and it's included in the Chromium source.
It's very easy to use, fast and reliable. I use it daily to connect to my desktop machine at work.
Note to ACs: I usually delete AC replies without reading them. If you want to talk to me, log in.
Crossloop is free, we've been using it and it works on VNC behind the scenes. One-time access code for each session.
http://www.joelonsoftware.com/items/2007/01/26.html
I know it's not free, but you can host the software on a linux box (even a cheap VPS will do nicely) and their pricing is *significantly* better than team viewer/etc, especially in bulk,. I also know they offer heavily discounted non-profit pricing.
It's mainly designed for the "run it for a few minutes, solve the issue and automatic uninstall when done" model.
The problem with join.me/teamviewer, is that the person has to read you numbers off the screen before you connect.
With Screen connect, they just run the app and you are automatically connected to the support rep.
I really like the way their software works because you can setup a "one click" installer, send them a webpage to pick a queue or make a separate queue for each rep. It works great between restarts and with UAT, as well has the option of letting you securely store the users password (so you don't have to keep asking them each time and the user doesn't have to tell you what it is either).
http://www.screenconnect.com/
I thought every IT guys like me hate doing desk support. It's stupid!
If some people can't figure out how to use computer by RTFM or Internet, they should stop using it and crawl back to the caves they come from.
I am still amazed at how people can recommend 1990s technologies like VNC and NX.
Things have moved on quite a bit since then, and those two technologies have not.
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Not open-source, but if you are looking for a remote desktop software that is 100% free and really cross-platform you should give NoMachine a try. I'm using it to access all my Mac machines at home and it works really really well. Before I was using the built-in Apple Remote Desktop. ARD is good and fast, but you don't have sound, no mounting of remote devices. If it was possible, NoMachine is even faster and has it all. I don't know how these guys are doing it but it really kicks ass.
I think NoMachine is one of those companies that have been damaged by their initial Linux footage. The products are good and basically there is nothing really comparable in the OSS world (except products based on their own NX software e.g. freenx, x2go, neatx, that is at least interesting), but at the same time they are bashed all the time for not being "more free". They have now servers for Windows and Mac. What I understand is that they are trying to move away from Linux. This is not a good news for the Linux world.
Do you have any proof of that? AFAIK there is very little remained in NX about the original X Window roots. They have ditched X completely even before Wayland developers decided to do it. While they have terminal servers for Linux that use X, the new version works on windows and mac and uses video encoding everywhere. This is no different compared to what OnLive or the NVidia Shield are doing.
Google Chrome, do it, and do well! And its free. You need only to install a plugin in Chrome. You can also, use Google Hangout, which has some sharing facilities. All is free and works.
I have used crossloop for a long time. Simple download, works with mac and windows. From my system as the viewer, I was able to get it to work after some fiddling with it using wine. It makes an outbound connection from the end user, so you don't have to worry about punching a hole in the typical end users router. They also have advertising facets on their website where you can list yourself as a professional in certain areas and people looking for help can connect to you for support that way too (I never bothered to list my services there, so I don't know how well that portion works). http://www.crossloop.com/index.jsp
Two kinds of free:
Free as in "Free Speech"
Free as in "Free Beer"
Usually shortened to "Free as in Beer" and just "Free." By definition, an open source project must be the first kind of free, but need not be the second kind. Things can be the second kind of free as well, or both. A lot of open source projects are both.
Can you be Even More Awesome?!
They have ditched X completely even before Wayland developers decided to do it
There is just no other way of providing native OSX or win32 servers! It wasn't a great act of foresight. (using an X11 proxying protocol for OSX and win32 servers would be a very dumb thing to do, a complete nightmare and a waste of development effort)
The reason why I did not consider NX v4 to be included in my statement is that it is approximately 6 weeks old... It is closed source and the "free" version is a bit crippled (maybe not so crippled as to make it unsuitable for the OP though?). v3 (abandonware) is the only version that one can install on a Linux box using open-source repositories.
More importantly for me: with their history of closing source (even where the delta compression algorithm wasn't even theirs to begin with...), I wouldn't go near it.
This is no different compared to what OnLive or the NVidia Shield are doing.
It is a bit (though the encoding technology is the same - I'll give you that): what makes OnLive and Shield usable is the low-latency/high-quality video achieved through hardware assisted encoding (and xpra does this too), NX does not do that AFAICT.
TODO: 753) write sig.
I've been using a paid service from http://www.techinline.com/ that's fairly easy for even a neophyte to use. The price is under $30 a month, paid quarterly, and works pretty well, They have a standalone host and a browser plug-in, either of which is available by a simple web link. I can install the viewer on as many PCs as I need (in practice, my desktop and laptop PCs) and view/control as many different hosts as I need, as long as I'm only connecting to one of them at a time under my login.
I don't know if they have a Linux port.
(Disclaimer) I am the author of this software and its in beta at the moment, but it might fill your needs maybe even now, but perhaps long term. (if you have specific requirements, please let me know on our forums and we can accommodate.)
http://blits.me
There is just no other way of providing native OSX or win32 servers!
Are you implying that intercepting the DirectX or the OpenGL command stream is not a legitimate way? There are always different ways to do something, until one comes up with a better way. After that everything becomes obvious. About ditching X, I don't remember NoMachine to have ever been very active in the X development. Maybe they had come to the same conclusions long time before, but, you know, X was what was used on Linux...
even where the delta compression algorithm wasn't even theirs to begin with...
This seems a bit unfair for people that, with their open source work, sparked at least a dozen of clones. Anyway if you are talking about dxpc, the compression NX is famous for has little to do with the original dxpc differential compression and is all about caching, that was completely novel and absent in dxpc.
what makes OnLive and Shield usable is the low-latency/high-quality video achieved through hardware assisted encoding (and xpra does this too), NX does not do that AFAICT.
I don't know what the secret sauce is, but AFAICT it is quite usable here. Fortunately now that xpra, NoMachine, OnLive and NVidia have all settled on the same technology we'll see who will provide the best solution. I think a remote display system is much more than encoding the display, so there is probably space for everybody. I just don't think one should badmouth other software to push the solution one likes more.
Replying to myself because the OpenGL link is wrong. I meant this.
Only used it once or twice, but it was really easy to use.
Are you implying that intercepting the DirectX or the OpenGL command stream is not a legitimate way?
Not at all, it is. I am saying that designing a network protocol for forwarding desktop pixels from OSX or win32 desktops and using X11 semantics would be a mind boggingly stupid idea, which is why they have not done it.
This is also why directing criticism towards X11 is very much misguided, it may have its flaws but this is certainly not what drove them to make the decision to switch.
This seems a bit unfair for people ... that was completely novel ...
Which technology was their creation and which one wasn't is not really the issue for me, taking an open-source product and making it closed-source is what I am talking about.
And I don't like it one bit. I think potential customers should be very wary of such business practices.
have all settled on the same technology we'll see who will provide the best solution
Using hardware is key, you can halve the latency and keep bandwidth usage lower (and this is one trick NX does not have AFAIK).
And VNC (in all the incarnations that I know of - of which there are many..) just doesn't do video at all.
I just don't think one should badmouth other software to push the solution one likes more
Apologies if this came across as slander. One man's "badmouth" is another man's fact, a question of perspective I guess?
(ie: availibility of features and latency/performance numbers don't lie)
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In my opinion, the one that is easiest, requiring the "fewest clicks" by the enduser is http://join.me/
-- Betting on the survival of the media industry is a serious risk. I advise investing elsewhere.