Multiple remote users control one computer
 

My work colleagues and I travel a lot. We all use a program that is running on one computer in our office, so we use GoToMyPC and LogMeIn to control that computer remotely.

It works great - we find that one person can use GoToMyPC and another can use LogMeIn at the same time. It is like two people at the same keyboard, so we can work on the same project together as a team, or one person can use the computer while the other is taking a break.

The problem is that there are three of us, and sometimes all three of us need to remotely log in. Also, one of us sits on the other side of the office, so would like to be hooked up remotely to the computer all the time through the LAN.

Does anyone know any program like GoToMyPC/LogMeIn that is free, easy to use, and won't interfere with either of the other two? Or best yet, a program that will allow multiple simultaneous remote connections?

edit: I guess it doesn't have to be free! :)

VNC can be set up that way, to accept multiple simultaneous remote connections.

You can't collaborate within the same session thru VNC.

If you're looking for plainly multiple sessions, Unix/Linux would be the best answer. Otherwise, Windows Server.

can you ditch this microsoft operating.. and go with a real operating system?
any unix/linux based OS would make it easy for many people to access the
same system fairly easily... as long as your application/license allows you to do so.

Categorically disagree with VNC session sharing. I just tested that myself to verify. The Windows TightVNC package's VNC server provides for "automatic shared sessions" in its "Advanced" settings.

And given the description by the OP, he's definitely looking for shared session. Otherwise, I'd recommend Terminal Server or something. Or some Linux with remote X. But somehow I doubt that's within the realm of possibilities.

Edit: really, there's no need for bashing Microsoft's OS, pathetic as it may be. If three people need to work on a single PowerPoint presentation, or worse, AutoCAD diagrams, you don't have much of a choice but to use Windows.

Unfortunately no, the software we need is Windows only.

So are you saying TightVNC should work?

Yes.

Thanks, I'll give it a try and report back.

it works as advertised, unfortunately the text quality in the viewer isn't so great.

That's surprising. I have excellent output on VNC; then again, I'm used to using VNC in spectacular (localhost/virtualized) network connections. Have you tried dialing back the amount of compression being used? JPEG compression in particular can be brutal for text work.

Thanks! I played around with the compression settings on the TightVNC client and now it looks great.

I always use the options to restrict it to 8-bit color (256 colors) when connecting to one of my windows boxes with vnc.

On the options screen, under Display, check "Restrict pixels to 8 bits (for slow networks)".

The other interesting options, I believe, are on the server side (the machine you're connecting to) such as not displaying the background when a vnc session is active.

-David

I have used all of the above at one time or another but they all have their weaknesses. Last year our CITG (Chief IT Guru) purchased PC-Duo Remote Control for those of us that travel heavily. It will allow for the sort of collaboration you suggested and you can do John Madden-style drawing on the screen when working with others remotely. I have also used it for quick file transfers. Most importantly, unlike VNC or PCAnywhere this is secure enough that we do not run afoul of company and client security policies.

I think you can get a free trial from their website. Do a Google on 'PC-Duo'.

Good tips, thanks!

Put windows server on it. It can handle multiple connections.

... so can Windows XP. Not that it'd do the OP any good; Windows Server's Terminal Server is expressly not what was needed, but rather a way to share the same screen across multiple users. Windows XP Remote Desktop is the closest you'd find, but that doesn't provide the service for multiple users.

Just OK
 

Here's an update: Using TightVNC Server and View works great at letting multiple people connect to one computer, all at the same time.

However, my colleagues (on a LAN) are complaining that it doesn't refresh enough. They will use a program (like Excel even) and scroll around or make changes, and not see it on the screen. Sometimes they'll open up a program and just see the outline of the window, but none of the content.

As a result, they end up just logging in with GoToMyPC or LogMeIn, which both work great but only one person can use at a time.

Anyone have a solution to this? Is there a better viewer? Or a different flavor of VNC that will allow multiple simultaneous connections?

This likely occurs because the VNC server doesn't notice all the changes to the server's desktop. You might try changing the "capture method" in the VNC server settings to poll for changes rather than using hooks, if such an option is available. It is available in RealVNC; don't know about TightVNC but it's worth a look.

Windows Remote Desktop
 

Windows Remote Desktop comes standard with XP Pro and can be slightly modified to allow for multiple users to login simultaneously. More information and walkthrough:

http://sig9.com/articles/concurrent-remote-desktop

Possible to view/control remote computer as well as share files and sound. Excellent solution without additional software. I find it much quicker than VNC.

@ ttjoseph: hmm... no "capture settings" anywhere I can find on TightVNC. Maybe I'll find a different viewer.

@ driftings: WinXP simultaneous users on Remote Desktop is interesting; unfortunately I checked out the link and each connection must be logged in under a different Windows account - we are trying to be logged in and seeing the same thing on the screen.

For remote application use, UltraVNC is much better than TightVNC. It does a much better job of seeing screen updates, since it actually uses a video driver to watch the screen.

Thanks for that. I am testing out UltraVNC now. Do I have to enable some setting or plugin or something to use the video driver you talk about? Is it the "optional Mirror Driver"?

Yes, that's it.