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We created RemoteView.mobi to solve a problem often presented at home and work: what can I do to 'see' what an end user is seeing when they are having a problem. Often a mother, friend, end user is in some remote place behind several firewalls and does not have Administrative access. It is quite hard to walk someone through solving their problem when they can't explain what they see and we can't even guess what they are doing. By creating such a simple method for transmitting the screen contents over http it allows us to help without forcing the user to modify their system.
All you need to do is ask the remote end user to download Capture.exe and run it from any location they like(even right from temoprary internet files). Then, you login to Login, ask them for the session name off the remote machine and you can see the JPG images that they transmit. Takes less than a minute!
Question 1: What programs are most similar to RemoteView?
Answer 1: RemoteView can easily be compared to Remote Desktop(RDP) which is native to Windows or Livelook. The largest bebefit of RemoteView is that you don't have to be an administrator, requires no install, very small, makes no filesustem or registry changes, and is free. The Capture.exe is also not network aware(doesn't listen on any ports) and so can't be attacked from the outside like RDP or Java technology.
Here's how they differ:
| On the Host (or "Broadcaster" running the Capture.exe) |
|
RemoteView |
Remote Desktop(RDP) |
LiveLook |
| Requires Signup |
No |
No |
Yes |
| "Java Based Technology" |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Cost |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Administrator Rights to setup |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| CPU Load |
Very little |
Low |
High |
| Bandwidth consumed |
Very little |
Medium |
Medium |
| Security Risk |
None |
High |
High |
| On the Listener(who is merely watching) |
|
RemoteView |
Remote Desktop(RDP) |
LiveLook |
| Requires Signup |
Yes |
No* |
Yes |
| "Java Based Technology" |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Cost |
No |
No |
Yes |
| Administrator Rights to setup |
No |
Yes** |
Yes |
| CPU Load |
Very little |
Low |
High |
| Bandwidth consumed |
Very little |
Medium |
Medium |
| Security Risk |
None |
High |
High |
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* = Local credentials are required for access to Host.
** = If be required if not already installed.
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Question 2: Do I need to change any firewall rules for RemoteView?
Answer 2: No firewall rules will need to change on the Host or clients. Everything is a simple http POST or a GET method. Instead of using a streaming protocol that loses definition, the picture is uploaded using typical FORM POST method.
Question 3: How much bandwidth will I need for RemoteView?
Answer 3: Very little bacdwidth is necessary even when maintaining a highly active window. Screenshots are throttled one of the following scenarios: 2 sec, 10 second, 1 minute or only when 'Forced' to capture and transmit the screen.
Question 4: How can you give this tool away for free?
Answer 4: Right now,I just want to get feedback and improve on it. Bandwidth is not a concern for us and we know it solves a serious problem that IT people face.
Question 5: Why the name ".mobi"?
Answer 5: Someone already had RemoteView.com and .net. We really like the name and chose to use .mobi because it makes no difference in the end.
Question 6: What triggers a Host screen capture and upload for the Client to see?
Answer 5: The screen captures are triggered in one of three ways:
...... A "Startup" capture is the first screen capture when the binary is launched.
...... An "Interval" capture occurs when the timer has reached it's limit(2,10 or 60 seconds) and checks to see if the screen has changed. If no change, no capture either.
...... A "Forced" capture can be done using the F8 on a keyboard. Periodically it is useful to start a capture and change the capture interval to "Forced Only". Then when you get to a point that needs to be visible to your Clients, hit F8 and they will see it.
Question 7: Do I have to capture the entire desktop?
Answer 7: No, you can switch the Capture on the Host to only use the top-most Active window. The images will be smaller and may not show the mouse.
Specifics
There are two distinct actions that one can do with RemoteView: Capture client on the Host or the listeners why are actually just watching their browser. You can download and run the Capture.exe without logging in or anything. Once you download it, you will want to run it on a Host machine(Win2000,XP, 2003 OR 2008) and look in the system tray for the 'Session Name'.
For a person(or muntiple people) to watch the session, they need to sign up and be given your Session Name. You can email, IM or speak the session name to potential 'Clients' who will really just be watching the remoteview.mobi page reload the newest screen captures. The Clients have no options to do or control anything on your machine. It is a 1-way communication.
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