screen-sharing

A lot of instant messaging or tech-help software includes a feature for sharing your screen with other people. Unfortunately, not everyone uses the same applications, which requires one or more parties to download something in order to see the shared computer screen. Instead of worrying about creating new accounts or downloading software, ScreenLeap offers a super easy way to share your screen to any device, or look at someone else's shared screen. 

Note: This service requires Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which most users will already have. If not, it's a free download that is useful for other … Read more

Screen-sharing is that fascinating technology that lets you give any number of people a look at your desktop screen the way you see it now.

Many programs like WebEx and GoToMeeting offer robust solutions for companies who use screen-sharing to facilitate virtual meetings, while more-common apps like Skype and iChat integrate it into their software, too.

But if all you want to do is quickly share your screen (or see someone else's), Join.me (compatible with PC and Mac) is a free Web-based program that lets you share your screen, chat with viewers, and even allow others to control … Read more

When managing problems in OS X we sometimes limit ourselves to using the input methods we see in front of us: the monitor, the keyboard, and the mouse. If a problem happens on the system such as a hanging program, we will try to force-quit the program using the Option-Command-Esc hotkey, or even use Activity Monitor or the Terminal to do the same thing.

This approach to fixing problems assumes that your keyboard, mouse, and monitor inputs are working properly; what do you do if they aren't? A common solution is to force the system to restart by holding … Read more

While Apple includes a screen-sharing service in OS X to provide a remote desktop option, there are several other options available for implementing this in OS X, including TeamViewer, Timbuktu Pro, and chat programs like iChat and Skype. While these tools should allow you to control a Mac remotely, some may interfere with various system settings and prevent you from customizing aspects of your Mac.

Recently MacFixIt reader "Ed" wrote in asking us about a problem with using Timbuktu Pro to access a remote Mac, in which the system would revert any changed screensaver timing settings:

Ever heard the term "kludge"? It refers to a workaround, a cobbled-together solution to a problem. Usually, it ain't pretty, but it works.

Collect3's CoBrowser is a kludge, a way around Apple's limitation on apps that enable tethering. With it, a Wi-Fi iPad can tap an iPhone's 3G connectivity--no jailbreaking required. It's extremely limited, and it ain't pretty, but it works.

Just to clarify, CoBrowser doesn't actually tether your iPad to your iPhone. Instead, it shares the latter's screen with the former, and then only for Web browsing. Before you … Read more

The App Store is home to numerous apps that let you connect to a desktop PC from afar. Granted, navigating Windows on a screen as comparatively tiny as the iPhone's is not a lot of fun, but it works better than you'd expect.

Indeed, I've used remote-access (or "RA") software many times for simple tasks like e-mailing a file, peeking at a document, and even shutting down the PC (when I'm too lazy to walk down a flight of stairs).

My RA app of choice? LogMeIn Ignition, which works even better on the iPad … Read more

When connecting to a computer using Apple's "Screen Sharing" feature, you may run into a problem where the system pauses and shows the spinning color wheel and does not connect. The problem happens immediately after authenticating the connection, and usually shows a black "Screen Sharing" window along with the color wheel.… Read more

Generally when screen sharing you are connected to another system and are served whatever is being output to the monitor. In the sharing preferences you can select which accounts can use this feature, but there is nothing you can change about the overall functionality of the feature, which is to display the current contents of the screen to a remote location. Despite this, one user mentioned a small glitch that enabled him to essentially log in to the remote system in a separate account, and not see what was displayed on the remote screen.… Read more

Skype, the solid chat, VoIP, and videocam software has been around for awhile now on the Mac and we have already sung its praises for its free computer-to-computer long distance. Call clarity has always been quite good and if you have one of many available USB handsets, you know it's just like talking on a regular phone. For a little extra money through the company's pay-as-you-go or monthly subscription services, you can call cell and land lines and the prices are fairly affordable. But today, Skype for Mac got some new features that definitely make it worth updating … Read more