Discussion:
Remote support software
Mike Lichtenwalner
2012-02-10 14:14:44 UTC
Permalink
Hi All,

We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection of virtual classes to our high school students for several years. The classes are created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would like to be able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does anyone know of a product that meets the following criteria:

- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to initiate the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the student's computer without his/her knowledge.)

Any and all suggestions are welcome!

Thanks!
Mike


__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
Jim Kinney
2012-02-10 15:00:46 UTC
Permalink
By "support" do you mean "support of computer operations" like how to do
something in OpenOffice? So a student would hit a web page to request help
and a support person can then remotely see/controll their desktop?

In short, client-less and cross platform is an oxymoron. Each system will
require it's own method to share desktop bits.
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Hi All,
We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection of virtual
classes to our high school students for several years. The classes are
created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would like to be
able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does
- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to initiate
the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the student's
computer without his/her knowledge.)
Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Mike
__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
--
--
James P. Kinney III

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky

http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
Mike Lichtenwalner
2012-02-10 15:14:42 UTC
Permalink
Yes, that is the definition of support I am using.

I understand that client-less is impossible. My hope is that the client would install automatically in the background so that students would not need to visit one site to download/install a client, then launch the client and verbally provide a pin of some kind to allow the teacher/tech to access the computer. The workflow I'm hoping for is:

- Student visits a website.
- Student clicks a link to initiate a support session.
- Client downloads, installs, launches, and asks if it is OK to allow the teacher/tech to control the computer.

Maybe this is just a dream...:-)
Post by Jim Kinney
By "support" do you mean "support of computer operations" like how to do
something in OpenOffice? So a student would hit a web page to request help
and a support person can then remotely see/controll their desktop?
In short, client-less and cross platform is an oxymoron. Each system will
require it's own method to share desktop bits.
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Hi All,
We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection of virtual
classes to our high school students for several years. The classes are
created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would like to be
able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does
- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to initiate
the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the student's
computer without his/her knowledge.)
Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Mike
__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
Jim Kinney
2012-02-10 15:26:53 UTC
Permalink
OK. Dream bordering on hallucinations!

The only cross-platform client will be vnc-based. It does support a
permission to remote enter option. Getting a kid to use a download and
install this app will never work because if the child can already do that,
you've found out the beginning of the problem with their machine :-)

I would look at providing a web-based vm/thin-client for them to do their
school sanctioned work with.
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Yes, that is the definition of support I am using.
I understand that client-less is impossible. My hope is that the client
would install automatically in the background so that students would not
need to visit one site to download/install a client, then launch the client
and verbally provide a pin of some kind to allow the teacher/tech to access
- Student visits a website.
- Student clicks a link to initiate a support session.
- Client downloads, installs, launches, and asks if it is OK to allow the
teacher/tech to control the computer.
Maybe this is just a dream...:-)
Post by Jim Kinney
By "support" do you mean "support of computer operations" like how to do
something in OpenOffice? So a student would hit a web page to request
help
Post by Jim Kinney
and a support person can then remotely see/controll their desktop?
In short, client-less and cross platform is an oxymoron. Each system will
require it's own method to share desktop bits.
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Hi All,
We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection of
virtual
Post by Jim Kinney
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
classes to our high school students for several years. The classes are
created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would like
to be
Post by Jim Kinney
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does
- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to
initiate
Post by Jim Kinney
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the
student's
Post by Jim Kinney
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
computer without his/her knowledge.)
Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Mike
__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
--
--
James P. Kinney III

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky

http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
David L. Willson
2012-02-10 17:04:53 UTC
Permalink
I've used Yugma, WebEx, RDP, and many sorts of VNC-based solution for remote support. Each one has advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, the one closest to the sweet-spot between ease-of-use, installation, features, cost, and platform freedom, is Yugma. The price of WebEx gives me rage. The lack of platform-independence of RDP gives me rage. The wild and hairy world of VNC'ish solutions gives me rage. With Yugma, the only thing that's hairy is the initial install. The rest is bliss.

David L. Willson
Trainer, Engineer, Enthusiast
RHCE MCT MCSE Network+ A+ Linux+ LPIC-1 NovellCLA UbuntuCP
tel://720.333.LANS
Freedom is better when you earn it. Learn Linux.

----- Original Message -----
Post by Jim Kinney
OK. Dream bordering on hallucinations!
The only cross-platform client will be vnc-based. It does support a
permission to remote enter option. Getting a kid to use a download
and install this app will never work because if the child can
already do that, you've found out the beginning of the problem with
their machine :-)
I would look at providing a web-based vm/thin-client for them to do
their school sanctioned work with.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 10:14 AM, Mike Lichtenwalner <
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Yes, that is the definition of support I am using.
I understand that client-less is impossible. My hope is that the
client would install automatically in the background so that
students would not need to visit one site to download/install a
client, then launch the client and verbally provide a pin of some
kind to allow the teacher/tech to access the computer. The workflow
- Student visits a website.
- Student clicks a link to initiate a support session.
- Client downloads, installs, launches, and asks if it is OK to
allow
the teacher/tech to control the computer.
Maybe this is just a dream...:-)
Post by Jim Kinney
By "support" do you mean "support of computer operations" like
how
to do
something in OpenOffice? So a student would hit a web page to
request help
and a support person can then remotely see/controll their
desktop?
In short, client-less and cross platform is an oxymoron. Each system will
require it's own method to share desktop bits.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 9:14 AM, Mike Lichtenwalner <
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Hi All,
We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection
of virtual
classes to our high school students for several years. The classes are
created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would
like to be
able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does
- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to
initiate
the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the
student's
computer without his/her knowledge.)
Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Mike
__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see < http://www.k12os.org >
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see < http://www.k12os.org >
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as
they please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the
outcome.
- 2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
Patrick Fleming
2012-02-10 23:12:35 UTC
Permalink
I recently ran across Teamviewer: http://www.teamviewer.com/en/index.aspx
It is cross-platform and dead simple to use. Yes, the student has to
give you the ID and PIN. Free for non-commercial use, not open-source.
It's what I use when I don't have complete control over the end system.
Post by David L. Willson
I've used Yugma, WebEx, RDP, and many sorts of VNC-based solution for remote support. Each one has advantages and disadvantages. In my opinion, the one closest to the sweet-spot between ease-of-use, installation, features, cost, and platform freedom, is Yugma. The price of WebEx gives me rage. The lack of platform-independence of RDP gives me rage. The wild and hairy world of VNC'ish solutions gives me rage. With Yugma, the only thing that's hairy is the initial install. The rest is bliss.
David L. Willson
Trainer, Engineer, Enthusiast
RHCE MCT MCSE Network+ A+ Linux+ LPIC-1 NovellCLA UbuntuCP
tel://720.333.LANS
Freedom is better when you earn it. Learn Linux.
----- Original Message -----
Post by Jim Kinney
OK. Dream bordering on hallucinations!
The only cross-platform client will be vnc-based. It does support a
permission to remote enter option. Getting a kid to use a download
and install this app will never work because if the child can
already do that, you've found out the beginning of the problem with
their machine :-)
I would look at providing a web-based vm/thin-client for them to do
their school sanctioned work with.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 10:14 AM, Mike Lichtenwalner <
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Yes, that is the definition of support I am using.
I understand that client-less is impossible. My hope is that the
client would install automatically in the background so that
students would not need to visit one site to download/install a
client, then launch the client and verbally provide a pin of some
kind to allow the teacher/tech to access the computer. The workflow
- Student visits a website.
- Student clicks a link to initiate a support session.
- Client downloads, installs, launches, and asks if it is OK to
allow
the teacher/tech to control the computer.
Maybe this is just a dream...:-)
Post by Jim Kinney
By "support" do you mean "support of computer operations" like
how
to do
something in OpenOffice? So a student would hit a web page to
request help
and a support person can then remotely see/controll their
desktop?
In short, client-less and cross platform is an oxymoron. Each system will
require it's own method to share desktop bits.
On Fri, Feb 10, 2012 at 9:14 AM, Mike Lichtenwalner <
Post by Mike Lichtenwalner
Hi All,
We are a K12 district which has been offering a small selection
of virtual
classes to our high school students for several years. The
classes are
created/delivered using OSS - Moodle, OpenOffice, etc. We would
like to be
able to offer our students remote support at home if they need it. Does
- Open source
- Cross platform (Windows, Mac, Linux) for the teacher and
student
- "Client-less" (Ideally, the student would visit a website to
initiate
the remote support session - NO chance of an adult accessing the
student's
computer without his/her knowledge.)
Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Thanks!
Mike
__________________________________
Mike Lichtenwalner
Coordinator of Technical Services
Manheim Township School District
Lancaster, PA
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see < http://www.k12os.org >
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see < http://www.k12os.org >
--
--
James P. Kinney III
As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as
they please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the
outcome.
- 2011 Noam Chomsky
http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
_______________________________________________
K12OSN mailing list
https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/k12osn
For more info see <http://www.k12os.org>
Barry R Cisna
2012-02-10 23:33:15 UTC
Permalink
Mike,

BigBlueButton
This piece is fairly easy to setup now. It has come a long ways in the
last two years. if you want a total solution for what you are
requesting,I would say this is the best i have seen. I am out in the
sticks,though!
And of course,,it HAS to be free,,Ya!

It does work very fast now that many refinements have been made. The
downside is you mostly need a dedicated server for this piece.
We do run this as a VM and works fine on a decent server,too!



http://www.bigbluebutton.org/

Take Care,
Barry

Loading...