A few months ago, Apple released a major update to Apple Remote
Desktop, its remote control application. I read the glowing reviews
and thought that the concept was great for large businesses - but
not really worth the effort for a smaller operation like mine.
I wasn't quite correct.
My office has three Macs (soon to be four). Since we are all in
a single 1,200 square foot office suite, moving to another Mac for
maintenance or updates is not too big of a hassle. That said, I'm
frequently called upon to look at something on another user's
screen, to help them with a task, or just to get my opinion on
something.
While moving to another Mac is fast, squeezing two people into
one workspace is a bit annoying.
Then there are software updates. Apple is very good about
promptly releasing security updates, feature enhancements, and bug
fixes, many of which require a reboot. This is the kind of thing
that's easier to do myself than to bother my staff to do. Apple
Remote Desktop (ARD) to the rescue.
Flexibility
ARD is very easy to use, picking up all networked computers in
its main screen, including many in adjacent offices that aren't
mine. It also allows viewing and controlling of VNC-enabled
computers running Windows and Linux, though I've not yet configured
our sole Windows PC for this. It will be great to be able to run
Windows on a real Windows PC within a window on my MacBook, however, so this is something
that I am excited about.
What I like most about ARD is that it lets me take control of
another computer and block out the screen from the user while
I'm doing it or let that user watch what I'm doing. I can
configure something with a password without any security risk using
"Curtain Mode" or visually show a user how to do something with the
screen unlocked.
That's terrific flexibility.
Perhaps my favorite feature is the ability to view miniature
versions of multiple computer screens at the same time in a single
window. I've not figured out a use for it yet, but it sure does
look cool. I can just picture some corporate IT guy or gal sitting
behind a 30" Cinema Display watching over the shoulders of tens or
even hundreds of unsuspecting users as they do all sorts of
non-corporate activities on company time. (This would be much less
cool as an employee than an employer.)
What impresses me most about ARD is that it's so fast and easy.
I can drag and drop files easily across computers, even do
Spotlight searches on the hard drive of another user's machine.
While not a proper instant messaging client, there is the ability
to send and receive text messages between any user and the
administrator.
What's impressive isn't the number of features, but how easy
they are to use. There is no printed manual, and I didn't even look
at the PDF one.
Full Value
ARD costs $300 for up to ten networked users, or $500 for an
unlimited number. I have the 10-user version.
I've rarely purchased software and felt that I got full value
for my money. There's a reason I don't own recent versions of
Photoshop and haven't bought iWork; as good as those applications
are, I just don't expect to get their cost out of them.
ARD is clearly an exception. Even if I don't need to help
another user, it's a very simple, fast, and easy way to put the
power of another computer to work without tying up my own. I can
use the fast G5 iMac in the front office to encode a video without
laying a finger on the machine. Even better, since I have ARD
installed on my MacBook rather than one of the desktops I can use
it when I get home to control the Power Mac in the den from
anywhere in the house.
Remote control isn't new, but its never been this easy or
integrated before. Good stuff.
Andrew J Fishkin, Esq, is a laptop using attorney in Los Angeles, CA.
