Submitted 1 year ago by lambda@programming.dev to linux@programming.dev
I have a few family members that I help support. For instance, I installed Linux Mint on my grandmother’s PC. She doesn’t know any different and my young cousin doesn’t understand it so he finally stopped giving it viruses. I used to use TeamViewer to take over her PC when she needed support but I got my account banned because they believed I was using it commercially. Oh well!
I have Tailscale installed on the computers. This gives me SSH access. What would you suggest? RDP? Something else?
I believe that Linux Mint supports RDP, built in. You just enable it in the System Settings. Is that not workable?
In my experience, RDP locks the screen for anyone at the physical machine. It sounds like OP is wanting a simultaneous screen sharing.
That’s odd. It does not lock the local user out on Ubuntu, and allows simultaneous use.
I think that screen lock is really only the case in Windows. Most linux vnc servers either run their own completely separate X session or share the console session.
I hadn’t tried it yet. I was just asking to get a census of what’s popular before I dug in too deep.
Gotcha. As usual with Linux, there are lots of ways to crack the nut. I would be inclined to go with the built-in option, in this case. Less likely to break.
Check out rustdesk, would that suit?
I’ll look more into it. Multiple have suggested it now
The thing about rustdesk is I don’t see how I could run it unless I am at the computer. Ideally, I’d like to be able to take control without having to walk through like, "look for an app called “rust desk”. Is there a way to open a desktop application through SSH so that it opens on their open desktop?
Alternatively, you could set rustdesk to run on startup/login, so neither you nor the user needs to manually start it.
I’ve not run it on that platform, I would imagine they have similar capabilities in the Linux version.
It runs in portable mode by default, as you suggest this means it needs to be run each time.
So for unattended windows machine I installed it as a service and activated a permanent password for it. Problem solved!
You could try Steam remote play, it shares the desktop like what you’re asking, but would require a bit if setup (custom “game” added which would expose the entire desktop for e.g…
Other tech that could work includes VNC over your tailscale tailnet. It shares the screen without locking out the in-person user.
Insightful thanks!
Perhaps rustdesk. It works as a server /client model, and you can self host the server. Works quite well.
Do you run it personally? How luggage is the server?
I do, and I’ve used it for a customer.
Server is a VPS running several other services and it doesn’t load them much at all. I think the server provides the handshake, and the rest is done on the two clients.
If you really want a GUI, TightVNC over an ssh tunnel.
I also had my TeamViewer account flagged as commercial. I just appealed and they reinstated with no issues. You could try that.
I use meshcentral to manage a few (like 6) computers and do remote assistance. Best solution for your usecase imo.
I looked at the documentation for that. It looks like exactly what I want. I’m between that and Rust Desk…
onlinepersona@programming.dev 1 year ago
VNC over SSH and you should be set.
You can forward the VNC port with a local port forward e.g
ssh -L $yourPort:localhost:$vncPort $grandmasMachine. Then open Remmina (or KRDC, or some other VNC client).I do hope your grandma has good upload speeds though.
Bless you for spreading the word of the penguin and being the support of your family. Props to you.
lambda@programming.dev 1 year ago
Thanks for the info and link.
I don’t need any props. I’m not spreading any word. It’s for selfish reasons. My grandparents only use the web browser, so they don’t know/care what an OS is. The reason I did it in the first place was my cousin kept trying to install Minecraft Mods and giving them viruses. XD