Controlling Another's Computer

How does one, using Windows XP, cause their machine to take over another's machine's screen so one could demo a web site on their machine and the remote machine could see the Demo site but not retain any info from it?

I tried DimDim but it was way too slow. 

 

There are 2 parts to your question. Number 1 is to demonstrate something in such a way that it cannot be retained. The second part is a way to remotely take over someone else's computer to demonstrate software or a presentation.

 

Let's look at the second one first. While I never have used the Microsoft Desktop. In XP you need to have at least XP Professional on your end. I don't believe that it's necessary for the remote site to have XP or Professional. Take a look at Microsoft's page for more info http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/mobility/getstarted/remoteintro.mspx

 

Also look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrPoOeOLMek for a video that shows how to set up remote connections.

 

Those pages pretty much step you through the process. The drawback comes with all of the security that we all have. A hardware or software firewall might be a barrier and there is no way to tell if that is the problem. I had a client that insisted on using PC Anywhere, a long used 3rd party software that does remote connections. We were never able to pierce the firewall or IP address problem, while someone else was able to get through to his computer, using all of the same settings. So, there is no guarantee that it will work.

 

As far as keeping someone from capturing any data, it is virtually impossible. Even doing the remote control, there is nothing to stop the person at the other end from clicking on the print screen button for later retrieval or even taking digital pictures with their camera.

 

If you can't trust the other party, then I would say that your only alternative to to personally meet with the other party and demonstrate on your computer, in person. While PDF protects you in some ways and digital watermarks can help with photos, there is no way way to share information and preserve that information.

 

Basically, if it's on the screen, it is open game!

 

I like Team Viewer. With the permission of both parties, either one can login to the other and share/control their desktop. It can be one way so the person you log into doesn't have the ability to control your computer.

 

Also a number of the conferencing programs share desktops and let you run/demonstrate programs. Hewie: why not post a link to your spreadsheet here?

 

Mike & I tested Team Viewer today. It is very easy to set up to control a computer at the other end or to use your computer to demonstrate. However, your wanting to be able to keep the viewer from retaining any of the info is impossible. As the viewer, I was able to use Snippet in Vista, or I could use Snagit or any screen capture program

at will, including even using the Print Screen key.

 

However, I am impressed with TeamViewer for supporting another user remotely. There are lots of settings to improve the screen by sacrificing speed or vice-versa.