How to Use Remote Desktop in Mac OS Panther

Teachers, seminar leaders and system support professionals can use Apple's "Remote Desktop" to both monitor and control the activity of networked users, right from their desktops. In this way, a teacher can demonstrate to a user how to perform a certain task, while someone who manages a Mac network can distribute software, manage users' computers and monitor every aspect of network activity.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Remote desktop application
• Ethernet (recommended)

Use Remote Desktop in Mac OS Panther

1. Ensure that you have a working network and that all computers are turned on.

2. Check that you have the most current version of "Remote Desktop" components installed. You will install the "Client" package on to the networked computers and the "Admin" package on your computer.

3. Open "System Preferences" on the administrator's Mac, and click on the "Sharing" icon (third icon group, under "Internet & Network").

4. Highlight the first (left-most) tab, "Services," and check the box next to "Remote Desktop" (third item from the bottom of the list).

5. Highlight the second (middle) tab in the "Sharing" window, "Firewall," and confirm that "Remote Desktop" is activated in the list window. Its activation will not be affected by the "Firewall" status and will work whether the "Firewall" is on or off.

6. Install the "Remote Desktop" application, or locate the installed copy on your Mac in the "Applications" folder.

7. Take a moment to study the layout of the application. You will have many options, including such key features as remote spotlight searches, use of dashboard widget(s), custom "Automator" actions, "Auto Install," a secure "Curtain" mode, full supported remote drag-and-drop, system "Status Indicators," users' application "Usage Reports" and "History Reports," smart "Computer Lists" and customizable "Task Templates."

Tips & Warnings

• Apple Remote Desktop 3.x is a Universal Binary application that runs on both PowerPC- and Intel-based Macs.
• All of the components required for connectivity are included in the OS Panther 10.3 installation (or are available as ongoing upgrades available for download), but the application must be purchased separately from Apple.
• Do not attempt to remove (uninstall) "Remote Desktop" as it is an integral part of the OS Panther, not an add-on or optional feature.
• If you need to uninstall "Remote Desktop" for maintenance reasons, perform a full backup of your computer first and seek additional support assistance.
• Safeguard the application password and only give it out to essential workers. Should the password be misplaced or fall into the wrong hands, every computer in your network could potentially be compromised.