Things You'll Need:
- A Mac computer with iChat software
- An account with AIM
- An Internet connection
- It is helpful if your computer has speakers
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Step 1
Both you and the person you are helping have to be set up properly to do this, so make sure you both have an Instant Messenger account with AIM.com (AOL Instant Messenger). This is free and easy to sign up for.
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Step 2
In iChat Account Setup window, choose AIM Account and then enter the screen name and password for each account. Your friend uses their account name and password on their computer's iChat. You use your own on your computer's iChat.
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Step 3
In iChat, choose Buddies > Add Buddy. Each of you adds the other as a buddy.
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Step 4
Your friend must enable sharing. In iChat, choose Video > Screen Sharing Enabled.
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Step 5
When helping a friend remotely, start a conversation in iChat. With the person's name selected in your buddy list, click the little icon at the bottom that looks like overlapping screens to Start Screen Sharing. Select Ask to Share nnnn Screen. For nnnn you would see your friend's screen name. Your friend must click Accept to OK this.
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Step 6
After clicking to Accept, your friend should not touch the mouse or keyboard. You will be in control of his or her screen. Your buddy has the same access to your computer as you do to his. Both of you can do things such as open folders and share files, but since you are trying to solve a problem or explain something, it may be easier for your friend to just watch. During screen sharing, iChat automatically opens an audio chat, so you will be able to talk while this is going on.
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Step 7
You can switch between viewing your screen and your buddy’s screen. You can also copy files between your computer and your buddy’s by dragging them from one desktop to the other.
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Step 8
To end a screen sharing session, press Control-Escape.
