Screen Sharing

Today’s technologies have advanced so much that the capabilities of computers have increased magnificently. Nowadays a computer can do multiple tasks at the same time and yet is only using a fraction of its total processing power. Because of this, a single computer can now become a host to multiple users through the application known as remote desktop sharing.

Remote desktop sharing can allow multiple users to access a host computer by using a remotely different computer. This application can allow users to work either through desktop sharing or through screen sharing. Screen sharing and desktop sharing are two terms that may appear to be synonymous, however there some differences.

Screen sharing is a software application that allows a number of users to view whatever is on the screen of the host PC. During a screen sharing session, a remote user has access to everything that is on the monitor screen of the host computer. The use of screen sharing is primarily to show remote users what the user of the host pc is working on. The remote users will not have access to files during screen sharing. One example of screen sharing use is by a science professor who wants to broadcast PowerPoint presentations to online students.

Desktop sharing on the other hand is an application wherein the power of the host PC is being divided to allow remote users to access files. Desktop sharing usually involves a host PC which will act as a server. This PC is connected through LAN to devices that will share the power of the PC. A device such as the Office Station, which is distributed by NComputing, is capable of dividing the power of a single PC into seven independent workstations. This device is connected to a keyboard, mouse and a monitor and will share the power of the host PC enabling each device to become an independent desktop.

During desktop sharing sessions, remote users will initially see the desktop screen of the host PC but will have further access to the entire host PC’s applications. Each remote user can use an application found in the host PC independently from other remote users. The host PC tends to serve as the server during desktop sharing applications. All files worked on remotely will be saved on the host PC’s hard drives.