Performing Online Real Time Tutorials - What do I need ?

Loafer · Jul 22nd, 2004, 01:24 PM

I'm looking to put together an online user group for a 3D modelling program and wanted to know if anyone has had any experience with this kind of software. Ideally someone could log into my IP address and watch my desktop and my voice too would be nice. Any ideas ?

Thanks!

MannyP Design · Jul 22nd, 2004, 01:57 PM

That's a toughie... I've heard of apps that allow you to post a screen shot of your desktop via an IP address (or something to that effect), but I doubt it would be as robust or as quick (let alone have audio) as something that would broadcast your desktop in realtime for a web audience.

http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos...ities/spy.html
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macos...tecapture.html

Macaholic · Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:25 PM

I used to use Spyy to help newbie mac users do things on their Mac. I'd have them run SpyOSX and I'd watcch by refreshing a web browser which would take and post screenshots. It worked, but only gave me static screenshots.

Then, I tried Chicken of the VNC, with the nOOb running VNC Server. This allowed realtime display of their remote desktop PLUS I was able to manipulate their computer. Me doing things was slow -- especially resizing a Finder window!! But, for passive viewing this, in concert with an iChat group chat, might work for you.

Check out the offerings on this Versiontracker search page.

EDIT: Hmm.. after reading the uer reviews for these apps at versiontracker, I'm going to give "Share My Desktop" (a server) and "VNCDimension" (a client) a spin. Opinions are they're faster.

TroutMaskReplica · Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:31 PM

Macaholic, how slow was it? I'm interested in chicken of the VNC so that I can help my GFs parents along on their road to mac fanaticism (macaholism?) - a journey which they've only just begun.

Macaholic · Jul 22nd, 2004, 02:39 PM

TMR, it was usuable for menu commands -- and key commands are (thankfully) available and (thankfully) quick. This wass between my hotrod Sawtooth and a 1GHz G4 iMac, both on Rogers. Regardless of speed, it's handy in a pinch.

They're all free to use. The server/client combo I used wa OSXvnc (server) and Chicken of the VNC (client). Might try Share My Desktop (server) and either VNCDimension or VNCViewer (clients) next time, as comments are they're faster.