I need a very simple method for a non-advanced user to share their screen explicitly when they need help. They’re running XFCE on Manjaro and the machine is using Tailscale.
I need something super simple, ideally just (1) install something, (2) pick something from the Applications menu and maybe (3) press a big “START” button.
It’s also ok-ish if the remote capability is present all the time and I can connect without their explicit permission, but you can see why it would be best if they did something to enable it…
I can do some setup for them if needed, like if the app needs some configuration for the first time, or alternatively I can make a panel button for them to run something in a terminal (provided the screen sharing stops when they kill the terminal window). But I’d prefer if it didn’t require any tinkering.
I’ve been looking for a solution but all I find is stuff that’s way too complicated OR starts a new desktop session instead of showing the current one.
TIA
Rustdesk, I use it for work
This seems very suspicious
I had luck using xpra for remote GUI access. Since the machine is already running tailscale, I assume you have the SSH access. That’s all that’s necessary and is much more secure than rustdesk and similar alternatives.
x11vnc -findwill find the first X desktop session and start a server on the first available port starting at 5900. By default, it’ll accept a single connection from any address. The server stops when the client disconnects unless the-foreveroption is set.You can send the user a script with all required options already set, or start it remotely through SSH.
Does it seem like VNC would fit your use case? TigerVNC is cross platform and reliable.
Rustdesk looks almost perfect, unfortunately they mandate using a complex password and the people who would be using this have trouble typing complex passwords. And complex passwords would not be necessary anyway with direct IP connection over Tailscale. Looks like they don’t intend to relax these requirements. Such a pity. 🙁
