Application sharing
Encyclopedia
Application sharing is an element of remote access
Remote access
In telecommunication, the term remote access has the following meanings:#Pertaining to communication with a data processing facility from a remote location or facility through a data link...

, falling under the collaborative software
Collaborative software
Collaborative software is computer software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve goals...

 umbrella, that enables two or more users to access a shared application or document from their respective computers simultaneously in real time. Generally, the shared application or document will be running on a host computer, and remote access to the shared content will be provided to other users by the host user.

Granting access

Access is typically granted in one of three ways, depending on the architecture of the application sharing software.

1. If the software allows the shared content to be accessed from the web, the host user will usually define and provide a username/password combination to the remote users he/she wishes to grant access to; they can then enter the log-in information on the appropriate website and access the shared material. One example of software that features application sharing in this manner is Qnext
Qnext
Qnext is a multi-protocol instant messaging service for Linux, Mac OS, Windows, and mobile devices. Qnext lets people connect to their digital content when they have access to the internet.Qnext desktop client runs on Linux, Macintosh, and Windows....

.

2. If the software is required on both ends to access the shared content, granting access will be governed by the mechanisms of that particular software, but will usually require some sort of user authentication as well. One example of software that features application sharing in this manner is MSN Messenger.

3. The shared content (being an application or entire desktop) can be accessed using a permission based software approach. This technique helps to ensure that the application or desktop being controlled cannot be accessed without direct live approval, helping to eliminate the security risk of taking control of a desktop when the user is not present.

Type of access

Once the applications or documents to be shared and whom they are to be shared with have been determined, there are generally two types of access that can be granted to remote users.

1. Control access – the host user allows remote users to actually control, edit, and manipulate the shared content; most application sharing software allows the host to revoke control access at any time. During the remote control session, keyboard and mouse are remotely controlled. Usually a hot key is provided to revoke access.

2. View access – the host user only allows remote users to passively view the shared content; remote users have no ability to edit or effect change in the shared content whatsoever.

Uses

1. Control access – this configuration is most widely used to facilitate collaboration by virtual team
Virtual team
A virtual team is a group of individuals who work across time, space and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by webs of communication technology...

s. Team members can collaborate on the same document, making instantly apparent changes in real-time.

Application sharing has been included in every version of Windows live messenger since 8.1 except for 8.2.

See also

  • Collaborative software
    Collaborative software
    Collaborative software is computer software designed to help people involved in a common task achieve goals...

  • Remote Assistance Software
    Remote Assistance Software
    Windows Remote Assistance is a feature of Windows XP and later that allows a user to temporarily control a remote Windows computer over a network or the Internet to resolve issues...

  • Remote access
    Remote access
    In telecommunication, the term remote access has the following meanings:#Pertaining to communication with a data processing facility from a remote location or facility through a data link...

  • Open-Xchange
    Open-Xchange
    Open-Xchange Server is an open source project sponsored by Open-Xchange, Inc., developing collaboration software; i.e. email, calendaring, address book, etc. Product offerings based on Open-Xchange Server are marketed under the brand of Open-Xchange Server and various other names, e.g. 1&1...

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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