1.5.6. TeamViewer 4

With an install base of about 15 Million TeamViewer is one of the most widely used remote desktop apps today. It has several different view options as well as an easy to use ID system and interface. It is currently still being supported and best of all it’s free.

It should be noted that TeamViewer works on both Mac and Windows and comes with a range of options crucial to our project.

Good Features

• Allows the ability to switch between whose controlling whose screen. This gives the professor the ability to switch instantly between writing on the students screen and having the student right on his screen.

• Built in support for recording and playing back sessions

• Easy ID system eliminates the need for IP Addresses

• Provides many of the basic features needed such as Display Names, partner list, etc.

• Runs fast on both ends

• Overall it’s a lightweight program with a wide range of features.

• No installation needed, just run standalone exe

• Firewalls don’t interfere

• Presentation mode is perfect for lectures

• Multiple users can log in and be invited through a buddy list

• File transfer abilities provided

• Multiple OS support

Bad Features

• Free version of Team Viewer only available for private use, anything else requires commercial version

• File transfer can be a bit troublesome, 1 in 3 tests did not work

• No easy way to automatically save changed files to client

Missing Features

• No whiteboard feature for easy drawing and collaborating

• No notes feature while in remote desktop

• No extra tools such as highlighting, drawing, layers, etc. Strictly a good presentation or remote desktop software